Big-Budget Titans: Hits and Misses
Pushpa 2: The Rule was a standout success, proving that larger-than-life narratives with strong cultural or emotional connections could still dominate. The film, riding on the immense popularity of its predecessor, became a pan-India phenomenon, grossing over ₹1,600 crore globally. Similarly, Singham Again, Stree 2, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 drew audiences and reinforced the bankability of franchise-driven cinema. Nag Ashwin’s mythological science-fiction Kalki 2898, the most expensive Indian film ever made, became the second highest-grossing film of the year. Bad News and GOAT also managed not just to break even, but make a decent profit at the box office.
However, not all high-budget films met expectations. Siddharth Anand’s Fighter, despite featuring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, struggled to recoup its ₹300 crore budget. Bade Miyaan Chote Miyaan met a similar fate.
The Mid-Budget Marvels
Meanwhile, smaller and mid-budget films like Hanu-Man once again demonstrated the potential of storytelling. Made on a modest ₹40 crore, the Teja Sajja starrer wowed audiences with its fresh take on Indian mythology, grossing ₹300 crore globally. Kill also had decent box-office success and received critical acclaim, appealing to a niche audience. 2024 also saw a surge of female-centric narratives, with films like Crew doing well.
Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila, a biopic on the Punjabi music legend, was declared a hit. Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon-starrer Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, made on a budget of around ₹50 crore, ended up grossing over ₹130 crore globally. On the darker side, films like Sector 36 and CTRL, which released on Netflix, received positive responses from viewers. However, not all risks paid off. Sriram Raghavan’s Merry Christmas, starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi, which stood out to critics for its unique narrative, failed to have a good box-office run.
However, films like Jigra and The Buckingham Murders, starring Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor Khan, respectively, failed to garner numbers.
The Audience Shift
The disparity between high and low-budget films in 2024 echoed trends from 2023. While big-budget extravaganzas like Adipurush flopped, smaller films such as The Kerala Story and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke outperformed their budgets. This year saw the continuation of this shift, with films like Munjya, Laapataa Ladies, Manjummel Boys, and Shaitaan highlighting the power of heartfelt, authentic stories over formulaic blockbusters.
