List of highest-grossing South Indian films

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

South Indian cinema encompasses the five distinct film industries of Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Tulu.[1] This ranking lists the highest-grossing South Indian films produced by South cinema, based on conservative global box office estimates as reported by organizations classified as green by Wikipedia.[a] The figures are not adjusted for inflation. However, there is no official tracking of figures and sources publishing data are frequently pressured to increase their estimates.[2] The industry has produced many of the most expensive films in the Indian cinema, such as, Enthiran, 2.0, RRR, Kalki 2898 AD and L2: Empuraan.[3] Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), directed by S. S. Rajamouli, was the first South Indian and Indian film to gross over ₹1000 crore worldwide and remains the highest-grossing film in India to date.[4][5]

Key

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Highest-grossing films

The list includes films that have grossed ₹200 crore or more worldwide.

More information Rank, Title ...
Rank Title Worldwide gross Language Year Ref.
1 Baahubali 2: The Conclusion ₹1,810.60 crore Telugu 2017 [b]
2 Pushpa 2: The Rule ₹1,642–1,800 crore 2024 [c]
3 RRR ₹1,300–1,387 crore 2022 [d]
4 KGF: Chapter 2 ₹1,200–1,250 crore Kannada 2022 [e]
5 Kalki 2898 AD ₹1,042–1,100 crore Telugu 2024 [f]
6 Kantara: Chapter 1 ₹850 crore Kannada 2025 [h]
7 2.0 ₹666–800 crore Tamil 2018 [i]
8 Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire ₹618.06–700 crore Telugu 2023 [j]
9 Jailer ₹605–650 crore Tamil 2023 [k]
10 Baahubali: The Beginning ₹599.72–650 crore Telugu
Tamil
2015 [l]
11 Leo ₹595–615 crore Tamil 2023 [m]
12 Coolie ₹514–675 crore Tamil 2025 [n]
13 Ponniyin Selvan: I ₹450–500 crore Tamil 2022 [o]
14 The Greatest of All Time ₹440–460 crore Tamil 2024 [p]
15 Vikram ₹424–500 crore Tamil 2022 [q]
16 Saaho[r] ₹419–439 crore Telugu 2019 [s]
17 Kantara ₹400–450 crore Kannada 2022 [t]
18 Devara: Part 1 ₹380–521 crore Telugu 2024 [u]
19 Pushpa: The Rise ₹360 crore Telugu 2021 [89]
20 Adipurush[r] ₹350–392.70 crore Telugu 2023 [v]
21 Ponniyin Selvan: II ₹345 crore Tamil 2023 [92]
22 Amaran ₹300–335 crore Tamil 2024 [w]
23 Mahavatar Narsimha[x] ₹300–325 crore Multilingual 2025 [y]
24 Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra ₹300–304 crore Malayalam 2025 [z]
25 Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu ₹300 crore Telugu 2026 [aa]
26 Hanu-Man ₹296.5–350 crore Telugu 2024 [ab]
27 They Call Him OG ₹293.65–300 crore Telugu 2025 [g]
28 Varisu ₹290–302 crore Tamil 2023 [ac]
29 Bigil ₹285–300 crore Tamil 2019 [ad]
30 Kabali ₹284–305 crore Tamil 2016 [ae]
31 Enthiran ₹283–320 crore Tamil 2010 [af]
32 L2: Empuraan ₹265–268.05 crore Malayalam 2025 [ag]
33 Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo ₹262–280 crore Telugu 2020 [ah]
34 Sarileru Neekevvaru ₹260 crore Telugu 2020 [133]
35 Sankranthiki Vasthunam ₹258–300 crore Telugu 2025 [ai]
36 KGF: Chapter 1 ₹250 crore Kannada 2018 [139]
37 Sarkar ₹243.90–253 crore Tamil 2018 [aj]
38 Manjummel Boys ₹242.30 crore Malayalam 2024 [142][143]
39 Vettaiyan ₹240–250 crore Tamil 2024 [ak]
40 Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy ₹240 crore Telugu 2019 [146]
41 Waltair Veerayya ₹236.15 crore Telugu 2023 [147][148][149]
42 Thudarum ₹233–235.30 crore Malayalam 2025 [al]
43 I ₹227–240 crore Tamil 2015 [153][154][155]
44 Vaazha II: Biopic of a Billion Bros ₹220 crore Malayalam 2020 [156]
45 Master ₹220–300 crore Tamil 2021 [am]
46 Annatthe ₹220 - ₹240 crore Tamil 2020 [161][162]
47 Vishwaroopam ₹220 crore Tamil 2013 [163]
48 Petta ₹219–250 crore Tamil 2019 [an]
49 Beast ₹216–300 crore Tamil 2022 [ao]
50 Rangasthalam ₹216 crore Telugu 2018 [173]
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Highest-grossing films by language

Kannada

Kannada cinema is a part of Indian cinema based in Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru. The films are made primarily in Kannada-language. The following table lists the top 10 highest-grossing Kannada films produced in the Kannada film industry.

