The Indian film industry is experiencing a dynamic shift, with South Indian cinema challenging Bollywood’s traditional dominance. The year 2025 showcases a competitive landscape, with both Bollywood and South Indian films achieving notable success. Vicky Kaushal’s ‘Chhava’ is currently leading in terms of earnings, giving Bollywood an edge.
Five Bollywood films have performed exceptionally well in 2025. ‘Chhava’ made a strong start, setting the tone for the year. ‘Saiyaara,’ a romantic drama, also surprised with its box office success. Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan have also contributed to the list of successful films. However, the South Indian film ‘Kantara Chapter 1,’ starring Rishab Shetty, poses a threat. It is expected to potentially be the first 1000-crore film of 2025.
The South Indian film industry also delivered impressive results, with five films making their mark. ‘Coolie,’ starring Rajinikanth, stands as the highest-grossing South Indian film of the year. ‘Mahavtar Narasimha’ and ‘L2 Empuraan’ also performed well. Pawan Kalyan’s ‘OG,’ which was recently released, is expected to join the list with a strong opening and the potential to cross 400 crores.
Among the top-performing films, ‘Chhava’ starring Vicky Kaushal is currently leading the way. This film is inspired by the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and achieved great success domestically and internationally, earning over 800 crores. Although it did not hit the 1000-crore mark, its performance has remained unmatched for nine months. However, ‘Kantara,’ starring Rishab Shetty, is considered a strong contender.