Teluu movie Sankranthiki VasthunamMade for Family Audiences, was launched on January 14 of this year and, according to the reports, has raised an impressive rupees of 300 million rupees worldwide in three weeks. Directed by Anil Ravipudi, the film has become the highest teugu movie for Sankranti this year, surpassing the Ram Charan corridor of the Shankar director, Shankar, Shankar, Game changer. In particular, both films were produced by Dil Raju.
In the cinema Tamil, the sundary director C Madha Gaja Raja It has played a sensitive fiber with the family audience, according to reports, obtaining more than 55 million rupees at the box office since its launch on January 12. Meanwhile, the tamil language KudumbasthanIt is said that a modest family film, compiled around 18 million rupees since its launch on January 24. The success of these films raises an intriguing question: are family films returning in the southern cinema?
Learning from a poor 2024
The year 2024 was a challenge for the film industry of southern India, with significant losses reported in all areas. According to reports, the Malayalam film industry faced 700 million rupees, while the Tamil film industry saw a deficit of around 1,000 million rupees. Several large budget films, including Indian 2, Kanguva and Game changerHe could not turn on the box office.
In this context, the success of films such as Sankranthiki Vasthunam and Madha Gaja Raja It has surprised many. Interestingly, Anil Ravipudi’s film does not present a cast on list A, but stars Venkatesh, 64, along with Meenakshi Dixit and Aishwarya Rajesh. AND, Madha Gaja RajaWith Vishal, Santhanam, Anjali and Varalaxmi Sarathkumum, it was completed in 2013, but it could not be released for 12 years due to legal and financial problems. He finally reached cinemas in January 2025. Kudumbasthanstarring actor-writer Manikandan, known for films related to the crowd, has also attracted the significant family audience.
Pause the action
In 2024, the Indian cinema greatly followed the trend of previous years, with an avalanche of films full of action aimed at younger audiences. Kollywood witnessed launches as Raayan, Garudan, Captain Miller, Kanguvaand THANGALANWhile Tollywood saw movies like Retur: Part 1, Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, Eagleand Guntur Kaaram. However, the tide seemed to turn when Sivakarthikean They would be Launched on October 31. He resonated with the family audience, raising almost 340 million rupees worldwide.
When commenting on this change, film journalist Bharath Kumar points out: “The film industry had focused on action dramas and thrillers, neglecting family -oriented stories. The family audience was not prioritized, since most films attended the youngest viewers looking for stories full of action. In 2024, many films of great action could not even capture the youth market. Family artists, who combine feeling, drama, comedy and a factor of feeling good, have now found the public’s favor. The success of these films in January 2025 demonstrates a growing demand for fresh and healthy content without violence and noise. People want to come to theaters, enjoy a good laugh and leave happy. “
Family visualization
These films offer an alternative refreshing to the darkest and most intense genres such as action and Thrillers. These films also allow groups and families to visit theaters together, a trend that had been decreasing. In a recent interview, actor Manikandan explained that Kudumbasthan Explore the struggles of a family man in today’s digital world through a humorous lens. He described him as “the adventurous trip of a family man and the challenges facing a married woman.” The relatable content of the film has obtained praise of critics and audiences equally.
With 2025 with a promising beginning for family artists, it remains to be seen if this trend will last throughout the year. Now producers can be encouraged to invest in such films, especially given the diminishing popularity of the great action films. The tide could be turning.
(The author is a journalist of senior entertainment and film critic)
Discharge of responsibility: These are the author’s personal opinions
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