Tag: Hindi films

Sankranthi boosts box office to Rs 1,013 crore as Telugu films dominate the month

MUMBAI: January 2025 kicked off with a bang for the Indian box office, fuelled by blockbuster Telugu festival releases. According to Ormax Media’s latest report – The India Box Office Report: January 2025, films released this month grossed a staggering Rs 1,013 crore domestically, proving that Sankranthi remains one of the most lucrative periods for cinema. With three major Telugu releases driving the momentum, the industry witnessed a stellar start to the year.

Telugu cinema stole the show, contributing Rs 480 crore to the month’s total. Sankranthiki Vasthunam emerged as the undisputed box office king, grossing over Rs 200 crore, cementing its place as January’s highest-grossing film. The festive fever didn’t stop there—Game Changer and Daaku Maharaaj also capitalised on the Sankranthi rush, ensuring Telugu cinema’s 44 per cent language share.

Top performers of January 2025

Despite its dominance, Telugu cinema wasn’t alone in the limelight. The Hindi film Sky Force, the only significant Hindi cinema release of the month, crossed the Rs 100 crore mark, though it wasn’t enough to push Hindi’s overall share past 30 per cent. Tamil cinema also made its presence felt with Madha Gaja Raja, which managed to cross Rs 50 crore, securing its spot among the top earners.

Here’s how the top five films fared:

1. Sankranthiki Vasthunam – Rs 200 crore+

2. Sky Force – Rs 100 crore+

3. Game Changer – Rs 100 crore+

4. Daaku Maharaaj – Rs 100 crore+

5. Madha Gaja Raja – Rs 50 crore+

While Hindi cinema had a relatively muted start to 2025, the industry is expected to rebound with upcoming big-ticket releases. With only Sky Force in contention, Hindi films struggled to maintain their traditional dominance. However, with several high-profile movies slated for February and beyond, the playing field may soon level out.

Ormax tracks gross box office (GBO) for consistency across industries. Films releasing in multiple languages have their collections assigned accordingly. Figures are credited to the month of release, even if business spills into subsequent months. For instance, Kalki 2898 AD (released 27 June 2024) saw significant earnings in July but was reported under June’s total.

Some films remain in theatres at the time of reporting. Their projected collections are included, with final numbers updated in subsequent editions.

As February approaches, industry watchers are keenly observing how upcoming films will shape the box office landscape. With Sankranthi delivering fireworks, all eyes are now on Hindi cinema’s next move. Will Hindi cinema reclaim its dominance, or will Telugu films continue their reign?

February 19, 2025
Nine arrested in latest raids on pirates of popular Hindi films in Delhi markets

NEW DELHI: Despite frantic efforts by filmmakers and producers of software, piracy continues unabated and those who enforce the law – police – only act when complaints are filed instead of keeping a regular tab on law breakers.

In raids at various locations in the capital, Delhi Police has found pirated copies of films like Great Grand Masti, Sultan, and Udta Punjab and arrested nine persons found guilty of not only selling pirated versions of these films but also pornographic contents.

The action followed a complaint by Balaji Telefilms about its forthcoming Great Grand Masti directed by Indra Kumar.

When police officers acting as potential customers approached some of the shops known to carry such films, they were offered up to fifty films for just Rs fifty for downloading on pendrives.

One report recently said over 1,50,000 people had downloaded the pirated version of Sultan.

A majority of those arrested are from Lajpat Rai Market, Old Lajpat Nagar market, Kotla Mubarakpur, Tughlakabad Extension, Old Seempuri, Malviya Nagar and Chandni Chowk areas.

Following complaints, around 20 teams of Crime Branch posing as potential buyers reached six different locations. The sellers agreed to copy the films on their pendrives for only Rs 50. .

During the raids, police also found pornographic content being sold by the sellers. All of the accused have been booked under IPC section 292 for selling pornographic material and Section 63 of Copy Right Act.

July 8, 2016
Nine arrested in latest raids on pirates of popular Hindi films in Delhi markets

NEW DELHI: Despite frantic efforts by filmmakers and producers of software, piracy continues unabated and those who enforce the law – police – only act when complaints are filed instead of keeping a regular tab on law breakers.

In raids at various locations in the capital, Delhi Police has found pirated copies of films like Great Grand Masti, Sultan, and Udta Punjab and arrested nine persons found guilty of not only selling pirated versions of these films but also pornographic contents.

