India’s film industry has seen a significant shift in 2024 with the sci-fi film Kalki 2898 AD emerging as the highest-grossing film for the first half of the year. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Prabhas, the film has made a remarkable contribution of 15% to the overall box office earnings, reaching a staggering $92.3M in local box office collections. This achievement is a testament to the growing creative vision and talent in the Indian film industry.
The Indian box office for the first half of 2024 closed just above the INR50B ($600M) mark, showcasing a 3% increase from the same period in 2023. The top-performing month was June, raking in over $140M in box office earnings, closely followed by March 2024. This upward trajectory indicates a promising future for the Indian film industry.
The report by Ormax Media also highlights the diversification in language share within the Indian film industry. Malayalam-language cinema has been a significant mover, with its share rising to 15% compared to just 5% in the same period last year. Malayalam films have already surpassed their total collections for 2023 in the first half of 2024, signaling a growing audience interest in regional cinema.
Apart from Kalki 2898 AD, other notable films making waves in the industry include the Hindi-language film Fighter, which grossed $29M locally, and the Telugu-language superhero film Hanu-Man. The absence of big hits like Pathaan from 2023 has paved the way for new and diverse storytelling in Indian cinema, empowering filmmakers to explore different genres and narratives.
The Indian film industry is showcasing resilience and innovation in 2024, with a diverse range of films capturing audience attention and driving box office success. The success of Kalki 2898 AD and the rise of regional cinema like Malayalam-language films signal a dynamic shift in the industry landscape. As audiences continue to embrace diverse storytelling and fresh talent, the future of Indian cinema looks bright and promising.