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Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is Indian Cinema's resurgence a blockbuster or a cameo?
The silver screen, that grand canvas of collective dreams, seems to be shimmering once more across India. After a period where its very existence was questioned, with whispers of streaming platforms eclipsing the communal magic of cinema, a vibrant pulse has returned. Much like the heartfelt emotional journey of Sitaare Zameen Par which has garnered an impressive INR 161.20 crore domestically as of July 16, the heart-stopping precision of an F1 race zooming past INR 84 crore in India, or the intricate human connections woven in Metro In Dino which has now crossed the INR 40 crore milestone, recent releases have brought audiences back in droves, hinting at a robust resurgence. According to Ormax Media, between January and May 2025, the Indian film industry recorded cumulative box office collections of approximately INR 4,812 crore. This represents a robust 27 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, when the collections stood at INR 3,791 crore. This isn't merely a fleeting illusion; the coming months are brimming with highly anticipated releases, promising to keep the turnstiles spinning. Indeed, the extraordinary advance bookings for Mohit Suri's Saiyaara which, even before its release on July 18, had already sold over one lakh tickets, setting a significant benchmark for a debutant-led film – serve as a potent overture to what many hope will be a sustained era of cinematic triumph. A resurgence from a slow start Bhuvanesh Mendiratta , MD, Miraj Cinema , offers a candid assessment of the journey so far. "The business performance in quarter one was a mixed bag. While it was considerably better than the previous quarter, the initial period was quite slow due to the underperformance of movies like Sikandar, Jaat and Kesari Chapter 2. However, Raid 2 significantly boosted the business. Following Raid 2 a couple of Hollywood movies also performed well." The real turning point, he explains, arrived with June. "The real turnaround began in June, which started strongly with Housefull 5 . Hollywood films like F1 further contributed to this positive shift, leading to a noticeable increase in both collections and footfall." He also added that Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par was a pleasant surprise, performing exceptionally well not only in major metros and niche centers, as initially expected, but also remarkably strong in tier II and tier III cities. He is confident about its potential, stating, "We believe Sitaare Zameen par will reach a box office collection of INR 200 crores, marking it as a mega-blockbuster for this financial year. A significant contributor to its success was substantial school bookings, with approximately 25,000 to 30,000 student bookings at Miraj Cinema's locations over the last fortnight. The positive trend continues into the current month, with Mendiratta noting, "July is also looking very promising, having started strong with Jurassic World Rebirth and Saiyaara is showing impressive advance bookings. Anticipated releases such as Son of Sardaar Part 2, Dhadak 2, and War 2 are expected to continue this positive trend." This renewed vigour is also reflected in the numbers. Miraj Cinema witnessed an increase in footfalls in Q1 by 5 percent compared to the previous year, and the box office collections saw an 8 percent to 10 percent increase across locations. The recent surge is undeniable. Mendiratta highlights how June and July releases have been instrumental in this renewed energy. F1 was an excellent movie that performed exceptionally well in format cinemas like IMAX and other giant screen formats, largely due to the enhanced experience they offer. Jurassic World Rebirth however, performed very well across all types of centers. Content is King The critical question remains: is this a momentary burst of energy or a sustainable revival? Mendiratta firmly believes in the latter. "The current momentum in the theatrical business is expected to continue. The industry's previous struggles were primarily due to a lack of compelling content. Once production houses consistently deliver strong films, there's no comparison between the cinema exhibition experience and watching movies on OTT platforms. The communal viewing experience and the larger-than-life screen immersion offered by cinemas are unique, especially when compared to watching movies at home where distractions are frequent and pauses are often necessary." Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi echoes this optimism, noting a significant shift in perception. "The theatrical business is on the revival mode, and if you look at the trajectory over the last few years, when the lockdowns happened and things started opening up again, there was a narrative that people are now too used to streaming platforms and they won't turn up at the cinemas, and they'd literally written the medium off." The year 2024 proved to be a challenging one for Hindi cinema, marked by the absence of major releases from industry titans like Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor. Even prominent stars such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Hrithik Roshan , and Deepika Padukone, who did have releases, experienced only limited box office success. According to the FICCI EY report 2025, poor performance of large budget Hindi films, as well as some South films, led to a drop in overall box office collections; a fewer number of hits drove a larger proportion of revenues, with some estimates showing that over 70 percent of total box office earnings were delivered by just the top ten films. The trend is clear: either a film is hugely successful at the theater, or it tends to completely under-perform He highlighted how a series of blockbusters in a single year– 2023, namely Jawan, Pathaan, Gadar 2, and Animal , initially silenced doubts that audiences wouldn't return to cinemas, proving that large-screen spectacles still drew crowds. Beyond these tentpole films, Rathi notes a subsequent evolution where strong content, even without bona fide stars, also proved highly successful. He cites Laapataa Ladies , 12th Fail, and Stree as examples, demonstrating that compelling storytelling, not just grand scale, is now a key driver for theatrical attendance, bringing the industry closer to pre-pandemic consumption patterns. This year has further solidified the argument for theatrical viability. Rathi noted, "And then this year, we had movies like Sitaare Zameen Par , which did really well. Saiyaara looks like it's poised for a huge double-digit opening." He observes a crucial trend and shared, "Now I think is the time when the mid-segment movies, so to say, which had really been written off and which people said would only be consumed on streaming, are back in thriving. Like, back in the day, a stereotypical Ayushman Khurrana or Rajkumar Rao movie would." Rathi believes the industry is nearing pre-pandemic consumption patterns, with an added bonus, 'we've suddenly discovered new thresholds in terms of how much business potential there is with movies like Pushpa and Stree and a couple of others just blowing the lid off and showing us that movies are capable of doing a thousand crores plus of business in India alone." He concludes with a hopeful outlook, "Great times ahead and all of us are hoping that the learnings that we have from the post-pandemic times will allow our content creators to make some movies that are true-blue theatrical experiences and allow all of us exhibitors, distributors to really optimise the business of these films, giving them the best possible run showcasing in screens." A promising future slate Chandrashekar Mantha, partner and media & entertainment sector leader at Deloitte India, said that this surge is driven by a diverse portfolio of successful releases spanning multiple languages and genres. Among these, Chhaava stood out as a blockbuster, making a notable contribution to the early-year box office. Other prominent performers such as Raid 2, Housefull 5, and Good Bad Ugly further strengthened the market's momentum. Additionally, Bollywood's market share increased from 40 percent in early 2024 to 45 percent in the first quarter of 2025, signaling a robust resurgence. Overall, this growth trajectory highlights a strong recovery and an expanding consumer appetite for theatrical entertainment across India. Films such as F1, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Sitaare Zameen Par, and Metro In Dino delivered good to moderate performances, contributing meaningfully to the overall box office growth. He said 'We observe that while occupancy levels remain moderate, audiences are increasingly returning to theatres driven by star power and compelling storytelling, with a notable preference for weekend entertainment experiences. Initiatives such as weekly and monthly subscription passes offering unlimited viewing have demonstrated a positive impact on enhancing weekday occupancy, and this trend is likely to sustain moving forward.' While the first half for the industry was slow, the second half's content slate appears promising. Looking ahead, Son of Sardar 2 , Dhadak 2 and War 2 featuring Junior NTR and Hrithik Roshan, are on the horizon. Additionally, Baaghi 4 , Jolly LLB 3 , Kantara Chapter 1, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, Alpha ,and Dhurandhar in December promise a 'crazy' second half. Based on these projections, Mendiratta anticipates at least a 10 percent increase in total footfall this year compared to last year's 1.5 crore, aiming for at least 1.65 crore in their same locations. Mantha also added that as the festive season approaches in a couple of months, the industry is poised for a robust slate of releases, including high-profile titles such as War 2, Son of Sardar 2, The India Story, and Baaghi 4 . 'Regional cinema is also set to contribute significantly, with Telugu films like Kuberaa and Hari Hara Veera Mallu , alongside Telugu offerings such as 3BHK and Thammudu. Additionally, star-studded projects in Kannada and Malayalam are expected to sustain positive momentum, collectively driving strong audience engagement and box office performance.'
