2024 proved to be a roller-coaster year for
the Indian film Industry. As compared to
2023, the year 2024 began with a slow start but, reached its peak by the end of the
year.
There were some obvious reasons for the
slow start like the lack of superstar-driven films in 2023, Shah Rukh Khan
gave Jawan, Ranbir Kapoor delivered Animal and Sunny Deol gave Gadar 2. Another
reason was weak scripts, as the films lacked compelling narratives regardless
of star power. The year also saw a trend
of re-releases which attracted audiences craving for well-told storytelling and
powerful screenplay, rather than flashy films with new titles.
The second half of 2024 gave several
blockbuster films achieving significant box office success, defying the notion
that the Hindi Film industry is losing its charm. There came the rise of pan-India
films, a trend that is starting to redefine the Indian box office and bringing
audiences together like never before. 2024 presented a diverse range of genres
from horror-comedies and action-packed epics to sci-fi adventures, showcasing
the continued appeal of Indian cinema. The second half of movies like Stree 2,
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Singham Again, reignited the box office collections
acting as crowd pullers attracting, audiences back to theatres. These films
demonstrated that the Hindi film industry continues to produce content with
great storytelling that resonates with audiences, leading to substantial box
office earnings, while at the same time challenging the perception of a decline
in the Hindi Film industry's appeal.
Here are some of the 2024 Blockbusters
along with the factors that made them what they are, successfully
contradicting, the notion that Bollywood is losing its charm and relevance in
the current entertainment landscape.
Stree 2
Stree 2 emerged as the year’s second
biggest hit, at the box office which was released on Independence Day. Made
with a production cost of around 60 crores. The film grossed ₹739.40 crores in
India and ₹134.30 crores internationally, totalling ₹873.79 crores worldwide. The
Amar Kaushik Directed horror-comedy sequel to Stree (2018) continued to captivate audiences with its unique blend of horror, suspense and social
comedy. The sequel yet again reinforced Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao’s
bankability. The film also featured popular actors Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti
Khurana, Abhishek Bannerji and Tamanna Bhatia in cameos, who were widely
appreciated. The star power of these actors helped draw audiences to watch the
film.
The strongest point of the film was the
traditional legacy and mythological nuances that the film carried forward. The
sequel expanded on the intriguing mix of horror and humour, introducing new
characters like 'Sarkata' and exploring themes of fear, supernatural powers and
superstitions, that kept audiences hooked. The film incorporated social themes,
particularly focusing on gender roles and societal fears, which added a layer
of depth to the story. This made it not just a horror-comedy, but also a
conversation starter.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
Kartik Aaryan’s return to the horror-comedy
genre received roaring applause from fans. While Vidya Balan reprised her
iconic role, Madhuri Dixit enhanced the fear factor by joining the lead cast.
Although Bhool Bhulaiya 3, clashed with Singham Again on the opening day, it
didn't affect its performance proving the popularity of the franchise. The
production budget for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 was reportedly Rs 150 crore, while the
film earned a total of ₹417.51 crore worldwide.
Bhool Bhulaiya 3 continued its legacy with
this instalment, blending suspense horror and comedy in a unique formula
wherein the scares were intense, but the comic moments lightened the mood,
making it accessible to both horror fans and those looking for lighter
entertainment. The film received audience appreciation with its engaging plot
and memorable performances by Kartik Aryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, Tripti Dimri and Raghuvir Yadav. The film’s success can be attributed to its
engaging plot. With a mix of supernatural elements, mystery, psychological
thrills, unexpected twists and intriguing character, developments. The film
ensured that even those familiar with the earlier films stayed hooked.
Singham Again
Ajay Devgn returned to his most iconic role
as Bajirao Singham in this Rohit Shetty-directed cop drama sequel. Packed with
star power, including Kareena Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone,
Singham Again held its ground during the Diwali weekend, collecting Rs 350
crores. Singham Again was a no-profit,
no-loss venture, with a total revenue of approximately Rs 340 crore and a
budget of around Rs 350 crores. The film is ranked as one of the most expensive
films in the Singham franchise, which created a success story, with a global
gross that was the biggest for Ajay Devgn to date.
