The first six months of 2025 have been a roller-coaster ride for India, with the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s brave response in the form of Operation Sindoor being everyone’s focus. However, the film business remained unaffected. According to an Ormax report, the cumulative total for 2025’s releases, till May, stood at Rs. 4,812 crore, 27% higher than the same period in 2024.

Actor Sonu Sood’s Fateh (Rs. 12.85 crore), Rasha Thadani and Aaman Devgan-starrer Azaad (Rs. 6.32 crore), actor Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency (Rs. 16.52 crore) and actor Shahid Kapoor’s Deva couldn’t set the cash registers ringing. Sky Force featuring Akshay Kumar did manage to break even.

Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava became this year’s highest grosser so far. Made on a budget of Rs. 130 crore, the period drama earned Rs. 600 crore. Actors Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor’s Loveyapa only collected Rs. 7 crore, against a budget of Rs. 60 crore.

While Sunny Deol’s Jaat (Rs. 89.50 crore) and Akshay Kumar’s Kesari Chapter 2 did well, Salman Khan’s Sikandar, made on a budget of Rs. 200 crore, failed.

Ajay Devgn-starrer Raid 2 did well with Rs. 173.28 crore. Also, Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi’s Bhool Chuk Maaf had a decent run with Rs. 74.18 crore.

June had two clean hits so far — Housefull 5 and actor Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, which has been running successfully. Actor Kajol’s horror-mythological drama Maa got a slow start.

“Barring Chhaava, we have not had a true blockbuster. Raid 2 and Jaat did well. I hope the second half is better. I feel the smaller and medium-budget films need to do well in theatres, as we don’t have a big release every week. Bhool Chuk Maaf did well in the two-week window it had between theatrical and digital release.”

- Taran Adarsh, Trade analyst

“2025 has not been so good. Sikandar not working was a shock. Kesari Chapter 2 and Housefull 5 worked. Before the pandemic, such films would run, not just work. We are still struggling, businesswise.”

- Atul Mohan, Trade analyst

“The first half of 2025 saw strong theatrical momentum, led by Chhaava, Raid 2, Bhool Chuk Maaf, Kesari Chapter 2, Sitaare Zameen Par and Jaat. Hollywood also contributed with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning becoming the first Hollywood release to cross ₹100 crore in 2025 and a solid performance by Final Destination Bloodlines and How to Train Your Dragon. Regional cinema, including Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films, contributed ₹3,600 crore to the box office.”

- Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinepolis India

Chhaava - Rs. 600.10 crore

Raid 2 - Rs. 178.08 crore

Sky Force - Rs. 131.44 crore

Housefull 5 - Rs. 156.40 crore

Kesari Chapter 2 - Rs. 93.28 crore

Sitaare Zameen Par - Rs. 107.68 crore

Sikandar - Rs. 103.45 crore

Deva - Rs. 32.07 crore

Loveyapa - 7.04 crore

(Figures as per all-India collections, according to trade estimates and Bollywood Hungama)