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2025 was replete with lessons for the film industry and trade, should they ever bother to see a rather too-transparent writing on the wall. Several filmmakers have stated that they learn more from flops than their or others’ hits, but it is a moot point whether they see the reflected truth.
The most important factors were a handful of standout hits, almost a 100 theatrical flops, also-rans and lukewarm successes, and media hype scoring over merit. In no year was the industry blinded so much by self-praise, a deceptive vision of big money coming in, wrong perceptions and many other evils that undid cinema quality-wise as well as success-wise. Figures were fudged unbelievable extents, but the audiences sensed or guessed the truth.
For impartial observers, as well as of course, the audience, we saw a total abhorrence of proposals pretending to be films with content, a rejection of stars and big names if they did not match up, that is, choose the right films, and the axiomatic premise that money spent in the right way will bring it back with interest.
The blockbusters
Dhurandhar is nearing the global gross Rs. 1200 crore mark, and the Indian net collection stands at Rs. 754.50 cr. (as per Bollywoodhungama.com). The second position goes to Chhaava (Rs. 797 cr. / Rs. 615. 39 cr.) and the third to Saiyaara (Rs. 579 cr. / Rs. 337 cr.). However, in ROI terms, the third film was low-cost at a mere Rs. 45 cr.
Hits, successes and the debatables!
Sitaare Zameen Par, Raid 2, Thamma, Tere Ishk Mein and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat were definite plus-es, while Housefull 5 did well in movie halls but could not recover its massive budget. The other ‘debatables’ (hits or flops as per footfalls / collections / return on investment) include Jolly LLB 3, Kesari Chapter 2, Jatt, Sky Force and the modest-budgeted Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.
Apart from these, The Diplomat, Bhool Chuk Maaf and Metro…In Dino were said to be modestly successful.
Disasters & Anonymous movies
War 2, Sikandar, Maalik, Deva, Mastiii 4 and Son of Sardaar 2 led the disasters, while Ground Zero, 120 Bahadur and De De Pyaar De 2 also flopped.
Interestingly, there was a surfeit of anonymous movies that hardly anyone knew about: movies like Baida, Murderbaad, Ghich Pich, Achaari Baa and at least 20 more such names.
Sequel Crash
For the first time in four years, sequels failed to set the box-office singing. As seen above, Raid 2 as said above was a hit, and Housefull 5 did make money (in the theatre), but Kesari Chapter 2, Jolly LLB 3 and De De Pyaar De 2 underperformed and did not recover budgets, and Son of Sardaar 2, War 2, Mastiii 4, Baaghi 4 and Dhadak 2 were all disasters. Chhorii 2, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 (they are planning to re-release the film in January as it faced Dhurandhar!) and Andaaz 2 were non-starters. Conclusion: Make movies, not proposals.
We will look next at what we watched in the quiet confines of home on OTT in 2025.
