2024 first quarter Movies Report Card: 6 south films that made noise at the box office

A still from the highest-grossing Malayalam film Manjummel Boys, directed by Chidambaram S Poduval and produced by actor Soubin Shahir.

In the first three months of 2024, the south Indian cinema industry witnessed a mixed bag of performances at the box office, with the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam sectors experiencing more flops than hits. While some small-budget films like Hanuman and Premalu created waves, larger productions such as Guntur Kaaram and Malaikottai Vaaliban failed to leave a mark at the box office. And yet, the first half has been for Malayalam cinema, with the back-to-back blockbusters: Bramayugam, Premalu, Manjummel Boys. Let's take a closer look at the films released during this period that fared well commercially:

Hanuman (Telugu)

The Telugu film Hanuman concluded its theatrical run with a net collection of Rs 201 crore at the Indian box office, marking it as the second Indian film of 2024 to surpass the double-century milestone domestically, following the Bollywood film Fighter. With a gross earning of Rs 237.18 crore in India and an additional Rs 57 crore overseas, the film's worldwide gross stands at an impressive Rs 294.18 crore. Despite featuring a relatively unknown lead actor, Teja Sajja, and being a small-scale production, Hanuman garnered significant attention nationwide.

Ayalaan (Tamil)

The Sivakarthikeyan-starrer is an absolute entertainer at the box office. The actors and the director worked on the film for more than six years and the film, which was finally released during Sankranthi, collected close to Rs 70 crore at the box office and ended up being the biggest hit in the career of Sivakarthikeyan. The VFX in the film is something that impressed the audience across the south.

Premalu (Malayalam)

The Malayalam romantic comedy Premalu, directed by Girish AD and made on a modest budget of Rs 9 crore, emerged as a remarkable success story at the box office, amassing over Rs 100 crore worldwide. Released in February, the film's relatable storyline revolving around love triangles struck a chord with audiences, contributing to its substantial earnings both in theatres and anticipated online releases.

Manjummel Boys (Malayalam)

Based on a heartwarming true story set in Ernakulam, Manjummel Boys proved to be a commercial powerhouse, generating a net profit of Rs 102.18 crore in India alone against a production budget of Rs 20 crore. Even after five weeks since its release, the film continues to attract audiences, maintaining steady collections and gearing up for dubbed releases in other languages, including Telugu and potentially Hindi.

Bramayugam (Malayalam)

The year 2024 has been a stellar year for the Malayalam film industry, with Bramayugam contributing significantly to its success. Despite its limited budget, the film featuring Mammootty garnered positive reviews upon its release in mid-February. As it concludes its box-office journey, Bramayugam has amassed commendable collections, further enhancing its stature as one of the notable films of the year.

Aadujeevitham - The GoatLife (Malayalam) 

Adding to Malayalam cinema's winning streak, Aadujeevitham (The GoatLife), starring Prithviraj, achieved a remarkable opening day collection of nearly Rs 9 crore on the day of release at the Indian box office upon its release on March 28. Directed by Blessy and based on the acclaimed novel by Benyamin, the survival drama captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and stellar performances, setting the stage for continued success in the coming months.

Kaatera (Kannada)

Starring Darshan Thoogudeepa in the lead role, Kaatera stands out to be the biggest Kannada cinema in the first quarter of 2024. The film collected Rs 67 crore at the box office for being the best action-entertainer that was released in the first three months. With its engaging storyline and strong performances, the film enjoyed a successful run at the Kannada box office, reaffirming its popularity among audiences.

All in all, despite facing challenges and witnessing a mix of hits and misses, the South Indian cinema industry showcased notable achievements in the first quarter of 2024. From small-budget gems to star-studded productions, these films captivated audiences and left a lasting impact on the box office landscape, setting the stage for an exciting year ahead.