Top 10 Highest Earning South Indian Films of All Time

November 04, 2023, 03:08 PM
by Kawser Md Sayem

UNB News
Publish- November 04, 2023, 03:08 PM
Kawser Md Sayem
Update- November 04, 2023, 03:26 PM

Top 10 Highest Earning South Indian Films of All Time

Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, RRR, KGF: Chapter 2, 2.0, and Jailer

South Indian movie industry is a great convergence of artistic excellence with commercial success. Whether it is Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, or Kannada, each South Indian film industry shines in both local and global spheres with unique stories, talented directions, powerful actions, and creative cinematography. The ground-breaking successes of some South Indian films draw film enthusiasts around the world. This article lists the top 10 highest-earning South Indian films to date.

10 South Indian Blockbuster Movies So Far

Baahubali 2: The Conclusion | Rs. 1,810.59 Crore

The stated total gross earnings of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion is equivalent to BDT 2,385.374 crore. This Telugu epic action film, directed by S. S. Rajamouli and co-written with V. Vijayendra Prasad, stars an ensemble cast including Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, and Ramya Krishna.

Set in medieval India, the film follows the son of Amarendra Baahubali, who returns to seek vengeance for his father's death.

Released on April 28, 2017, the movie was made with an estimated production cost of 250 crore rupees (BDT 329.363 crore).

Baahubali 2 emerged as the top-grossing film in India, dominating both the Tamil and Telugu box offices. Its success extended to winning three National Film Awards, including the prestigious Best Visual Effects category.

RRR | Rs. 1,316.30 Crore

RRR secures second place in the rankings with an impressive box office revenue corresponding to BDT 1,734.170 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). This is another Telugu epic creation under the direction of S. S. Rajamouli and co-written with V. Vijayendra Prasad, featuring N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, and Alia Bhatt.

The film revolves around the fictional versions of Indian revolutionaries, Raju and Bheem, and their valiant fight against the British Raj.

The project hit theaters on March 25, 2022, with an expense projection of 550 crore rupees.

RRR set a record as the highest opening-day-grossing South Indian movie by collecting an astounding 213 crore rupees or BDT 293.792 (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32) on its release day.

Adding to its remarkable journey, the film's song 'Natu Natu' earned an Oscar for Best Original Song, making it the first Indian film to achieve this prestigious milestone.

KGF: Chapter 2 | Rs. 1,200 to 1,250 Crore

KGF: Chapter 2 has made history in the Kannada film industry with this staggering total income in currency of BDT 1,580.944 to BDT 1,646.816 crore. It's the most expensive film ever produced in Kannada cinema.

This action film was written and helmed by Prashanth Neel, featuring an ensemble cast including Yash, Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Srinidhi Shetty, Prakash Raj, and Rao Ramesh.

The period movie unfolds in the blood-soaked Kolar Gold Fields, where Rocky's name strikes fear into his foes, and the government views him as a threat to law and order.
With a budget of 100 crore rupees (BDT 131.745 crore set at Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32), KGF: Chapter 2 was theatrically released on April 14, 2022.
The film has earned recognition by winning Best Actor and Actress in a Lead Role, and Best Cinematography at the International Film Awards of South India.

2.0 | Rs. 699.89 Crores

2.0 is a science-fiction film that has made a mark with a total box office collection in currency of BDT 922.072 crore. In the Kollywood industry, it holds the top position.

S. Shankar, director of this film featuring Rajinikanth, co-wrote it with B. Jeyamohan and Madhan Karky. The major co-stars of Rajinikanth were Amy Jackson and Akshay Kumar, who made his Kollywood debut.

The action movie delves into the conflict between humanoid robot Chitti, and Pakshi Rajan, a former ornithologist. Rajan intends to stop the worldwide cell phone use to save his avian friends.

The production cost was estimated at 400 to 600 crore rupees, (BDT 426.981 to 790.472 crore at a rate of Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). As a result, this cinema is recognized as the most expensive in Tamil Nadu.

2.0 had its theatrical release worldwide on November 30, 2018. It has been honored with a total of 5 awards at the Anand Bikash Cinema Awards, including Best Animation and Visual Effects.

Jailer | Rs. 600 Crore

Jailer has made a significant impact in the Chennai film industry, with total gross earnings equivalent to 790.472 crore in Bangladeshi currency (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). This action comedy film, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, stars Rajinikanth in the lead role. He was accompanied by Vinayakan, Ramya Krishnan, Vasanth Ravi, and Tamanna Bhatia.

