Ormax Media: India box office sees ₹11,833cr gross in 2024; Hindi cinema declines, South Indian and regional films shine

The Indian box office delivered a gross of ₹11,833 crore in 2024, marking the second-highest year of all time, just behind 2023’s record-breaking ₹12,226 crore, according to the Ormax Box Office Report 2024. While the overall performance remained strong, a notable decline in Hindi cinema’s contribution highlighted the shifting dynamics of the industry. Collections for Hindi films dropped by ₹701 crore to ₹4,679 crore, with a substantial 31% of its revenue driven by dubbed versions of South Indian films. This decline led to Hindi cinema’s share falling by 4 percentage points to 40%. On the other hand, regional cinema, particularly Malayalam and Gujarati films, saw significant growth. Malayalam cinema doubled its share to 10%, crossing the ₹1,000 crore milestone for the first time, while Gujarati films recorded a 66% increase over the previous year. Tamil and Telugu cinema maintained steady performance, contributing significantly to the box office. The year’s biggest blockbuster, Pushpa 2: The Rule, grossed ₹1,403 crore, including a record-breaking ₹889 crore from its dubbed Hindi version, making it the highest-grossing ‘Hindi’ film ever. Other notable performers included Kalki 2898 AD and Stree 2, both crossing the ₹500 crore mark, while Devara – Part 1, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and The Greatest Of All Time each surpassed ₹300 crore. Despite these successes, 2024 saw a decline in footfalls, which fell to 88.3 crore, a 6% drop from 2023, and still below pre-pandemic levels. Average Ticket Price (ATP) saw a marginal growth of 3% over 2023, from 130 to 134, compared to double-digit growth over the last two years, indicating more stability in ticket prices in 2024. Hollywood experienced the steepest de-growth in 2024, with its gross box office collections dropping by 17% compared to 2023. The 2024 box office performance underscores a shifting landscape in Indian cinema, with regional industries like Malayalam and Gujarati emerging as significant contributors while Hindi cinema faces challenges. The dominance of South Indian films, both in original and dubbed formats, continues to reshape audience preferences. Although the marginal increase in ticket prices hints at stability, declining footfalls and Hollywood’s steep de-growth highlight ongoing struggles in the post-pandemic recovery.