FESTIVAL FORTUNES
India’s 2025 field workplace kicked off in excessive gear, powered by a Sankranthi holiday-fueled Telugu-language onslaught that pushed native grosses previous the INR10,130 million ($116.6 million) mark. Main the cost was “Sankranthiki Vasthunam,” starring Venkatesh, a genre-bending blockbuster that towered over the month’s chart with a commanding $23 million haul.
Per Ormax Media, January’s Indian native gross, not counting abroad numbers, was bolstered by three Telugu juggernauts – “Sankranthiki Vasthunam,” “Sport Changer,” and “Daaku Maharaaj” – which collectively amassed over $55 million) The trio’s dominance ensured Telugu cinema accounted for a staggering 44% of the month’s field workplace share.
The success of “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” underscores Telugu cinema’s continued stranglehold on Sankranthi, a peak season that routinely delivers high-octane performers. The movie, which defied style conventions, resonated strongly with audiences, proving that competition season stays fertile floor for Telugu tentpoles. Usually, Tamil-language cinema additionally roars throughout this era, with the Pongal competition holidays falling on the identical dates as Sankranthi. Nonetheless, this yr, Tamil’s sole breakout was “Madha Gaja Raja,” which managed a decent $5.7 million tally.
In the meantime, the Hindi-language Bollywood noticed a sluggish begin to 2025, with solely “Sky Drive” being successful in January with $11.5 million, protecting the business’s market share beneath 30%. Tamil movies claimed 12% of the month’s earnings, whereas Malayalam productions secured 9%.
FEMME FORWARD
Ladies’s hub, the She Pavilion, is because of launch at this yr’s Cannes Movie Pageant. The initiative comes from Sure She Cannes, after their profitable Her Membership Cannes debut at Villa Forbes final yr. Whereas specializing in feminine empowerment, the pavilion will welcome all genders, serving as a networking nexus and protected area for business professionals navigating the fest. Programming will embody panels and unique occasions geared toward boosting underrepresented voices within the biz. Prop child outfit Cinebaby has signed on as a key companion.
“This hub is not only one other venue – it’s a neighborhood, a spot for collaboration and empowerment,” says Sure She Cannes founder Religion Elizabeth. “By creating the She Pavilion, we’re guaranteeing that ladies at Cannes have a spot the place they really feel supported, related, and empowered to take up area within the business.”
QUEER QUEST
Actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal have signed on to current “Faucets,” an LGBTQ+ relationship drama, for its YouTube premiere. The brief movie, directed by Arvind Caulagi, was produced by Sudhanshu Saria in partnership with Kashish Movie Pageant and Lotus Visible Productions. The movie, starring newcomers Ullas Samrat and Ronit Mehra, explores a pair’s journey towards reconciliation. It earned recognition because the recipient of the Kashish QDrishti Movie Grant earlier than its competition run.
“Cinema can shift views,” Chadha stated. “‘Faucets’ peels again the layers of identification, love, and self-acceptance. We would like folks to open their hearts just a little extra.” Fazal added: “The movie captures one thing intimate, uncooked, and actual. It reminds us that love isn’t nearly who we love however how we love —with honesty, braveness, and resilience.”
Producer Saria, identified for “Loev,” drew parallels between the 2 tasks: “It felt like the proper option to construct on ‘Loev’s legacy in queer cinema by supporting one other story that normalizes queer illustration.” Co-producer Neeraj Churi added: “Tales like ‘Faucets’ are about illustration and holding a mirror to society, asking if we’re prepared to simply accept love in all its kinds.”
MODERN MAYHEM
India’s Jio Studios, Merry Go Spherical Studios and Mumbai Talkeez have unveiled the trailer for his or her upcoming household comedy “Kaushaljis vs Kaushal,” helmed by director Seemaa Desai.
The movie facilities on 27-year-old Yug Kaushal, who trades his small-town Kannauj life for Delhi’s city panorama. When his criticism of his mother and father’ conventional life-style unexpectedly leads them to think about a mutual separation whereas embracing modernity, Yug should navigate the unintended penalties of his actions.
The venture is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Umesh Shukhla, Ashish Wagh and Parag Desai, and explores themes of urbanization and evolving household dynamics by a comedic lens. It set to stream on JioHotstar, the platform fashioned by the approaching collectively of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, from Feb. 21.
