Bollywood’s theatrical journey in 2025 resembled a rollercoaster with triumphs and disappointments shaping the industry’s narrative. Some films soared to unimaginable heights and reinforced the magic of cinema, while others faltered despite massive investments. The year’s crown jewel was Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar’, a spy thriller headlined by Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna which stormed past the Rs 1,000 crore mark globally and continues to draw crowds. Vicky Kaushal’s ‘Chhaava’, a historical saga resonated deeply with audiences in Maharashtra and northern regions, amassing Rs 807.91 crore worldwide. The romantic drama ‘Saiyaara’ featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda surprised many by collecting Rs 570 crore proving that heartfelt storytelling and music can still captivate audiences. Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1’ extended its cultural influence with a strong multilingual run grossing Rs 852 crore. On the other hand, ‘War 2’ starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR delivered respectable but modest earnings of Rs 364.35 crore compared to its towering expectations. Mid-tier performers included Aamir Khan’s ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ and the ensemble comedy ‘Housefull 5’ both crossing Rs 250 crore while ‘Raid 2’ managed Rs 237 crore internationally. Titles like ‘Jolly LLB 3’ and ‘Thamma’ hovered just below Rs 200 crore and Salman Khan’s ‘Sikandar’ fell short at Rs 165 crore. Closing the list, ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ ended its run at Rs 145 crore before being pulled from theaters.
