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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
Vicky expresses love and respect for his Love & War colleagues, Ranbir and Alia
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-anticipated film 'Love & War' is currently in production and brings together a stellar cast - Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal on the screen for the first time. In an interview now, Kaushal spoke about his experience of working in the film, especially with his 'Chhaava' actor appreciated both Ranbir and Alia, and referred to their warm individual personalities as their winning traits. "They are outstanding, but more than that, what I love about Ranbir and Alia is that they are amazing human beings. I've worked with them on Sanju and Raazi, and this is my second time working with both. That's what makes it fun and easy," Kaushal told Kaushal has previously worked with Ranbir in 'Sanju' and with Alia in 'Raazi', 'Love & War' will be his first project alongside both stars. During the same conversation, the 37-year-old highlighted the challenges of balancing his professional commitments with his personal life, especially while filming 'Love & War'. He shared that his hectic shooting schedule leaves little time for his wife, actor Katrina Kaif."Right now, I'm in that phase where I'm shooting nights, so there's very limited time. You just wake up and go. Now Katrina has started jokingly calling me 'Mr Go' because every time she sees me, I'm heading out,' he said. 'But then there are phases where you consciously plan things out and say, this is our time. You figure it out," he Kapoor Khan, who was also part of the interview, chimed in with a light-hearted comment about her dynamic with Bhansali. "'Love & War' is actually me and Sanjay,' she joked. 'You can tell him that. He'll understand. We have love and war," she and Bhansali share a history of near collaborations. She was initially cast in 'Devdas' but was later replaced by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan due to creative differences. Years later, she was considered for 'Ram-Leela' but opted for 'Gori Tere Pyaar Mein' instead. The role eventually went to Deepika Padukone, and the film went on to become a major Vicky Kaushal was last seen in a blockbuster 'Chhaava'. The film stands as the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year so far.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Vicky Kaushal#Katrina Kaif#Ranbir Kapoor#Alia Bhatt
Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Vicky Kaushal talks about his rapport with Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt and working on Love & War: 'They are outstanding but...'
Vicky Kaushal, Ranbir Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt's upcoming film, titled Love and War, has been one of the highly anticipated movies of this year. The collaboration of these powerhouses has left fans eagerly anticipating the release. Helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the movie is currently being made. Recently, while speaking with Kareena Kapoor, Vicky mentioned collaborating with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt for the second time. He even praised the celebrity couple and discussed his rapport with them. Vicky Kaushal comments on Love and War co-stars On The Hollywood Reporter India, Kareena Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal discussed family, work, upcoming projects, stardom, their respective married lives, and more. During this conversation, Vicky and Kareena spoke about the former's much-anticipated project, Love and War. The actor took a moment to praise his co-stars, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor. Vicky Kaushal said, "They are outstanding, but more than that, what I love about Ranbir and Alia is that they are amazing human beings. I have worked with them on Sanju and Raazi, and it's the second time working with both of them. That's what makes it fun and easy." He further spoke about his working experience with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Love and War and said, "He is like a child who is curious about everything. Who is wanting to go deeper and explore more with the actor, material, camera, set, and everything. He is always like what more can I do, in what other ways can I make it magical, new, cinematic. For me, it's such a learning experience to just see him and be there." When Vicky spoke about SLB, Kareena Kapoor also discussed her bond with the filmmaker, mentioning that it is like a 'love and war' equation. About Love and War Love and War marks Bhansali's return to grand love stories and reunites him with Ranbir Kapoor, with whom he previously collaborated on Saawariya. Featuring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal as well, Love & War promises audiences an extravagant romantic saga that explores themes of conflict, both emotional and literal. Helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Love and War is slated to hit the screens during Eid 2026.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rashmika Mandanna's Mysaa first look poster gets a shoutout from her 'Chhaava' co-star Vicky Kaushal: "gave me goosebumps"