The success of Singham Again as a
blockbuster can be attributed to several factors like Ajay Devgn's iconic
portrayal of Bajirao Singham with his commanding screen presence, and powerful
dialogues resonating with the masses. The films over the top action-packed
sequences, car stunts, and explosions, are marked as the signature of Rohit Shetty's
direction of the high-octane drama, attracting the action movie lovers. The
film tapped themes like Patriotism and
justice thus, creating an emotional bond with the audience, while the background score and Music of the film
amplified the high-energy drama enhancing its appeal.
Fighter
Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s
aerial action thriller lived up to the expectations. Despite receiving a mixed
reception at the box office, it grossed ₹237 crore in India and ₹344.46 crore worldwide. The success of Fighter can be primely
attributed to its star power with Hrithik Roshan's charisma and unmatched
screen presence, bringing immense appeal to an action-packed role as an Indian Air Force Pilot. Deepika Padukone complemented him as a female Indian Airforce
Pilot drawing a wide audience to witness this exotic pair bestowing a great
chemistry together. The film is India's first serial action drama which is a
new theme hardly explored before in Bollywood. The film brought a novelty with
aerial sequences with Hollywood-level precision using real fighter Jets. The
film's realistic depiction of a war combat situation touched the patriotic
emotions of the audiences. Siddharth Anand's stylish action film reputation has
yet again set a benchmark in Indian cinema with Fighter. The film’s stunning
breathtaking visuals, cinematography, top-notch VFX and powerful background
score, amplified the film’s thrilling and emotional moments, making it an
immersive cinematic experience. South Cinema took the Centre stage in 2024.
The year 2024 was a big year for South Indian cinema, which took centre stage especially Telugu films, which succeeded in wooing audiences not only from the regional states but also in the Hindi-speaking market of northern India. These films managed to exceed Bollywood's biggest blockbusters of the year, proving the power of great storytelling, that transcends language barriers.
Pushpa 2: The Rule
Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2's Hindi Version was a
juggernaut performing better than the original Telugu version. The Hindi Version of the action-packed sequel
Pushpa 2: The Rule, rules the box office this year with a whopping collection
of ₹715.75 crores in India, and worldwide 1800 crores to date, making it the
highest-grossing film of 2024. The film's net Budget being 500 crores, is still
growing which shows almost triple the profit, while it captured the hearts of
the global audiences.
It is significant that despite coming
from the South Indian film industry, Pushpa 2 with its Hindi Version is poised to
occupy the top spot in 2024. Before it, in earlier years Baahubali 2: The
Conclusion held the record in Hindi for 5-6 years until Jawan, Pathaan, Gadar
2, and Stree 2 came along.
Directed by Sukumar, the film's success is
driven by its compelling storyline. The sequel continued the high-octane
-action of the original Pushpa, with a gripping story, and charismatic and
unique portrayal of the anti-hero character, Pushpa Raj, played by Allu Arjun.
The sequel banks on the strong fan base and the legacy that the original had
created. Pushpa 2 picks up the story where the first film left off, with the
protagonist facing new challenges and power struggles involving crime
syndicates and politics, which kept the audiences hooked eager to see how the
story would unfold.
The films bring to the audience a larger-than-life
action hero Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna as his lady love, yet again in an
intoxicating chemistry. Their onscreen romance is complemented well with
brilliant music and chart-topping songs, creating a cinematic experience. The
star power played a huge role in attracting audiences, especially in Hindi and
other markets outside of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The makers have left no stone unturned to
make the film a visual treat with impressive cinematography using rugged raw
traditional village aesthetics and landscapes creating a gripping atmosphere
that became relatable to Indian society across rural, small towns and
urban cities. Pushpa 2 broke multiple records at the Indian box office. The
film has successfully completed four weeks in theatres and is still earning in
double digits.
Kalki 2898 AD
The sci-fi based on the Epic Mahabharata,
Kalki 2898 AD stood out for its unique blend of mythology and futuristic elements,
combined with its star-studded cast including Prabhas, Deepika Padukone,
Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan, their presence brought massive pan-Indian
appeal across diverse audiences.
