The list of highest-grossing non-Tollywood films in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana makes for an interesting analysis. Based on the figures reported by BO tracker Daily Culture, we make a qualitative analysis of the films.
At the top is KGF: Chapter 2 (Rs 145 Cr). This Kannada blockbuster, dubbed in Telugu, redefined the pan-Indian action genre with its larger-than-life narrative and Yash’s commanding portrayal of Rocky Bhai.
At No. 2 is Avatar: The Way of Water (Rs 100 Cr) The sci-fi, adventure, fantasy movie was a rage. James Cameron’s visually spectacular sequel drew crowds in AP/TS, where dubbed Hollywood films often find a strong foothold due to the region’s tech-savvy audience.
At No. 3 is 2.0 (Rs 93 Cr). This Tamil sci-fi extravaganza, directed by Shankar, leveraged Rajinikanth’s superstar aura. The appeal of ambitious, high-budget sci-fi narratives remains strong in the region.
At No. 4 is Animal (Rs 86 Cr), which worked because of the popularity of Sandeep Reddy Vanga, its music, its action sequences, and Ranbir Kapoor. Its strong performance reflects the region’s growing acceptance of gritty Hindi cinema.
At No. 5 is Jailer (Rs 84 Cr). This Tamil action-thriller capitalized on his mass appeal and charismatic screen presence. Despite a weak plot, Jailer became a massive success mainly because of Anirudh Ravichander's music.
SRK's Jawan (Rs 83 Cr) blended high-octane action with social messaging, appealing to a wide demographic. Atlee's treatment did the magic. The film, otherwise, had a pretty ordinary plot.
Robot (Rs 70 Cr), released in 2011, laid the groundwork for big-budget sci-fi in Indian cinema. The film's spectacular success came as a stunning surprise.
Kantara (Rs 58.8 Cr), starring Rishab Shetty, was a rare success. It didn't have a big star as the male lead and yet became a terrific hit.
Pathaan (Rs 56 Cr), Vikram's I (Rs 53 Cr), Sivakarthikeyan's Amaran (Rs 51 Cr) follow next.