More information Rank, Title ...
Rank Title Worldwide gross Year Ref.
1 KGF: Chapter 2 ₹1,200–1,250 crore 2022 [e]
2 Kantara: Chapter 1 ₹850 crore 2025 [h]
3 Kantara ₹400–450 crore 2022 [ap]
4 Mahavatar Narsimha[aq] ₹300–325 crore 2025 [ar]
5 KGF: Chapter 1 ₹250 crore 2018 [139]
6 Vikrant Rona ₹159–210 crore 2022 [as]
7 James ₹151 crore [193]
8 Su From So ₹125 crore 2025 [194][195]
9 777 Charlie ₹105–115 crore 2022 [196][197]
10 Kurukshetra ₹90 crore 2019 [at]
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Malayalam

Malayalam cinema, also referred to as Mollywood by certain media outlets, is a part of Indian cinema, based in Kerala and dedicated to the production of films in the Malayalam-language. The following table lists the top 10 highest-grossing Malayalam films produced in the Malayalam film industry.

More information Rank, Title ...
Rank Title Worldwide gross Year Ref.
1 Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra ₹300.08–304 crore 2025 [z]
2 L2: Empuraan ₹265–268.05 crore 2025 [au]
3 Manjummel Boys ₹242.30 crore 2024 [209][210]
4 Thudarum ₹233–235.30 crore 2025 [av]
5 Vaazha II: Biopic of a Billion Bros ₹220 crore 2026 [214]
6 2018 ₹177 crore 2023 [215]
7 The Goat Life ₹158.50 crore 2024 [210]
8 Aavesham ₹156 crore 2024 [210]
9 Sarvam Maya ₹153 crore 2025 [216]
10 Pulimurugan ₹139–145 crore 2016 [aw]
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Tamil

Tamil cinema is a part of Indian cinema based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The films are made primarily in Tamil-language. The following table lists the top 10 highest-grossing Tamil films produced in the Tamil film industry.

More information Rank, Title ...
Rank Title Worldwide gross Year Ref.
1 2.0 ₹666–800 crore 2018 [i]
2 Jailer ₹605–650 crore 2023 [k]
3 Leo ₹595–615 crore [m]
4 Coolie ₹514–675 crore 2025 [n]
5 Ponniyin Selvan: I ₹450–500 crore 2022 [o]
6 The Greatest of All Time ₹440–460 crore 2024 [p]
7 Vikram ₹424–500 crore 2022 [q]
8 Ponniyin Selvan: II ₹345 crore 2023 [92]
9 Amaran ₹300–335 crore 2024 [ax]
10 Mahavatar Narsimha[aq] ₹300–325 crore 2025 [ay]
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Telugu

Telugu cinema is a part of Indian cinema producing films in the Telugu-language, in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and is centered in the Hyderabad neighbourhood of Film Nagar.[222] The following table lists the top 10 highest-grossing Telugu films produced in the Telugu film industry.

More information Rank, Title ...
Rank Title Worldwide gross Year Ref.
1 Baahubali 2: The Conclusion ₹1,810.43 crore 2017 [b]
2 Pushpa 2: The Rule ₹1,642–1,800 crore 2024 [c]
3 RRR ₹1,300–1,387 crore 2022 [d]
4 Kalki 2898 AD ₹1,042–1,100 crore 2024 [f]
5 Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire ₹614–702 crore 2023 [j]
6 Baahubali: The Beginning ₹599.72–650 crore 2015 [l]
7 Saaho[r] ₹419–439 crore 2019 [s]
8 Devara: Part 1 ₹380–521 crore 2024 [u]
9 Pushpa: The Rise ₹360 crore 2021 [89]
10 Adipurush[r] ₹350–392.70 crore 2023 [az]
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Highest-grossing films by opening day

More information Rank, Title ...
Rank Title Worldwide gross Language Year Ref.
1 Pushpa 2: The Rule ₹280–294 crore Telugu 2024 [228]
2 RRR ₹223 crore 2022 [229]
3 Baahubali 2: The Conclusion ₹217 crore 2017 [230]
4 Kalki 2898 AD ₹180–191 crore 2024 [ba]
5 Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire ₹178.7 crore 2023 [233]
6 KGF: Chapter 2 ₹165.37 crore Kannada 2022 [234]
7 They Call Him OG ₹155 crore Telugu 2025 [235]
8 Coolie ₹151 crore Tamil 2025 [236]
9 Leo ₹148.5 crore 2023 [237]
10 Devara: Part 1 ₹132–146 crore Telugu 2024 [238][239]
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Highest-grossing films by opening weekend

