By Kollywood’s 2024 Box Office: A Slow Start and a Mixed Finish
The surprising success of small-budget films like Vaazhai and Lubber Pandhu lifted Kollywood spirits after much-hyped star films like Indian 2 and Kanguva fell short of expectations. These low-budget hits highlighted a growing preference for content-driven cinema.
Ankitha Prakash of Varadaraja Cinemas shared, “The first half of 2024 was lackluster, but the second half saw better releases. Some expected hits underperformed, while movies like Manjummel Boys, despite being non-Tamil, excelled locally. Small-budget films didn’t make huge profits but had steady runs.”
Palaniappan of Kasi Theatre added, “The second half was stronger with major hits like Vettaiyan and The Greatest of All Time (GOAT). GOAT was the most profitable, with Vijay’s star power drawing audiences despite mixed reviews.”
2024’s Top Grossers in Tamil Nadu:
- The Greatest of All Time (GOAT)
- Amaran
- Vettaiyan
- Raayan
- Pushpa 2: The Rule
Veteran distributor Tirupur Subramaniam emphasized the value of smaller films for industry health, suggesting that smaller investments with steady returns are better than risky mega-productions. Producer Yuvaraj Ganesan agreed, saying Lubber Pandhu’s success boosted confidence in small-budget ventures.
However, Yuvaraj noted challenges in satellite and OTT markets, where small films depend on theatrical success to secure digital releases. Producer G Dhananjeyan stressed the need to reduce costs and bring audiences back to theatres to ensure the industry’s revival.
While big-budget films struggled for profitability, the triumph of smaller films offered hope for a balanced future in Kollywood.
