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India Today
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Bollywood 2025 mid-year box office: Chhaava won, Sikandar lost - any lessons learnt?
The year 2025 began on a mild note for Bollywood at the box office. January didn't see any exceptional performances from a Hindi film, and it was only when 'Chhaava' arrived in February that the industry began to take a sigh of half-yearly box office report is not exceptional, despite big titles taking over the ticket window in the first half of the year. This has to do more with the amount of choices available to the audience via OTT platforms, and their direct rejection of watching anything running in theatres which is mediocre, redundant and sometimes, plain spoke to various industry experts, including directors, producers and trade analysts, to gauge how the Hindi film industry really performed from January-June, with the current week marking the end of the first year.'Chhaava' all the way! 'Chhaava' is the clear winner, it seems, when it comes to discussing the flagbearer of Bollywood in 2025 so far. The Vicky Kaushal film wasn't just historically relevant - it also resonated with the audience emotionally and provided dramatic relief to them - something a big-screen entertainer is supposed to Laxman Utekar directorial collected around Rs 601.54 crore nett in India, and grossed over Rs 800 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 so far. 'Sitaare Zameen Par', starring Aamir Khan, is another clear winner - a film still running in theatres - further cementing the fact that emotions are still the best way to connect to the that box-office response in the first half can clearly be summed up as 'unpredictable', film producer and trade analyst Girish Johar told "If we analyse the first six months of last year vis a vis this year, we have done a little better. We are around 8 to 10 per cent higher, because films like 'Chhaava' did well and other films, even 'Housefull 5', have done good business."He underscored the importance of mid-budget films not finding their audience at the box office. "By and large, the first six months are a little better but, what is worrisome is the medium and the small films are not doing exceptionally well. These are the critical ones which are not working at the box office. We have a stronger second half of the year which we really hope does well and adds value to the box office," Johar explained.A 'mixed-bag' of a year so far!For Anand Pandit, one of the leading film producers, it was all what he called a "mixed bag". While speaking to us, he elaborated, "The first half of 2025 was a mixed bag for Bollywood. While a few tentpole films performed well, many others struggled to make an impact. It's becoming increasingly clear that audiences are getting more selective. They're looking for fresh narratives, emotional depth, and a sense that their time and money are well spent. A star-studded cast alone no longer guarantees success. Even big-budget films can fall short if the content and execution aren't strong."advertisementPandit also focussed on 'Chhaava' leading from the front. "That said, there were standouts like 'Chhaava,' which delivered grounded storytelling with detailed production design, and 'Raid 2,' which successfully expanded on an existing franchise. These films did well at the box office, showing that when there's a unique element and genuine interest is sparked, audiences respond," he said."The first six months can be seen as a period of recalibration for the industry," he does this mean that the industry has now understood what has worked for the audience? The answer is not there - nothing specific or cumulative, at least. The industry still seems to be struggling with identifying the taste of the audience.A clear sense of what worked and what didn't'Oh My God' producer Hemal A Thakkar seems to have a bit of an answer, though. In a conversation with he said the audiences demand sincerity. He had a three-point list to explain what worked for the audience in the first-half of the rooted in emotion and purpose — where the story felt personal, not manufactured.""Relatable drama and family-centric narratives with a clear voice.""Content that respects audience intelligence, especially the youth."Thakkar, who is also a writer and a director, and the co-founder of Funder of Playtime Creations with actor Paresh Rawal, also clarified that the audience is not looking out for unnecessarily stretched grand spectacles on the big screen. So, what needs to be rejected then? Thakkar has a three-point list:Over-produced spectacles with thin are designed around star images rather than human to force nostalgia or recreate past magic without the soul.'Sikandar' remains the biggest disappointmentOne of the biggest tentpole movies of the year, and visibly the biggest Bollywood disappointment so far, was 'Sikandar'. The Salman Khan-starrer happened to be the big Eid