Year Ender 2025: Regional films that won audience hearts this year

In 2025, India’s cinematic heart moved beyond Bollywood as regional industries ignited a cultural renaissance. From the Rs 100-crore milestone of Gujarati's Laalo to the record-breaking success of Kannada’s Su From So and Malayalam’s superhero epic Lokah, audiences favoured authentic local narratives over generic pan-India spectacles. These films proved that local roots—not just pan-India marketing—drive the modern Indian box office.

Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra - Malayalam

A rare, big-scale fantasy from Malayalam cinema, Lokah, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, stood out for its ambition and visual storytelling. The film drew audiences looking for genre-driven cinema beyond conventional formats, making it one of the most talked-about Malayalam releases of the year.

Su From So - Kannada

Defying all odds, Su From So emerged as a monumental success for Kannada cinema in 2025, shattering expectations to join the elite Rs 100-crore global club. Directed by JP Thuminad and featuring a standout performance by Raj B. Shetty, the film’s commitment to authentic cultural storytelling made it the year’s highest-grossing Sandalwood release and a solitary beacon of success in an otherwise quiet year for the industry.

Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate - Gujarati

Gujarati cinema witnessed a major milestone with Laalo, one of its most impactful successes. Produced on a budget of just Rs 50 lakhs, this devotional drama emerged as one of the biggest hits in recent years, showcasing the enduring power of culturally grounded storytelling to achieve long-term box-office triumphs. With a box office collection surpassing Rs 100 crore, the movie solidified its place as an all-time blockbuster and a cultural phenomenon in the Gujarati film industry.

Saukhan Saukhane 2 - Punjabi

One of the biggest Punjabi theatrical successes of the year, Saukhan Saukhane 2 once again underlined Sargun Mehta’s unparalleled box-office reliability. Headlined and produced by Sargun under Dreamiyata Drama, the sequel enjoyed strong word-of-mouth and repeat footfalls.

Dashavatar - Marathi

In 2025, Marathi saw a big hit in the form of Dashavatar. The movie, packed with its classic mythology and contemporary cinematic flair, was well-received by the audience in theatres. Lauded for its ambitious scope and thematic complexity, the Marathi drama was well received by the audience seeking a sophisticated take on India’s spiritual heritage.

Raktabeej - Bengali

In a year where the Bengali film industry failed to deliver a blockbuster, Raktabeej 2 distinguished itself as a reliable hit. The sequel resonated strongly across West Bengal's major districts, securing its place as one of the most successful and well-received movies of 2025.