More information Rank, Title ...
Rank Title Worldwide gross Language Year Ref.
1 Pushpa 2: The Rule ₹428 crore Telugu 2024
2 KGF: Chapter 2 ₹442 crore Kannada 2022
3 Kalki 2898 AD ₹401 crore Telugu 2024 [240]
4 Baahubali 2: The Conclusion ₹400–450 crore 2017 [bb]
5 RRR ₹380 crore 2022 [243]
6 Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire ₹302 crore 2023 [244]
7 Kantara: Chapter 1 ₹268 crore Kannada 2025 [245]
8 Leo ₹250 crore Tamil 2023 [246]
9 L2: Empuraan ₹174 crore Malayalam 2025 [237]
10 The Greatest of All Time ₹160 crore Tamil 2024 [247][248]
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Highest-grossing films by month

More information Month, Title ...
Month Title Worldwide gross Language Year Ref.
January Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu ₹300–400 crore Telugu 2026 [aa]
February Manjummel Boys ₹242 crore Malayalam 2024 [249]
March RRR ₹1,253–1,387 crore Telugu 2022 [d]
April Baahubali 2: The Conclusion ₹1,810.60 crore Telugu 2017 [b]
May Sarkaru Vaari Paata ₹180–230 crore Telugu 2022 [bc]
June Kalki 2898 AD ₹1,042–1,100 crore Telugu 2024 [f]
July Baahubali: The Beginning[bd] ₹599.72–650 crore Telugu 2015 [l]
August Jailer ₹605–607 crore Tamil 2023 [k]
September Ponniyin Selvan: I ₹450–500 crore Tamil 2022 [o]
October Kantara: Chapter 1 ₹850 crore Kannada 2025 [h]
November 2.0 ₹666–800 crore Tamil 2018 [i]
December Pushpa 2: The Rule ₹1,642–1,800 crore Telugu 2024 [c]
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Highest-grossing films by year

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Worldwide gross Language Ref.
2000 Nuvve Kavali ₹20 crore distributors' share Telugu [252][186][253]
2001 Kushi ₹23.4 crore distributors' share

*₹7.46 crore re-release

[254][255]
2002 Indra ₹55 crore [256][257]
2003 Tagore ₹28 crore [258]
2004 Ghilli ₹50 crore Tamil [259]
2005 Chandramukhi ₹75-90 crore [be]
2006 Pokiri ₹70–76 crore Telugu [bf]
2007 Sivaji: The Boss ₹152 crore Tamil [bg]
2008 Dasavathaaram ₹200 crore [266]
2009 Magadheera ₹150 crore Telugu [267]
2010 Enthiran ₹283–300 crore Tamil [af]
2011 7 Aum Arivu ₹100 - ₹109 crore [bh]
2012 Thuppakki ₹180 crore [270]
2013 Vishwaroopam ₹220 crore [271]
2014 Lingaa ₹154 crore [265]
2015 Baahubali: The Beginning[bd] ₹599.72–650 crore Telugu [l]
2016 Kabali ₹284–305 crore Tamil [ae]
2017 Baahubali 2: The Conclusion ₹1810.60 crore Telugu [b]
2018 2.0 ₹666–800 crore Tamil [i]
2019 Saaho[r] ₹419–439 crore Telugu [s]
2020 Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo ₹262–280 crore [ah]
2021 Pushpa: The Rise ₹360 crore [89]
2022 RRR ₹1,253–1,387 crore [d]
2023 Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire ₹618.06–700 crore [j]
2024 Pushpa 2: The Rule ₹1,642–1,800 crore [c]
2025 Kantara: Chapter 1 ₹850 crore Kannada [h]
2026 Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu ₹300–400 crore Telugu [272]
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See also