The story revolves around a retired police officer who seeks to take down an eccentric idol smuggler.

With a budgeted estimate ranging from 200 to 250 crore rupees, (BDT 265.706 crore with an exchange rate of Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32), the movie had its release on August 10, 2023.

Baahubali: The Beginning, Leo, Ponniyin Selvan, Vikram, and Saaho

Baahubali: The Beginning | Rs. 599.72 Crore

Baahubali: The Beginning secured the sixth position with a total gross income (BDT 790.103 crore set at Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). Helmed by SS Rajamouli, the film was released on July 10, 2015, featuring the same crew as the final installment.

The cinema follows Sivudu on a mission to rescue the former queen of Mahishmat from the clutches of the tyrannical ruler Bhallaladeva.

All expenses were at 1.8 billion rupees equivalent to BDT 239.116 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32) to make the whole project. Baahubali: The Beginning grossed 511.35 crore rupees (BDT 679.288 crore at a rate of Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32) in all languages in India alone.

It became the first Telugu film to win National Film Awards for Best Feature Film and Best Special Effects.

Leo | Rs. 561.6 Crore

Leo has carved its place in the Kollywood industry with total gross earnings equal to BDT 539.882 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). Directed by Lokesh Kanaraj, the Kollywood film stars Vijay, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, and Trisha.

The cinema is centered on a simple young man, named Parthi, who runs a cafe and rescues animals. The notorious gangster Anthony is desperately looking for him, as he believes that Parthi is his lost son, Leo.

Leo was released worldwide on October 19, 2023, with an estimated budget ranging from 250 to 350 crore rupees (BDT 332.105 to 464.947 crore in exchange for Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32).

The project crossed the 200 crore rupees, (BDT 265.684 crore at a rate of Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32), mark in just two days, making it the fastest Tamil film to achieve this milestone.

Ponniyin Selvan: 1 | Rs. 450 to 500 Crore

Ponniyin Selvan 1 has earned recognition with a box office collection equal to BDT 592.854 to BDT 658.727 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). This film, helmed by Mani Ratnam, and co-written with Elango Kumaravel and B. Jeyamohan, originates from Kalki Krishnamurthy's 1955 novel of the same name.

The film features an ensemble cast, including Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Prabhu, and R. Sarathkumar.

Ponniyin Selvan: 1 had its release in theaters worldwide on September 30, 2022. The budget of 500 crore rupees, (BDT 664.211 set at Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32), is distributed across both the first and second parts of the historical movie series.

The movie clinched 8 awards, including Best Villain and Best Music Director, at the Anand Vikas Cinema Awards.

Vikram | Rs. 435 Crore

Vikram has made a significant impact with total gross earnings equal to BDT 573.092 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). Lokesh Kanaraj directed this action film which stars Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, and Narain in lead roles.

The film's storyline revolves around a case of serial murder, with the investigator in charge realizing the horrors involved. A bizarre confrontation unfolds among everyone involved in the murder.

Vikram was released theatrically on June 3, 2022, with an estimated production cost of 120 crore rupees, (BDT 159.411 as per Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32).

It marked a historic milestone by becoming the first Tamil film to achieve a share of 100 crore rupees, (BDT 132.842 calculated at Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32) in Chennai.

Vikram also received recognition by winning Best Actor and Best Film Crew at the Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards.

Saaho | Rs. 433.06 Crore

Saaho has made an impact with box office collections equal to BDT 570.536 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). This action thriller film is written and directed by Sujeeth and stars Prabhas in the title role. Prabhas was accompanied by a cast including Shraddha Kapoor, Chunky Pandey, and Jackie Shroff.

The movie depicts an undercover cop clashing with gangsters and realizing they were already fighting each other for a treasured black box.
Saaho was released in theaters on August 30, 2019, with a budget of 350 crore rupees, equivalent to BDT 464.947 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32).

End Note

So far, we have discussed the 10 South Indian films that made the maximum earning so far. Not to mention, ranking blockbusters is like a race among cinematic giants in the entertainment business. This list of South Indian blockbusters includes three masterpieces that are proud members of the Rs. 1000 crore club. They are Bahubali 2: The Conclusion, RRR, and KGF: Chapter 2.