India Today
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
F1, Jurassic Park prove fans pay for premium entertainment despite high ticket rates
The Covid-19 pandemic affected the country in more ways than documented, with the business of cinema being one of them. Ever since, audiences have stayed away from stepping into theatres, first due to safety concerns, and then out of habit. With OTT taking charge and bringing content to their fingertips, the medium has since become a preferred option to even watch window between a theatrical release and its drop on digital platforms also became shorter, making cinema owners suffer. Amid this, the industry raised a pertinent question around ticket pricing, which burns a hole in the average Indian pocket. Add to that the expensive popcorn and snacks sold at theatres, especially multiplexes, a factor that also receives widespread in the last couple of weeks, a lot of beliefs were shattered as audiences gathered in huge numbers to watch Hollywood classics, 'F1: The Movie' and 'Jurassic World: Rebirth'. Both films, even with higher ticket prices than regular Bollywood releases (not even factoring in 3D, 4D, 4DX, IMAX, MX4D versions), are enjoying packed just about a week, 'Jurassic World' has clocked in more than Rs 50 crore in India. 'F1', too, in its second week, has Rs 61.30 in its kitty. The business of both films is a clear sign that audiences are ready to spend money if they get the experience they desire. India Today spoke to stakeholders in the industry to deep-dive into the ticket price factor, and how dinosaurs and racing cars seem to revive the theatre ME THE MONEY Reflecting on the success of 'Jurassic World', Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, MD, Miraj Entertainment Ltd, shared that it is an impressive start and indicates the franchise's strong recall and the growing appetite for spectacle-driven content. "As for 'F1', it is a niche title, but it has found its audience in premium formats like IMAX and 4DX. These shows are running at very high occupancy. The film may not have wide mass appeal, but where immersive formats are available, people are turning up in good numbers. It proves that audiences are now actively choosing experience over just content. They want to feel the film, not just watch it," he superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan spoke about the need to have affordable tickets at the recently conducted entertainment summit, WAVES. They not only urged theatres to offer cheaper tickets but also touched upon the subject of fewer screens in India, which mostly cater to the affluent expert Taran Adarsh, however, stated that he keeps hearing how theatres are too expensive and that no one is going to watch films, but that is far from reality. He spoke to us, saying, "I am not denying that the rates are high and that we need to find an alternative to cater to the common man. However, these two films are doing extremely good business. Even Bollywood films 'Metro... In Dino' and 'Sitaare Zameen Par' are attracting crowds. The weekend numbers for these Hindi films were also very encouraging," he added that while the urban crowd is majorly watching films, there is no denying that other markets are opening up too. He continued to explain, "These two Hollywood films have proved that audiences are okay with churning out higher ticket prices. And while primarily they are English films, and the bulk of the collection is from multiplexes, they are also being dubbed and released in local languages. Just the fact that theatres are full is such a silver lining for the industry," he CHARM IN INDIAadvertisementExperts suggest that the branding and nostalgia of watching these films are what is attracting audiences, and with 'Superman' released this Friday, Hollywood continues to threaten the ticket Raj Bansal stated that cinema lovers enjoy franchises, regardless of language. Talking about Hollywood's craze in India, Bansal said that while we do talk about the big offerings and their business, there are also 20 other titles that fail to sustain even a week in theatres locally. He added that it is the experience of 'F1' and 'Jurassic World' that did the trick."Even though Brad Pitt is a star here too, the youth is absolutely enamoured by 'F1' and the experience the film offers. The VFX and special effects of both these films are drawing people. They are today an important part of how a filmmaker envisions their films. A big-budget film, whether Hindi or Hollywood, with high-end Dolby sound and IMAX viewing, adds to the magic of cinema," Raj Bansal Mendiratta of Miraj Entertainment also weighed in on the success of these international films in India. He shared that 'Jurassic World Rebirth' clearly took the lead, with its footfall nearly double 'Metro... In Dino', which was released on the same shows how strong the draw of global franchises is, especially when backed by scale, VFX, and immersive formats. 'F1', though niche, is doing better than expected on select screens, especially in high-end urban centres. It is another sign that audiences are more layered and diverse now," he PAY FOR CONTENT AND EXPERIENCE, NOT STARSAs we discussed whether ticket prices are indeed keeping audiences away from cinemas, Bhuvanesh Mendiratta called the narrative an 'outdated assumption'. He shared that Indian audiences are now more selective, but not will happily spend it on a film that excites them or promises a strong experience. Theatres still offer something that no home screen or OTT platform can: a community experience. Whether it is clapping in sync during a mass film or watching a visually heavy film like 'Avatar' or 'Jurassic World Rebirth' in 3D or IMAX, the big screen still has its magic," Mendiratta shared, adding that OTT has not killed cinema. Instead, it has raised the bar. So, if the content and presentation are both strong, people will not just show up, they will also come Adarsh also echoed the belief that content is what eventually wins the race. He said there are umpteen examples where a film has crashed on day one, and