Notes

  1. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹1,747 crore (Pinkvilla) – 1,810.60 crore (Bollywood Hungama[6] and Box Office India[7]) – ₹2500 crore (DNA[8])
  2. Pushpa 2's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹1,642 crore (The Hans India[9]) – ₹1,800 crore (Deccan Chronicle;[10] The Indian Express[11]).
  3. RRR's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹1,300 crore (News18 India,[12] India Today,[13] DNA[14]) – ₹1,387 crore (NDTV India[15])
  4. The New Indian Express and DNA India[16] reported the worldwide collection to be around ₹1,200 crore[17] to ₹1,216 crore,[18] and The Hindustan Times mentioned the collection as ₹1,207 crore.[19] News 18[20] and India Today[21] mentioned that the collection was ₹1,240 crore. The Times of India,[22][23] Vijaya Karnataka,[24] TV9 Kannada[25] and Asianet News[26] reported that the movie grossed ₹1250 crores.
  5. Kalki 2898 AD's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹1,042 (The Financial Express (India)[27]) –₹1,052.5 crore (ThePrint[28]) –₹1,100 crore (Deccan Chronicle,[29] Business Standard,[30] Deccan Herald,[31] Hindustan Times[32] and The Statesman[33])
  6. Various sources mentioned the gross theatrical collections to be around ₹850 crore.[34][35][36]
  7. ₹850 crore[g]
  8. 2.0's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹666 crore (Pinkvilla[37]) – ₹699.89 crore (Box Office India[38]) – ₹700 crore (Pinkvilla[39]) – ₹800 crore (India Today[40])
  9. Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹618.06 crore (₹617 crore plus an additional ₹1.06 crore[41] (¥18.22 million) from its Japanese release, as reported by Pinkvilla[42][43]) – ₹700 crore (Firstpost,[44] India Today[45])
  10. Jailer's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹605 crore (India Today[46]) – ₹607 crore (Pinkvilla[47]) – ₹650 crore (Firstpost[48])
  11. Baahubali: The Beginning's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹599.72 (Box Office India[49]) – ₹600 crore (India Today[50] and The Indian Express[51]) – ₹650 (Firstpost[52])
  12. Leo's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹595 crore (Box Office India[53]) – ₹615 crore (Deccan Chronicle[54]).
  13. Coolie's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹514 crore (The Hans India;[55] Filmfare;[56] Network18 Group[57]) – ₹515 crore (OTTPlay[58]) – ₹675 crore (The Indian Express;[59] Zee News[60])
  14. Ponniyin Selvan: I's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹450 crore (Zee News[61]) – ₹480 crore (Pinkvilla[62]) – ₹500 crore (Hindustan Times[63])
  15. GOAT's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹440 crore (Box Office India;[64] The Hans India[65]) – ₹452 crore (The Economic Times;[66] NDTV[67]) – ₹460 crore (Filmfare[68])
  16. Vikram's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹424 crore (Deccan Herald[69]) – ₹435 crore (Bollywood Hungama[70]) – ₹500 crore (Hindustan Times[71])
  17. The film was produced in both the Telugu and Hindi languages, according to the filmmakers.
  18. Saaho's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹419 crore (Pinkvilla[72]) – ₹434 crore (Deccan Herald[73]) – ₹439 crore (India Today[74])
  19. Devara's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹380 crore (Box Office India[85]) – ₹420 crore (DNA India[86]) – ₹509 crore (Business Standard[87]) – ₹521 crore (Bollywood Hungama[88])
  20. Pinkvilla has reported ₹350 crore gross,[90] whereas Business Today reported a worldwide gross of ₹392.70 crore[91]
  21. Amaran's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹300 crore (Dinamani [93] and ETV Bharat[94]) to ₹335 crore (Pinkvilla[95])
  22. The film was produced multiple languages. Namely, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Kannada
  23. Mahavatar Narsimha's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹300 crore (Hindustan Times,[96] Cinema Express,[97] News18[98]) – ₹324.5 crore (The Economic Times[99]) – ₹325 crore (DNA India[100])
  24. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra's reported worldwide gross is from ₹300.08 crore (India Today)[101] to ₹301.98 crore (The Telegraph)[102] to ₹302.5 crore (ThePrint)[103] to ₹303.2 crore (The Week) [104] to ₹304 crore (The Hollywood Reporter)[105]
  25. Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu's reported worldwide grosses vary around ₹300 crore (The Indian Express, which notes that although the headline cites ₹375 crore, that figure is producer-stated while the article text reports ₹300 crore)[106] – ₹400 crore (Cinema Express reports the film’s sustained run supporting its commercial performance)[107]
  26. Hindustan Times reported ₹298 crore[108] to ₹301 crore[109] while The Indian Express reported ₹350 crore[110]
  27. The New Indian Express stated that Varisu grossed ₹290 crore worldwide.[115] Box Office India stated that the film grossed ₹293 crore worldwide in its lifetime.[116] Pinkvilla stated that the film made ₹302 crore.[117]