Directed by Mahanati who's known to handle
complex narratives with a unique creative vision. The film captivated audiences
with its innovative storytelling and visual effects. The larger-than-life film
was made on a budget of Rs 600 crores which crossed over Rs 1200 crore
worldwide.
With its futuristic storytelling
incorporating elements of mythology, and philosophy in combination with
technology, high-quality visual effects and an innovative approach to incorporate the sci-fi genre, the film attracted both audiences from younger and older
generations.
The film's sets, along with world-class
VFX, led by international studios and Dani Sanchez-Lopez’s cinematography,
brought the fictional futuristic universe alive, while the background music
amplified the emotional and dramatic moments, leaving a lasting impact. The
film received critics appreciation for Amitabh Bachchan's performance as
Ashwathama who anchored the film actually portraying an old soul wandering on
the earth for centuries.
2024, saw another trend of several
low-budget Bollywood films becoming blockbusters. These films demonstrated that
great storytelling can be more powerful than extravagant visuals and that
audiences are increasingly looking for substance over spectacle.
Munjya
Films like Munjya a Hindi Horror-Comedy
with a budget of Rs 30 crore became unexpected blockbusters making Rs. 107
crores at the box office in India and 132 crores worldwide. Directed by Aditya
Sarpotdar, starring Abhinav Verma and Sharvari Wagh in the lead roles, the film
achieved remarkable success, due to its unique concept and storyline and
screenplay centred on the legend of the 'Munjya,' a spirit from Konkan
folklore, following the protagonist's encounters with this supernatural entity.
The film received critics' appreciation for its atmospheric setting and engaging performances offering entertaining escapades for viewers seeking a horror-comedy experience, despite some unanswered questions that keep the mystery alive. Viewers found the film's unique atmosphere, as creepy and funny, as the film blends well horror with comedy, leaving them wanting more. Rooted in Marathi folklore, the film resonated with regional audiences while its universal themes and humour appealed to a wider demographic, enhancing its overall success.
Laapataa Ladies
The satirical drama Laapataa Ladies
directed by Kiran Rao, despite its modest budget of 10 crores earned 20
crores at the box office in India and 25 crores worldwide, achieving notable success
because of its unique storyline and a compelling narrative about two newly-wed
brides who were exchanged during a train journey, offering a fresh perspective
that captivated audiences.
The film banked on strong performances and
not on stardom. Ravi Kishan, Sparsh Srivastava, Pratibha Ranta, and Nitanshi
Goel deliver authentic portrayals, enhancing the film's appeal. The film
received Critical acclaim and Positive reviews highlighting the film's
storytelling and direction, contributing to its success. The film was screened
at many international festivals receiving many accolades such as Best Film (Critics'
Choice) at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, boosting its visibility. In
spite of the limited budget, the creative directors focused on efficient production
techniques, strong writing and performances over expensive effects. The film
reached a wider audience with word of mouth and digital platform success
achieving significant viewership.
For 2025 Bollywood film-makers need to
forge ahead to create more relevant and less predictable films. Filmmakers must
try new concepts rather than making formula films that are stale and don't
interest audiences who want more innovation. It's also important
for the filmmakers to shift their focus to the younger generation which watches
international cinema on streaming platforms and wants to see Bollywood films at
par with them, both in concepts and execution.
Over-commercialization and focus on big
budgets, star power, and box office sometimes overshadow the emphasis on
storytelling and quality. This has led to films that feel more like products
rather than artistic expressions. Film-makers need to be socially conscious to
make thought-provoking films rather than promoting regressive values outdated
gender stereotypes, and lack of diversity.
It's time to tell fresh stories and get back to the roots. There is a need to draw attention towards regional stories, anecdotes and legends, good literature, epics and texts which are socially relevant, and which bring out innovative thoughts. This will give rise to innovative regional cinema space, enhancing employment opportunities to local people. These films can be showcased both on the big screen and the OTT platforms which has made the job easy for filmmakers to showcase diverse content to global audiences as per their tastes and expectations. Instead of high production values, filmmakers need to invest more in attention to detail and in-depth storytelling, that will once again set the industry apart.
