India’s film industry kicked off 2025 with a record-breaking start, largely driven by the Sankranthi holiday season and an exceptional performance from Telugu cinema. The month’s total domestic box office earnings soared past INR 10.13 billion ($116.6 million), with a significant portion contributed by Telugu-language films. Leading the charge was “Sankranthiki Vasthunam”, a genre-defying blockbuster featuring veteran star Venkatesh, which raked in an impressive $23 million, making it the highest-grossing film of the month.

According to data from Ormax Media, three Telugu films – Sankranthiki Vasthunam, Game Changer, and Daaku Maharaaj – collectively amassed over $55 million, solidifying the industry’s stronghold over the festive period. Telugu cinema alone accounted for 44% of January’s box office revenue, underscoring its dominance during the Sankranthi festival, traditionally a lucrative window for major releases.

Telugu Films Lead the Charge

The success of Sankranthiki Vasthunam highlights the strategic advantage Telugu cinema holds during Sankranthi, when audiences actively seek high-energy, family-friendly entertainment. The film’s broad appeal, blending action, drama, and comedy, made it a crowd favourite and reinforced Telugu cinema’s status as the driving force of India’s early-year box office.

While the Telugu industry thrived, Tamil-language films, which typically also perform well during this season due to the Pongal festival, had a comparatively subdued month. “Madha Gaja Raja” emerged as the only Tamil breakout, grossing $5.7 million. This was a departure from previous years, when Tamil blockbusters often competed head-to-head with Telugu releases for festival-season dominance.

Bollywood’s Slow Start

In contrast, Hindi-language cinema had a relatively quiet start to 2025. The only notable performer from Bollywood was “Sky Force”, which brought in $11.5 million, keeping the industry’s market share below 30% for the month. While Bollywood has traditionally commanded a strong presence in Indian cinema, recent trends indicate a shift in audience preferences, with regional industries gaining momentum.

Other Regional Performances

Beyond Telugu and Tamil releases, Malayalam cinema made a notable contribution to the January box office, securing a 9% share of overall revenue. This demonstrates the increasing influence of South Indian cinema, which continues to attract nationwide audiences with fresh storytelling and high production values.

The Bigger Picture

The remarkable success of Telugu films in January 2025 signals a broader industry trend: the growing influence of regional cinema in India’s theatrical market. While Bollywood remains a key player, its slower start this year suggests that audiences are gravitating towards regional blockbusters that deliver engaging narratives and festival-driven appeal.

Looking ahead, the industry will be watching closely to see whether Telugu cinema maintains its momentum or if Bollywood can reclaim a larger share of the market as the year progresses. With several high-profile releases slated across multiple languages, Indian cinema is set for an exciting and competitive 2025.