  28. Bigil's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹285 crore (Firstpost[118]) – ₹300 crore (Business Today[119] and News18 India[120])
  29. Kabali's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹284 crore (Pinkvilla[121]) – ₹305 crore (Box Office India[122])
  30. Enthiran's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹283 crore (Hindustan Times[123]) – ₹290 crore (India Today[124]) – ₹300 crore (The New Indian Express[125]) – ₹320 crore (Box Office India[126])
  31. Mint reported ₹265 crore,[127] DNA India and The Financial Express reported ₹268 crore[128][129] and Asianet News reported ₹268.05 crore.[130]
  32. Deccan Herald reported the worldwide gross to be ₹262 crore[131] while The New Indian Express estimated it to be ₹280 crore.[132]
  33. Sarkar's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹243.90 crore (Samayam[140]) – ₹253 crore (The Indian Express[141])
  34. Vettaiyan's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹240 crore (Pinkvilla[144]) - ₹250 crore (Hindustan Times[145])
  35. Thudarum's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹233 crore (Pinkvilla[150]) – ₹234.5 crore (The Indian Express[151]) – ₹235.30 crore (Asianet News[152])
  36. Master's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹220 crore (The Indian Express[157]) – 230 crore (Box Office India[158]) – ₹250 crore (India Today[159]) – ₹300 crore (The News Minute[160])
  37. Petta's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹219 crore (Pinkvilla[164]) – ₹220 crore (Business Today[165]) – ₹240 (Hindustan Times[166]) – ₹250 crore Times Now[167])
  38. Beast's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹216 crore (CNBC TV18[168]) – ₹237 crore (Pinkvilla[169]) – ₹240 crore (The Indian Express[170]) – ₹300 crore (India Today[171] and Puthiya Thalaimurai[172]
  39. Kantara's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹400 crore (Deccan Herald,[174] India Today,[175] Firstpost,[176] DNA,[177] News 18,[178] The Economic Times,[179] The Indian Express[180]) – ₹450 crore (Hindustan Times,[181] Outlook,[182] The New Indian Express[183])
  40. There is no clear evidence of a primary language. The film's main languages are deemed to be Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu according to the Central Board of Film Certification
  41. Mahavatar Narsimha's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹300 crore (Hindustan Times,[184] Cinema Express,[185] News18[186]) – ₹324.5 crore (The Economic Times[80]) – ₹325 crore (DNA India[187])
  42. Vikrant Rona's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹159 crore (Hindustan Times[188]) – ₹200 crore (DNA,[189] India Today[190]) – ₹210 crore (Zee News,[191] Telegraph[192])
  43. The figure published by the makers of the film (₹325 crore) is the total business done by the film, and not the total box office collection. The total box office collection varies between ₹265 crore,[206] ₹268 crore[207] and ₹268.05 crore[208] as per reliable sources listed at WP:ICTFSOURCES.
  44. Thudarum's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹233 crore (Pinkvilla[211]) – ₹234.5 crore (The Indian Express[212]) – ₹235.30 crore (Asianet News[213])
  45. Pulimurugan's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹139 crore (The Indian Express[217]) – ₹145 crore (NDTV[218])
  46. Amaran's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹300 crore (Dinamani [219] and ETV Bharat[220]) to ₹335 crore (Pinkvilla[221])
  47. Mahavatar Narsimha's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹300 crore (Hindustan Times,[184] Cinema Express,[185] News18[186]) – ₹324.5 crore (The Economic Times[80]) – ₹325 crore (DNA India[187])
  48. Pinkvilla has reported ₹350 crore gross,[226] whereas Business Today reported a worldwide gross of ₹392.70 crore[227]
  49. Kalki 2898 AD's reported opening day grosses vary between ₹161.50 crore (Pinkvilla[231]) – ₹180 crore (Bollywood Hungama[232])
  50. Kalki 2898 AD's reported opening day grosses vary between ₹161.50 crore (Pinkvilla[241]) – ₹180 crore (Bollywood Hungama[242])
  51. Sarkaru Vaari Paata's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹180 crore (News18 India[250]) – ₹230 crore (The Indian Express[251])
  52. Chandramukhi's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹65 crore (The New Indian Express[260]) – ₹74 crore (The Economic Times[261])
  53. Pokiri's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹64 crore (News18 India[262]) – ₹70 crore (Firstpost[263])
  54. Sivaji: The Boss's reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹125 crore (The New Indian Express[264]) – ₹148 crore (NDTV[265]) – ₹160 crore (The Economic Times[261])
  55. According to The Times of India and Kungumam, the film grossed ₹100 crore (equivalent to ₹206 crore or US$22 million in 2023) worldwide.[268][269] Moneycontrol reported that the film grossed ₹109 crore (equivalent to ₹225 crore or US$24 million in 2023) worldwide.[227]

References

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