Chhava (Hindi): Leading the list is Chhava, Laxman Utekar’s epic historical action drama based on the life of Maratha warrior Sambhaji Maharaj. Headlined by Vicky Kaushal with Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna, the film released on February 14 and emerged as a massive box office juggernaut — raking in over ₹800 crore globally. Its combination of stirring patriotism and powerful storytelling struck a deep chord with audiences.
Dragon (Tamil): Dragon, directed by Ashwanth Marimutu, is a coming-of-age dramedy that quickly won hearts with its emotional depth and fresh storytelling. Featuring Pradeep in the lead alongside Anupama Parameswaran, the film was released on February 21 and has become the highest-grossing Tamil film of the year so far, earning over ₹130 crore worldwide.
Deva (Hindi): A remake of the Malayalam film Mumbai Police, Deva sees Shahid Kapoor take on a complex role in this psychological action thriller. Directed by Rosshan Andrrews, the film released on January 31 and, despite mixed reviews, managed to make a mark at the box office, grossing over ₹59 crore globally.
Raid 2 (Hindi): Seven years after the original, Raid 2 returns with Ajay Devgn reprising his role as IRS officer Amay Patnaik. This Raj Kumar Gupta directorial, also starring Riteish Deshmukh and Vaani Kapoor, struck gold at the box office with ₹243 crore worldwide, cementing its place as the third highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.
Retro (Tamil): With Suriya and Pooja Hegde in the lead, Karthik Subbaraj’s Retro blends romance, action, and thrills. Released on May 1, the film had a sensational opening and earned ₹235 crore globally, with its nostalgic yet edgy theme drawing strong responses.
The Diplomat (Hindi): Starring John Abraham and Sadia Khateeb, The Diplomat is a political thriller based on true events. Though it faced bans in Gulf nations and a delayed release, the film held its ground against stiff competition, earning over ₹52 crore globally since its release on March 14.
L2: Empuraan: Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, this action-packed sequel to Lucifer stars Mohanlal and became the first Malayalam film to release in IMAX and EPIQ formats. Released on March 27, L2: Empuraan has been a global success, grossing ₹268 crore — including a whopping ₹144 crore from overseas.
Sitaare Zameen Par (Hindi): Aamir Khan’s return to the big screen with Sitaare Zameen Par — a spiritual successor to his 2008 classic — has been met with applause. Co-starring Genelia Deshmukh and based on the Spanish film Champions, this sports comedy drama released on June 20 and earned ₹150 crore within 19 days.
Kesari Chapter 2 (Hindi): Telling the story of C. Sankaran Nair’s legal battle against the British Raj, this historical courtroom drama features Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday. Originally titled Shankara, the film was rebranded to Kesari Chapter 2 before its release and has earned ₹142 crore globally.
10. Vidaamuyarchi (Tamil): Inspired by the Hollywood thriller Breakdown, Magizh Thirumeni’s Vidaamuyarchi stars Ajith Kumar, Arjun, and Trisha. Released on February 6 after a slight delay, the action thriller has grossed ₹138 crore worldwide and continues to enjoy a strong fan following. (All images: IMDb)
Published at : 09 Jul 2025 08:52 PM (IST)