box office release this year, but was rejected by the audience left, right and centre.A grand spectacle, directed by AR Murugadoss, collected only Rs 110.1 crore nett in India - a figure that doesn't really match the mammoth screen presence of Salman looked at the failure of grand releases at the box office and analysed, "We are still making films for a 50+ sensibility, while India's true box office audience today is between 18 and 30 - and we're failing to write for them with honesty or urgency."The only film that created some ripples at the box office after 'Chhaava's release in February was 'Sanam Teri Kasam', which was a re-release. The Harshvardhan Rane-starrer performed like a winner from the word go. It was almost like a surprising letter full of love and poetry left at the industry's film ended up collecting Rs 42.2 crore nett in its lifetime run, making more than most of the fresh Bollywood releases this year. What was this phenomenon? Does this mean re-releases have got a future at the box office this year?'Sanam Teri Kasam' - a mystery winnerAnand Pandit said the success of 'Sanam Teri Kasam' re-release doesn't guarantee a confirmed trend. "That was fascinating. Sometimes, a film that doesn't perform well during its initial release may receive a better response later during a re-release. In this case, it is a romantic story with drama, tragedy, and sacrifice. It shows that if a film connects emotionally, it can still find its audience years later," he filmmaker behind films like 'Sarkar 3', 'Total Dhamaal' and 'Chehra', among others, added, "Nostalgia plays a big role for those revisiting the film in theatres, while for younger audiences, it offers a chance to experience what they missed during the original run. However, whether it's a film that went unnoticed or a blockbuster returning to screens, I wouldn't call it a guaranteed trend. It needs careful curation, proper timing, and promotion that makes it feel like a shared event worth revisiting."Mansi Bagla, the producer of Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor's upcoming film 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan', credited 'Sanam Teri Kasam's' sheer luck behind its box office elaborated, "There is a good line-up of releases in the second half. So, I don't think re-releases will work. 'Sanam Teri Kasam' was lucky that it got released in February. If it had been released around the Pahalgam attack, it would never have worked. Post the dreadful event, it would not have seen the light of re-release. So, sometimes it's about luck."What is also clear is that stardom is fading. Having a star in a film might get you a few initial eyeballs, but it doesn't guarantee a longer and more sustainable traction at the box Johar agreed when he said, "We should want the film industry as a whole to flourish. The theatrical window has to do well - that is a foregone conclusion. Yes, makers need to ensure that their content is more lapped up by the audiences. Stars are important at the box office, but they are no longer a critical element."Audience has got the game rightAnother lesson that has to be taken from the first half of Bollywood is how the audience has got wider access. "Even regional lines have blurred. We see a lot of southern languages and other language films doing well at the box office. That needs to be said because the audiences are now also even watching those kinds of films. We need to learn, we need to pull up our socks accordingly," Johar said, while explaining the corrective measures that the industry can take to expect a better audience response.'Jaat', 'Kesari Chapter 2', 'Sky Force', 'Raid 2', and 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' were a few Hindi films that kept the ship from sinking entirely. These films kept the industry's hopes up for a strong second half. Things might not have looked absolutely sparkly for Bollywood in the first half, but the second half seems to be shinier and brighter than an interview with us, Anand Pandit shared a few titles that can be trusted to help Bollywood recover what was lost in the first half."We can see a wide range of films across genres lined up for the second half of the year, with 'Alpha,' 'War 2,' 'Thama,' 'Haunted 3D: Ghosts of the Past', 'Param Sundari,' and 'Jolly LLB 3' being some among the ones to watch out for. What I want to say is that in Bollywood, there's space for everyone if the story and narration are compelling. As an industry, we should remain cautiously optimistic," he shared on a positive talked about her own film, which is releasing on July 11. She said, "Right now, 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan' is to be looked forward to. It's a musical love story. It's unique and has the freshness, a superb pairing, and an old-school base with modern sentiments. Nothing can beat a love story. It's a universal topic. Moviegoers will always love cinema, so I'm sure good work will come back."The way