The year gone by saw so so results as there was collection of around 4000 crore from the Hindi films including a few dubbed films. In terms of collections, it would be the third best year after 2023 and 2019 with the latter being before the pandemic. However, the ticket prices are higher now even compared with 2023.

The problem is that there was plenty of feeding in this 4000 crore and this happened in big as well as small films. There was a week when three small films releases and collected 9 crore nett between them but 85-90% of this was feeding. This is just not understandable as to why its been done across the board. There are reputations to be held up and expectations and so, sometimes you know that is the reason. But here, its become film after film and many just do in some vain hope that it helps.

2025 has fallen around 8% short of 2023 but that year also had plenty of feeding and manufactured box office as well and maybe more than 2025. So, in reality the 4150 crore of 2019 remains the biggest year ever followed by 2023 and the 2025. The ticket pricing is far higher than 2019 and therefore, there is a heavy fall of footfalls. But this was happening before the pandemic as well with limited content for the wider audience. 

The year was driven by the bigger grossers as DHURANDHAR, CHHAAVA and SAIYAARA put up 40% of the business which makes it easy to see the problem are those support films which is not letting the industry grow. These handful of blockbusters and grossers will come every year but if you don't get a good supply of 100-200 crore nett films, it is tough for the overall business to be where it should be and there will just not be enough films being made.

In 2019, the top film did 292 crore nett and the 20th film was also doing 88 crore nett. In 2025, the top film is doing 780 crore nett and the 20th film is doing 50 crore nett which sort of tells where the problem lies and the huge shift in business towards the bigger film. This year, there are bigger films than 2025 and it should be even better. But for the industry to prosper, the middle film has to get better results as there can only be 4-5 big films a year and they alone cant keep the industry afloat as we know it.

The reach of films was getting less and less before the pandemic as enough revenue was coming from the films aimed at those urban centres which led to them being rolled out in numbers. This has all changed post pandemic. As a result, even smaller films now have to reach like a PHOOL AUR KAANTE had in the 90's or even better example a NIKAAH had in the 80's. Films like TERE ISHK MEIN and EK DEEWANE KI DEEWANIYAT are showing the way forward with music and characterization but more will be needed. The death of the urban film is actually good news as it will mean having to reach a wider audience which is better for long term prospects. However, its all about getting the act together and being able to cater this audience. 

The Hindi film industry is still in a better position than the regional industries although this is reported the other way around with Hindi in dire straits and regional doing well. The costs of production are going up steadily but in general Hindi films have bigger potential recoveries from all revenue sources and it puts in in a better position whereas with, regional these costs going to end up hurting more. Other industries are looking for support from the Hindi audience but if the Hindi industry can get it right, then this audience will not have to look elsewhere.