Rashmika Mandanna , the actress widely known for her debut in the Telugu-language movie "Pushpa: The Rise" (2021) alongside Allu Arjun, later even became more popular in the Bollywood 2023 film "Animal," where she acted with Ranbir Kapoor, and in both the movies, she stunned her fans. This time it is something very different from all genres played by her. Rashmika Mandanna, in a recent post, shared her upcoming film poster, "Mysaa," and fans are going crazy about it and giving a lot of love. However, the special moment is actually when the "Chhaava" actor Vicky Kaushal praised the immensely strong first look on his Instagram Stories, saying it gave him 'goosebumps.' The famous actor Vicky Kaushal shared the poster and wrote, 'The poster gave me goosebumps! #Mysaa Can't wait to see you set the screen on fire, @rashmika_mandanna.' And also, Rashmika had earlier showcased her first look of 'Mysaa' on social media and believed it to be her most fierce role so far. Rashmika Madana spoke out about her upcoming movie "Mysaa" and look and role, saying that this character shows a side of her that even she hadn't discovered ever before. She has shared the first-look poster on Instagram, where she appears with a fierce, powerful, and intense look. It is indeed giving goosebumps to all. In the poster her full face is not visible, as she is covering her face with a sword like a warrior, and the bloodstain all over her face is making the warrior look more powerful and perfect. She is dressed in a traditional saree, and the red-eyed glance is so intense and fierce; her oxidized jewelry has another powerful portrayal. A unique moon-shaped bindi complements her whole appearance, and all of these things in the poster are telling about the movie character-how intense the character will be. Rashmika Mandana also captioned her social media post to express her excitement as well as nervousness. 'I always try to give you something new… something different… something exciting… And this… This is one of those... A character I've never played before… a world I've never stepped into… and a version of me that even I hadn't met till now… It's fierce, it's intense, and it's extremely raw. I am so nervous and super excited; I genuinely cannot wait for you to see what we're going to be creating. This is just the beginning…#Mysaa." Vicky Kaushal's next film is Love and War, where he will be seen alongside Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, and the shooting for the film is currently underway.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Vicky Kaushal Reveals What It's Really Like To Work With Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt
Last Updated: Vicky Kaushal has previously shared the screen with both Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, in Sanju and Raazi, respectively. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film Love & War is set to feature a powerhouse trio: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Announced in 2024, the film is currently in its production phase. While Vicky has previously shared screen space with Ranbir in Sanju and with Alia in Raazi, Love & War marks the first time he will be working with both actors together. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Vicky Kaushal opened up about his experience working on Love & War and took a moment to warmly praise his co-stars, real-life couple Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. Joined by Kareena Kapoor for the conversation, Vicky shared insights into the much-anticipated film and spoke highly of Ranbir and Alia. He said, 'They are outstanding, but more than that, what I love about Ranbir and Alia is that they are amazing human beings. I have worked with them on Sanju and Raazi, and it's the second time working with both of them. That's what makes it fun and easy." Moreover, during the conversation, both Kareena and Vicky reflected on the challenges of balancing their professional and personal lives. Vicky candidly shared that with his current packed schedule, especially while shooting for Love & War, he has very limited time to spend with his wife, Katrina Kaif. 'Right now I'm in that phase where I'm shooting nights, so you are getting very limited time. Because you just get up and go. Now she has jokingly started pinching it in. She says, 'I'm just going to call you Mr. Go. Because every time I see you, you're like, I need to go.' So that, but then there are phases also where you have to consciously plan out. Like, this is our time. But then, you kind of figure it out," Vicky said. Meanwhile, Vicky Kaushal has been building an impressive and diverse filmography with an intriguing mix of roles. In 2023, he portrayed the intense and heroic Sam Manekshaw in Sam Bahadur. He later showcased his comedic chops in Bad Newz. Most recently, he starred in Chhaava, a box office success in which he took on the powerful role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji. First Published:
