September 2025 turned out to be a dream run for Tollywood, with multiple releases performing exceptionally well across domestic and overseas markets.
Ghaati Flops, Little Film Wins
The month opened with three releases: Anushka Shetty’s Ghaati, the modestly promoted youthful entertainer Little Hearts, and the dubbed biggie Madhraasi starring Sivakarthikeyan.
The most-anticipated among them, Ghaati, directed by Krish, turned out to be a huge flop. It failed to garner even a decent opening and stands as one of the biggest theatrical debacles in recent times. Madhraasi, directed by A.R. Murugadoss, performed well in Tamil Nadu, but its Telugu version failed to click with the audience.
The first surprise hit of the month was “Little Hearts,” starring Mouli Tanuj Prasanth and Shivani Nagaram. What began as a quiet release quickly turned into a money-spinner. The film impressed trade analysts with its strong returns and even crossed the $1 million mark in North America.
Mirai is a blockbuster, Kishkindhapuri holds up
The second weekend brought two contrasting releases to the box office: Mirai and Kishkindhapuri.
Mirai, a superhero saga headlined by Teja Sajja, stormed the box office and emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. With nearly Rs 150 crore gross worldwide, the film not only cemented Teja’s stardom but also proved to be a strong win for the genre.
Bellamkonda Srinivas’s “Kishkindhapuri” held its ground. It registered average collections, but for both Bellamkonda Srinivas and Anupama Parameswaran, the film came as a much-needed breather.
OG shows off star power and records
The final weekend of September saw the highly anticipated arrival of “OG,” starring Pawan Kalyan. The film opened to thunderous collections globally, riding on massive fan frenzy. In six days of its theatrical run, the film grossed more than Rs 220 Cr worldwide. It grossed $5 million in North America, a new record in Pawan Kalyan’s career.
“OG” now stands as the highest-grossing film of Pawan Kalyan’s career.
Other disappointments
Films like “Beauty,” presented by Maruthi, were completely rejected by audiences. Tamil actor Vijay Antony also delivered another dud, as his recent release “Bhadrakali,” which hit theaters on September 19, failed miserably.
Terrific month overall
From surprise hits to record-breaking spectacles, September showcased the full spectrum of Tollywood’s box-office strength. With nearly every major release turning profitable, the industry witnessed one of its most successful months in recent times.
