2025 has turned out to be one of the most dramatic years in Indian cinema. From the glossy grandeur of Bollywood blockbusters to the relentless rise of South Indian films, the big screen became a battleground. Leading the charge, Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava roared to ₹807 crore, marking Bollywood’s dominance early. But the South soon fired back — with L2: Empuraan, Good Bad Ugly, and Sankranthiki Vasthunam claiming massive numbers across India and overseas.
As Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films consistently outperformed expectations, the real question emerged — is South Indian cinema quietly taking the crown from Bollywood? Here’s a complete breakdown of the top 10 highest-grossing Indian movies of 2025 (so far), with box office numbers, language-wise analysis, and who’s truly ruling the Indian film industry this year.
Top 10 Highest-Grossing Indian Movies (Jan–June 2025):
| Rank | Movie Title | Language | Worldwide Gross (Cr) | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chhaava | Hindi | ₹807 | Bollywood |
| 2 | L2: Empuraan | Malayalam | ₹268 | South |
| 3 | Sankranthiki Vasthunam | Telugu | ₹270 | South |
| 4 | Thudarum | Malayalam | ₹233 | South |
| 5 | Sikandar | Hindi | ₹226 | Bollywood |
| 6 | Raid 2 | Hindi | ₹241 | Bollywood |
| 7 | Housefull 5 | Hindi | ₹181 | Bollywood |
| 8 | Good Bad Ugly | Tamil | ₹240 | South |
| 9 | Game Changer | Telugu | ₹182 | South |
| 10 | Dragon | Tamil | ₹151 | South |
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Analysis: South vs Bollywood
South Cinema’s Surge: With 6 out of 10 top movies coming from the South, there’s no doubt that Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films have shown consistent box office pull. These films not only performed well domestically but also made waves overseas, particularly in the Gulf and US.
Bollywood’s Hold: Bollywood still delivered the single biggest hit of the year with Chhaava, and movies like Raid 2 and Sikandar performed strongly. Comedy franchise Housefull 5 also showed that the Hindi market still draws in families and mass audiences.
Verdict: While Bollywood claimed the #1 spot, the South wins in terms of volume, consistency, and pan-India appeal. South Indian cinema, once considered “regional,” is now mainstream, powerful, and setting the tone for Indian film globally.
Read more: South vs Bollywood: Who Ruled the Box Office in 2025?Disclaimer :
This article is for informational and entertainment purposes. Box office numbers are sourced from publicly available data and may vary slightly from trade estimates.
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