ITV

Tag: Telugu cinema

  • 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?

     

  • aha collaborates with Sprite for its new campaign featuring Keerthi Suresh

    aha collaborates with Sprite for its new campaign featuring Keerthi Suresh

    Mumbai: The leading regional OTT platform, aha has partnered with Sprite in a co-branded partnership that is the first of its kind in Telugu-speaking states. The partnership includes a campaign entitled “Friday Night is perfect with Sprite and aha-100 per cent Telugu Entertainment,” featuring national award-winning actress Keerthi Suresh.

    It was launched with the idea of positioning Sprite as the preferred drink during OTT consumption on Fridays. Consumers can buy the Sprite bottles carrying the aha logo and scan the QR code to access 24 hours of free aha’s unlimited entertainment.

    This offer is exclusive to consumers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for a limited period. The ad film runs around how Keerthi is dodging her parents’ plan to attend a wedding just to chill at home watching a movie on aha with Sprite. The central insight in this campaign is how critical the Friday fix is for young consumers these days and how aha and Sprite give you that fix.

    Launched with a promise to provide non-stop entertainment, this partnership will be instrumental in allowing the audience in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to access the high-quality local content offered by aha and experience the entertainment in their native language. Viewers can watch over 250 films, including blockbusters like Bheemla Nayak, the DJ Tilluseries, and original shows like Dance Ikon and Unstoppable, for free for the first 24 hours before choosing from the platform’s multiple subscriptions.

    Commenting on this partnership, aha CEO Ajit K. Thakur said, “At aha, we have always tried disruptive innovations to reach our consumers and make 100 per cent local entertainment accessible. We are happy to partner with a leading brand like Sprite to bring great consumer delight. Our audience can access unlimited Telugu content for free by the mere scan of a QR code on a sprite bottle. We are confident that with partnerships like this, we can bring 100 per cent Telugu entertainment closer to Telugu-speaking audiences where they are.”

    Adding to it, aha head of non-subscription revenue Nitin Burman said, “We are thrilled to be working with the prestigious beverage brand Sprite. Sprite’s presence and strong emphasis on entertainment will make it possible for local consumer markets to function by providing appropriate entertainment at affordable prices. This collaboration will allow aha subscribers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to watch their favourite films, series, and shows on aha gold from the comfort of their own homes.”

    Speaking on this engagement and co-branded campaign with aha, Keerthy Suresh said, “I am excited to be associated with aha Telugu. This aha and Sprite partnership is innovative and helps Telugu audiences consume much more entertainment than before.”

  • Zee Cinemalu announces world television premiere of ‘Kurup’

    Zee Cinemalu announces world television premiere of ‘Kurup’

    Mumbai: The Dulquer Salman-starrer “Kurup” is all set to present its viewers with the world television premiere of “Kurup” in Telugu. A compelling tale of an unending hunt is making its way to television screens on 30 September at 6 p.m.

    “Kurup” will surely take movie buffs on a rip-roaring journey based on the life of the popular Indian fugitive and most-wanted criminal, Sukumara Kurup. The story revolves around Kurup and the greed that drives him to the world of lies, crime, and theft. Other than Dulquer, the movie features Sobhitha, Shine Tom, Indrajith, and Anupama Parameswaran in important roles.

    There are also a handful of cameos by well-known actors such as Manoj Bajpayee and Tovino Thomas, among others, to make the movie a must-watch, while the background score, songs, and gripping screenplay take the experience to the next level.

  • UTV announces its first production in Telugu with superstar Mahesh Babu

    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.