The action followed a complaint by Balaji Telefilms about its forthcoming Great Grand Masti directed by Indra Kumar.

When police officers acting as potential customers approached some of the shops known to carry such films, they were offered up to fifty films for just Rs fifty for downloading on pendrives.

One report recently said over 1,50,000 people had downloaded the pirated version of Sultan.

A majority of those arrested are from Lajpat Rai Market, Old Lajpat Nagar market, Kotla Mubarakpur, Tughlakabad Extension, Old Seempuri, Malviya Nagar and Chandni Chowk areas.

Following complaints, around 20 teams of Crime Branch posing as potential buyers reached six different locations. The sellers agreed to copy the films on their pendrives for only Rs 50. .

During the raids, police also found pornographic content being sold by the sellers. All of the accused have been booked under IPC section 292 for selling pornographic material and Section 63 of Copy Right Act.

July 8, 2016
4th Gionne Star GiMA sees outstanding success

MUMBAI: The 4^th Gionee Star Global Indian Music Academy (GiMA) Awards powered by Reliance 3G unfolded this evening at NSCI Stadium, Worli. Initiated by Wizcraft International to applaud the finest achievements in the music Industry, GiMA has grown into an established dais that unites the biggest musical talents in the country onto a common stage.

The ceremony hosted by Ranveer Singh featured some of the best performances by some of the finest stalwarts in the music industry as well as some of the brightest stars of Bollywood. Asha Bhosle’s also paid tribute to music legend R.D. Burman with her performance on some of his most iconic songs Mera Naam Shabnam, Dum Maro Dum, Gulabi Chehra, Duniya Mein and Aa Dekhe Zara among others.

The evening also saw a spellbinding performance by Sonakshi Sinha who performed as last year’s ceremony as well. With an exciting segment hosted by the hit comedian Kapil Sharma and some electrifying performances by Mika and Honey Singh, the evening hit all the high notes.

The love story Aashiqui 2 walked away with 6 GiMA awards leading in the film category. The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Honour was awarded to Asha Bhosle in the Popular category for her outstanding contribution to the music industry. Pt Ram Narayan, considered the finest sarangi exponent in the country and the man who made it a popular instrument was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Honour – Classical.

On winning Best Playback Singer Female, Shreya Ghosal said, “It’s very special when you win an award, it reminds you that there is so much work to do, so much more music to enthrall audiences, I am very proud to be a part of this industry. Aashiqui 2 has definitely been the flavor of the year.”

The show also showcased a host of promising and upcoming artistes including Aditya Narayan, Shefali Alvares, Ankit Tiwari, Sreeram, Bhoomi, Aditi Singh Sharma, Siddharth Mahadevan and Nikhil Paul George come together in a very special act, rendering the chart busters of the year gone by. Usha Uthup also had a special performance singing a number of songs, most notably, Skyfall.

The 4^th edition of the Gionee Star GiMA Awards is presented by Gionee and Star TV and powered by Reliance 3G. Brand Partners for the event are Renault and the Videocon Group.

January 21, 2014
UTV announces its first production in Telugu with superstar Mahesh Babu

MUMBAI: UTV Motion Pictures has announced its first production in Telugu with superstar Mahesh Babu, to be written and directed by Koratala Siva of Mirchi film fame. The film will go on the floors in July 2014 and will be presented in association with Indira Productions.

“We are extremely delighted to commence our journey in the Telugu film industry, which is the second biggest industry in India after Hindi films, with our own production starring superstar Mahesh Babu and director Koratala Siva, a popular writer and director in Telugu with many superhit films to his credit. We believe in the power of great storytelling and have proven the same in the South with our Malayalam and Tamil slate. Now we venture into Telugu cinema with a story which will appeal to all types of audiences and are gearing up to produce the film on the large scale it deserves,” said Disney UTV South business – studios chief G. Dhananjayan.

Mahesh Babu said, “I am happy to be a part of UTV’s first Telugu Production, which is directed by Koratala Siva and presented in association with Indira Productions. Looking forward to the experience!”

“It is a privilege to write and direct my third film with Disney UTV, that too with the superstar Mahesh Babu and I am looking forward to commence the pre-production immediately after my current assignment,” said writer-director Koratala Siva.

The lead heroine, other artistes and technicians for the film are yet to be finalised.

October 20, 2013