ahead? Honesty, authenticity and a good heartIt all comes down to finding an honest soul at the end of the day - in your work, stories, what you are trying to offer to the audience, and what you are asking them to spend their hard-earned money put it in a brilliant way when he said that the need of the hour is to realise that "authentic stories always find a way."He summed up the way ahead for the industry and shared, "We are not just in a phase of change — we're in a moment that demands reinvention. The audience is ahead of us. It's time we stopped playing poker and started building a business based on vision, craft, and respect for the viewer - especially the viewer who will shape the next 20 years: Young India."The need for fresh stories - not remakes, not recycled narratives - but original, creative and bold ideas. "We need stories that speak to their aspirations, fears, humour, and emotional complexity. Not just recycled ideas with updated costumes," he though, a better strategy is definitely needed. One of the best things that Pandit emphasised included investing in better said, "We also need to invest more in writing. This includes script development, revisions, and having a solid shooting script as the foundation of the project. At the same time, collaboration between producers, exhibitors, and digital platforms can help design the right release strategy for both theatres and streaming platforms."There is hope. The second half looks promising for Bollywood - but only if we are staying honest - in pushing the right kind of story, by not cheating the audience, and by not selling absolute boredom and fallen creativity to them in the name of a big Bollywood knows the drill already. It will be interesting to see if we rise or go further downhill by the end of the year. See you again then!- Ends IN THIS STORY#Vicky Kaushal#Akshay Kumar#Aamir Khan#Kajol Devgan#Ajay Devgn
India Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Exclusive: Vivek Agnihotri on India's soft power, 10 US premieres of Bengal Files
Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri on Friday announced that he would showcase his upcoming film 'The Bengal Files' at 10 grand premieres in the US. In an interview with India the director now opened up on promoting his film as 'India's soft power', and beginning the worldwide promotions first than marketing the film in India.'The Bengal Files', which is the third chapter in his trilogy, will be screened at mega-premieres across the United States, starting July 19 in New Jersey and concluding on August 10 in Houston. The premiere tour will include special screenings in key cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Washington DC, Raleigh, Tampa, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay spoke about his decision to screen the film in the US first, and said, "At the time of 'The Kashmir Files', the first film of my trilogy, I had realized that Indian films don't work as the soft power for India to create a grand narrative in the world. Therefore, we decided to showcase our films in different parts of the world, even before they are released in India. We have seen the success of the Kashmir Files, we have seen the grand, unprecedented success of 'The Kashmir Files'." The director said his films stand for the truth, the kind of uncomfortable narrative that most filmmakers shy away from. He explained, "Because these narratives people wanted to know, these truths people wanted to know, but nobody was telling them. The films which had truth in them were made small like our films, but they were only for domestic consumption, and the world never got to know about those stories. So therefore, instead of going to the international market, we decided that we will go top to down."advertisementAgnihotri talked about what he called the 'top to bottom' approach for the promotion of his film. He said the journey of 'The Bengal Files' promotions will begin in the US with the 10 grand premieres across the country."We will start with international market and come to India. This is something which is very close to my heart, and I am very very happy, delighted and proud that the Bengal Files is going to reach people in US, policymakers, congressmen, senators, media people, blacks, Jews, people from different diverse international communities, and they will understand that what happens when a community is being persecuted for more than 1000 years. And it also gives a message that why it is so important for every citizen of the world to protect humanity," he went on. Agnihotri continues, "And this film conveys that, and that's why I am taking this film to the USA, and all the local organisers and our national partners in the USA, Kohona and GKPD, are working so hard. And this work is done only by volunteers. It's not a commercial project; it's a purely philanthropic charity and non-profit exercise by the volunteers who want to promote truth cinema."advertisementAgnihotri's decision to promote 'The Bengal Files' in the overseas market first also comes from the audience's response to 'The Kashmir Files' in the same market. The filmmaker enjoys a growing global appeal and the rising excitement for his kind of cinema beyond India.A teaser for 'The Bengal Files' was released earlier this month, featuring all the prominent cast members. One striking scene featured Goddess Durga's idol engulfed in flames. Later, as the scene became a topic of discussion on social media, the filmmakers clarified that they had backed the story by thorough teaser was headlined as: "If Kashmir hurt you, then Bengal will haunt you."The Bengal Files is written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi. It stars Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, and Darshan Kumar. The film, presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal and I Am Buddha, is a part of Agnihotri's Files trilogy that includes 'The Kashmir Files' and 'The Tashkent Files'. It will arrive in theatres on September 5, 2025.- Ends
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Ashok Pathak decodes his viral breakthrough as Binod in Panchayat. Here's his story
For actor Ashok Pathak, aka our beloved Binod from 'Panchayat', the phone hasn't stopped ringing ever since the fourth season of the popular TVF franchise premiered on Prime Video. While he is patiently taking out time from his schedule to thank each one of his fans, he confesses to enjoying his moments of fame as he still battles with his tears looking at the love sharing his emotions with India Pathak said, 'I've been in tears for the past two days, overwhelmed by the flood of emotional messages from fans. One fan even created a reel on my character that has garnered thousands of views and comments on it. I've spent the entire day crying in my vanity van, and my makeup artist is finding it hard to do my makeup through the tears.'When Binod's character was first introduced in 'Panchayat 2' (2022), he was little more than a background presence, rarely seen and hardly taken seriously. But who would have thought that a single dialogue from the actor would make his presence pivotal to the very pulse of Phulera. advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) Binod is that hilariously naive sidekick in the show whose innocent expressions and unintentional comic timing will have become meme material, endearing him to audiences and earning him the iconic dialogue like 'Dekh rahe ho Binod' in 'Panchayat 2' to the powerful 'Gareeb hain par gaddar nahi,' in Season 4, his character has evolved from being just another villager to a pivotal presence who elevates the narrative depth of the series. What was once a background role now carries emotional weight, adding layers to the story like never the actor was unaware initially that his dialogues from the series could trigger a meme fest and that it would leave many relating to the same.'I had no idea that my dialogue in the second season would become so popular. I approached it just like any other project I had done before. My role in that season was quite small, and with such a large ensemble cast, I honestly didn't think people would even remember me. But the day after the release, the kind of response I received left me completely numb. It all started with the toilet scene, where my line, 'Yahin ha**enge hum', went viral almost instantly. Then came 'Dekh rahe ho Binod,' which sparked a meme fest and even trended on X at the time. Suddenly, everyone was calling me Binod. It was surreal.'advertisementOften seen in the shadow of Bhushan Kumar aka Banrakas or lurking in the margins of panchayat meetings with his friend Madhav, Binod initially appears to be just another quiet bystander. But as the show progresses, particularly by Season 3, Binod's quiet demeanour begins to reflect something the end of the third season, the writers begin to subtly layer Binod's character with complexity. He's still mostly quiet, but his silence now carries weight. There's a noticeable shift in his reactions, his pauses, and the way he observes the shifting power dynamics in Phulera. His loyalty isn't as automatic, and he begins to act more as a self-thinking individual than an extension of others' we can't get over his innocent expressions in the series, Pathak stated how he just had fun doing his part. View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin)'While preparing for Binod, I made sure to hold on to his essence. He may appear innocent, but he's certainly not naive. He feels deeply and has his own emotions. In Season 4, a scene where Binod is invited to dinner at Manju Devi's house, I made a conscious effort to show his neutral reactions when asked to switch parties and join theirs. I improvised my performance to stay true to the moment and did what the scene demanded of me,' the actor told character in the series might not have many revolutionary dialogues or scenes. However, he managed to leave an ever-lasting impact and give goosebumps with his acting. Ashok Pathak's performance became a masterclass in restraint in the climax where Bhushan Kumar and Kranti Devi won the Panchayat actor shared that his performance even left everyone on set emotional.'The credit for that scene also goes to the director. It was actually shot on the very first day, and it took me a little time to ease into it. The joy of winning that election was clearly visible in the performance. Ever since that scene aired, my Instagram has been flooded, it's practically crashed from all the love,' he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ashok Pathak (@ashokpathakt)advertisement'From the beginning, I had a feeling that my character would stand out this season, especially because everyone on set kept telling me the same. But I didn't expect what happened during the climax shoot. The entire set turned emotional, everyone started crying and clapping for me. They were genuinely amazed. I still remember Faisal Malik hugging me and saying, 'You killed it and gave goosebumps.' I hadn't rehearsed the scene much, I just went with the flow and gave it my all,' Pathak being the son of a daily wage worker and selling cotton for Rs 100 to making his Cannes debut in 2024, Ashok Pathak has come a long way, carving his own path in Indian cinema. His portrayal of Binod in the popular series adds depth to the show's fabric, making the character one of the most intriguing ones in 'Panchayat'. With all-time-high anticipation for the fifth season, it will be exciting to watch what different the actor will bring to the table with his prowess.- EndsTrending Reel
India Today
3 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Do weight-loss drugs really lead to muscle loss?
Do weight-loss drugs really lead to muscle loss? Credit: Getty Images Renowned endocrinologist and diabetologist Dr Ambrish Mithal told talked about muscle loss after consuming popular weight-loss drugs. While reducing weight, whether one is on a diet or even with exercise, body fat along with muscle tends to reduce. Muscle loss 'The body isn't so fine tuned to reduce fat only during weight loss. When you lose weight, you lose both fat and some muscle. To limit that, you need strength training and enough protein,' he explained. Exercise, especially strength training, is important to prevent muscle loss, a natural part of rapid weight loss, whether it's achieved through medication, dieting, or surgery. With both Wegovy and Mounjaro now accessible, India finally has two cutting-edge medical options in the fight against obesity. 'These drugs are designed for long-term use. They're filling a big gap in obesity care. But that doesn't mean lifestyle takes a back seat. These drugs work with lifestyle, not instead of it," said Dr. Mithal. Weight-loss drugs do not replace diet The current guidelines suggest prescribing drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide to people with a BMI over 30, or between 27 and 30 if they have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Guidelines for prescribing While Wegovy was launched on June 24, Mounjaro as available in the Indian market since March 2025. Expert have said that the new-age weight-loss drugs are not a magic cure but powerful ally to reducing obesity crisis.
India Today
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Mohanlal announces Drishyam 3, eyes October 2025 release
Actor Mohanlal gave fans a reason to rejoice on Saturday as he announced 'Drishyam 3'. The film is scheduled to release in theatres in October 2025.A video shared on Instagram showed the close up of Mohanlal as Georgekutty, followed by him greeting the makers of the film and then a text that read, 'Coming soon.' Interestingly, the video also said, "Lights. Camera. October', suggesting that the film will release in caption of the post read, "October 2025 — the camera turns back to Georgekutty. The past never stays silent." Soon after the post, fans flooded the comment section of the post with excitement. One of the fans wrote, "He will go to any extent to protect his The Classic Criminal is back! (sic) (loosely translated from Malayalam to English". Another wrote, "Next industry hit loading."Have a look at Mohanlal's post here:In an exclusive conversation with Mohanlal earlier said, "'Drishyam' has done great things. It gave a great uplift to the Malayalam industry. We produced that film during the Covid-led pandemic. That film was viewed by the entire India. Now they know about the Malayalam industry. They started watching more Malayalam films [after 'Drishyam']. It became a blessing for the industry, [even] internationally."'Drishyam' was so successful that it was remade in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Sinhalese and even Chinese. Reports say that the Hindi version of 'Drishyam', which is headlined by Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, will go on floors in October.