then there are films that go on to do big business, all thanks to word of shared, "Especially in today's times, people get feedback about a film instantly as it releases. If the feedback you get from friends and family is positive, you will end up watching the film, and vice versa. I genuinely feel that people today do not want to waste their money. So if the content is indeed worth it, they will pay for it, regardless of whether it has a star or is mounted as a high-scale spectacle."advertisement'SITAARE ZAMEEN PAR' SHOWED THE WAYWhile the success of 'F1' and 'Jurassic World' has infused the industry with hope, these experts also feel that one must focus on 'Sitaare Zameen Par' too. The film not only emerged victorious in the urban market but also connected emotionally to see a steady run in non-metro distributor Raj Bansal, the masterstroke was Aamir Khan's decision not to release the film on OTT. He shared that audiences often choose to wait and watch a film when it drops digitally. However, when there is no other way to watch a film that has been praised, one is bound to buy the ticket."You can never run down a good film. Also, the team did not use 1+1 tickets or indulge in corporate bookings. Except for Aamir Khan, the film's budget was fairly on a lower scale, and it has done Rs 150 crore business already, proving it is a hit. It may not have opened at a big number, but the growth was phenomenal. I think after this success, more and more producers will follow, leading to more ticket sales. It was a niche film, but families, especially women and kids, came in big numbers," he FOR PRODUCERSThe industry feels that while the focus should remain on content and experience, it is also important to understand how producers zero in on the right ticket prices. They believe not everyone can command the kind of ticket price a Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan film would. Being price-sensitive is more important than just offering discounts. Give the audience substantial content, and at a price it Raj Bansal echoed the thought, adding that the problem arises when small films also ask audiences to cough up a hefty price. He said, "I would always say, first, see your product, and then fix up the price. Like a 'War 2' will have a different admission rate than a smaller film. We need to understand the audiences and their demands."- Ends
Mint
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Bollywood scripts recovery with sequels and small-town strategy
After a lacklustre first half in 2025 with box office collections just crossing ₹1,900 crore, the Hindi film industry is pinning hopes on a stronger second half. A packed release calendar, a wave of sequels, and stories rooted in mythology and folk traditions are expected to drive revenues up by 20–30%, theatre owners and producers said. The recovery strategy centres on reaching audiences in tier-two and tier-three towns through culturally resonant stories. Franchises like Son of Sardaar 2, War 2, Baaghi 4, and Jolly LLB 3, along with folklore-inspired films like Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 and Thama, are expected to dominate the theatrical landscape in the coming months. Franchises are a series of films that continue the story of popular characters or worlds—building on past successes to attract loyal audiences with sequels and spin-offs. 'There is a clear strategy (to reach out to small-town audiences). A lot of the upcoming films are sequels, mythological stories, or based on Indian folklore. These are not just creative choices—they're strategic," said Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, managing director at Miraj Entertainment Ltd, which operates multiplex theatres. Franchises, he said, have a ready audience, while mythological and folklore-based content resonates strongly with families in smaller cities. 'These films work better in single screens and tier-two and tier-three cities, where people prefer larger-than-life, rooted stories," Mendiratta added. Also read: Regional content gains ground on OTTs even as Hindi dominates Return of epics The trend is expected to continue well into 2026. Ranbir Kapoor will headline a two-part Ramayana franchise scheduled for Diwali 2026 and 2027, while Vicky Kaushal will play eternal warrior Parashurama in Mahavatar, slated for a December 2026 release. 'Films that are rooted in our culture or drawn from epics often connect well with the audience," said film producer Anand Pandit. 'The broad canvas offered by mythology or folklore allows filmmakers to shape narratives that appeal to viewers who enjoy grand, impactful stories anchored in nostalgia or tradition." Pandit added that the next six months would likely showcase audience-friendly spectacles, emotional mid-budget stories, and the return of familiar franchises. 'If these films succeed, they could provide the kind of breakthroughs the industry needs right now," he said. Also read: Never mind the movie - just get the popcorn! That's the latest audience trend at the cinema Franchises over originals Franchise-building is emerging as a go-to model in the absence of fresh stories. One viable strategy at this point is to create franchises and therefore build on a universe audiences already know of, said Satwik Lele, chief operating officer at MuktaA2 Cinemas. While this might indicate a lack of originality, Lele pointed out that Hollywood relies heavily on sequels too, citing upcoming releases like The Fantastic 4: First Steps and Avatar: Fire and Ash. Packed release calendar Experts say the release schedule in the second half of 2025 marks a clear departure from the sporadic releases of 2024 and early 2025. Film producer and trade expert Girish Johar said the steady flow of films is key to restoring the movie-going habit. 'The consistency in release schedules is important to ensure people stay used to coming to theatres. That habit formation also helps the small and mid-budget films to perform," he said. Also read: Online games and self-publishing platforms: movie producers tap new avenues for fresh plotlines
