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Tag: Tamil movies

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

    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+

    Box Office Report

    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?

     

  • Zee5 announces content slate of 20 Tamil originals for 2022

    Zee5 announces content slate of 20 Tamil originals for 2022

    Mumbai: OTT streaming service Zee5 is all set to launch 20 Tamil original series in 2022, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) chief cluster officer – South (linear and OTT) Siju Prabhakaran told IndianTelevision.com. Zee5 Tamil and Telugu language content library is second only to Hindi language content.

    The content lineup was announced at a star-studded gala in Chennai ahead of the Tamil New Year. The event was attended by director, screenwriter, and producer Vetrimaaran who is releasing his first original series “Nilamellam Ratham” featuring Ameer and music by Yuvan Shankar Raja on Zee5.

    He was joined by Prakash Raj who will star in a drama series “Anantham,” veteran actor Radikaa Sarathkumar who will feature in the political drama “Thalamai Seyalagam” and Kalidas Jayaram who will appear in “Paper Rocket.”

     Zee5’s Tamil content slate includes director Vijay’s teen dance drama “Five-Six-Seven-Eight,” “Kolaigara Kairegaial” directed by SR Prabhakaran and the mystical thriller “Aindham Vedham.”

    The showcase included a sneak peek into upcoming titles such as “Alma Mater,” “Ayali,” “Fingertip season 2” and films such as “Yaanai” featuring Arun Vijay and Priya Bhavani Shankar, “Thamezharasan” starring Vijay Anthony, Suresh Gopi, Sonu Sood and Remya Nambeesan.

    The cast and crew for Zee5’s most-watched Tamil original “Vilangu” were present at the event as well as the lead cast and crew of their shows “Malaysia to Amnesia” and “Vinodhaya Sitham.” Recently, Zee5 premiered the film “Valimai” starring Ajith which recorded 500 million streaming minutes of watch time on the platform, it said.

    “It is encouraging to see the momentum Zee5 has gained in expanding entertainment exposure for the creators and consumers alike with real, engaging, and authentic multilingual storytelling,” said Zee5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra. “Tapping into the hotbed of entertainment resulted in exponential success for us in the state of Tamil Nadu. Today, Zee5 has disrupted the Tamil industry with phenomenal response to content, bringing the best of Tamil talent to showcase their artistry across the globe. 2022 will see us double down on our focus for our viewers here and we have ensured the content lineup has something for everyone.”

    “We have been successful in creating a strong content repository for Zee5, offering a diverse range of content to viewers by leaning on our strong legacy and market expertise,” said Zeel’s Siju Prabhakaran. “The year is about to get more exciting as we bring to you over ten captivating original series and some of the most anticipated blockbuster movies, which will be available for our viewers in India and worldwide. The vibrant slate includes shows such as ‘Anantham’ featuring the prolific Prakash Raj, Vetrimaaran’s original series ‘Nilamellam Ratham’, new themes like Paper Rocket by ‘Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi,’ the return of a popular IP ‘Fingertip’ and many more to keep you captivated and at the edge of your seats. Besides, we are also keen to bring to fore stories which are the vision of promising budding makers and showcase fresh talent which may define the future of the Tamil OTT segment.”

    “We are delighted with the exponential growth of Zee5 in establishing itself as a prominent player in India’s exploding OTT ecosystem, especially our success with viewers across Tamil Nadu,” said Zeel’s head of content strategy business unit across TV and digital and international business Punit Misra. “We believe our clear design thinking and strategic approach to building a compelling slate along with our partnerships with the best of talent in Tamil Nadu and other key markets, will help accelerate the platform’s popularity further. What sets us apart is our approach to content design, which we call #SoultoScreen, which rests on an intimate understanding of the culture and people, creating stories and characters that are inspired from their life and crafted to stoke their imagination.”

  • Suriya’s 2D Entertainment strengthens partnership with Prime Video

    Suriya’s 2D Entertainment strengthens partnership with Prime Video

    Mumbai: Amazon Prime Video India has signed an exclusive deal with Suriya’s 2D Entertainment. As part of this collaboration, the next four Tamil movies from 2D Entertainment will premiere directly on Prime Video worldwide over the next four months.

    2D Entertainment’s upcoming titles will mark their direct-to-service world premieres on Amazon Prime Video.

    The line-up includes titles like ‘Jai Bhim’ (November 2021) – a legal drama starring Suriya along with Prakash Raj, Rao Ramesh, Lijomol Jose, Rajisha Vijayan and Manikandan. ‘Udanpirappe’ (October 2021) – a family drama starring Sasi Kumar, Jyotika, Samudrakani, Soori, Kalaiyarasan, Niveditha Sathish and Siddhu. ‘Raman Aandalum Ravanan Aandalum’ (September 2021) – a satire comedy drama starring Ramya Pandian, Vani Bhojan, Mithun Manickam and Vadivel Murugan.  ‘Oh My doG’ (December 2021) – a kid’s film starring Arnav Vijay, Arun Vijay, Vijay Kumar, Mahima Nambiar and Vinay Rai.

    “At Prime Video, we have one of the largest libraries of Tamil movies in the country,” said Amazon Prime Video director and head of content, Vijay Subramaniam. “This association comes on the back of the incredible love that 2D Entertainment’s Soorarai Pottru and Ponmangal Vandhal received from audiences worldwide. Our local language movies, over the past year, have broken viewership records to register 50 per cent of audiences outside their home state. International viewers accounted for up to 20 per cent of total audiences of local language direct-to-service films.”

    2D Entertainment, founder and producer, actor, Suriya said, “The past year has been transformative. Given unprecedented circumstances, we innovated on different models of release. Amazon emerged as the chosen streaming service for 2D’s latest film launches. We are happy to take this collaboration even further with Amazon Prime Video.”

  • Zee Thirai unveils film slate for its multi-genre week programme

    Zee Thirai unveils film slate for its multi-genre week programme

    Mumbai: With a continued focus to provide consistent entertainment, Zee Thirai gears up to air back-to-back blockbusters in the upcoming week starting 19 July. The channel is all set to amaze viewers this week with its wide spectrum of films that are sure to enthrall viewers of all generations.

    The highlight of this multi-genre week is the suspense thriller Kalidas which will air on Sunday, 25 July, at 1 pm. The film marked the successful comeback of Bharath who plays the role of the central character Kalidas. Caught in the dilemma of deciding between his duties and saving his sinking marital life, things get serious when he notices a common pattern of suicide cases.

    Throughout the week, the channel airs gripping and engrossing films with the mystery thriller Saithan on Monday, 19 July at 1 pm. Starring Vijay Antony and Arundhathi Nair, the superhit film leaves the viewers completely smitten by the mysterious plotline.

    On Tuesday, 20 July at 7 pm watch the comedy film Naan Sirithal starring Hip Hop Aadhi and Ishwarya Menon in a hilarious screenplay with Badava Gopi and Eruma Sani Vijay.

    Mehendi Circus will air on Wednesday, 21 July at 4:30 pm, the heart-warming romantic story is sure to give you #couplegoals.

    This will be followed by Gypsy on Thursday, 22 July at 7 pm, a film that portrays the impact of politicisation of religion and its effects on people.

    On Friday, 23 July at 7 pm, audiences will enjoy the action-adventure film Vanamagan starring Jayam Ravi and Sayeesha in lead roles.

    Last for the week on Saturday, is the comedy-drama Ithu Kathirvelan Kadhal at 3:30 pm on 24 July starring Udhayanidhi Stalin and Nayanthara in the lead with Saranya Ponvannan and Santhanam playing pivotal roles.

  • Zee Thirai brings to you a matinee movie experience with ‘1 Mani Thirai Arangam’

    Zee Thirai brings to you a matinee movie experience with ‘1 Mani Thirai Arangam’

    MUMBAI: Zee Thirai, in the true spirit of its brand tag line “Rathathil Kalandhadu Cinema” is set to dazzle ardent movie buffs with yet another special segment – 1 – Mani Thirai Arangam – creating a matinee experience in the comfort of your homes. The uniqueness of this segment offering is that every week, the channel will curate seven of Tamil cinema’s finest based on a special theme. Now Tamil movie enthusiasts can have a no holds barred movie viewing experience as matinee shows are set to become synonymous with Zee Thirai!

    The first of the themes called 'Mersal Heroines', will showcase an eclectic mix of women-centric movies.  Tamil Cinema is a land full of stories and genres, with a strong collection of women-led films that have set a benchmark for fresh and unique story telling. Reflecting the nature of strong Tamil women, the films being telecasted next week bring out stories of strong willed, independent, yet every-day women. It is sure to keep ardent fans enthralled for a week starting 21 December 2020, at 1:00pm every day.  Beyond this, week on week, the audiences will be served with a fresh buffet of unique and carefully curated thematic movies which will keep them coming back for more.

    The below movies will be screened on Zee Thirai during the week of 21 December  – 27 December  at 1:00 pm.

    21 December – Devi 2

    22 December – Lisaa 3D

    23 December – Nadigaiyar Thilagam

    24 December – Dora

    25 December – Kanaa

    26 December – Baagamathie

    27 December – Mohini

    Devi 2 is a horror comedy drama starring Tamannah Bhatia in the lead role, and Prabhu Deva, Nandita Swetha, Jagan, and Kovai Sarala n supporting roles and is a sequel to the 2016 movie Devi. Lisaa 3D is also a horror flick and India’s first ever stereoscopic 3D horror film that stars Anjali, Sam Jones, Makarand Deshpande and Yogi Babu in the lead roles. Nadigaiyar Thilagam, a critically acclaimed 2018 biography of the veteran yester year south Indian heroine, Savithri is the story of her journey from humble beginnings to extraordinary fame. The movie stars Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salman, Samantha and Vijay Devarakonda in pivotal roles.  Dora is a 2017 action horror-thriller movie at the centre of which is a woman – Pavalakkodi, played by Nayanthara – and a haunted car. This movie is definitely worth a watch for fans of spooky thrillers!

    The Sivakarthikeyan, Sathyaraj and Aishwarya Rajesh starrer, Kanaa is an inspiring sports drama about Kowsi (Aishwarya Rajesh) and Murugesan (Sathyaraj) and their shared dream of carving a place for Kowsi in the Indian women’s cricket team. The 2018 thriller-horror film, Bhaagamathie stars Anushka Shetty and Jayaram in the lead roles, and Unni Mukundan, Murali Sharma, and Asha Sarath in other pivotal roles.  Mohini is a Tamil horror film directed by Ramana Madhesh, starring Trisha and Jackky Bhagnani in the lead roles.

    Every day starting from 21 December 2020, catch 1-Mani Thirai Arangam at 1:00 pm only on Zee Thirai.