Prabhas Stands Third Without Rajamouli

Kalki 2898 AD has emerged as the fifth highest-grossing film in Indian cinema, trailing behind Baahubali 2, KGF 2, RRR, and Jawan.

In its seventh week at the box office, Kalki 2898 AD earned approximately Rs. 3.6 crore over five days. With 48 days of release, the film’s total gross stands at Rs. 735 crore in India. As the Independence Day releases from Bollywood and Tollywood take over, Kalki 2898 AD is expected to wrap up its run around Rs. 740 crore.

This film now ranks as the third highest-grossing film from the Telugu industry, after excluding KGF 2 and Jawan from the list.

Here are the top-grossing Tollywood films at the Indian box office:

1. Baahubali: The Conclusion – Rs. 1350 crore
2. RRR – Rs. 895 crore
3. Kalki 2898 AD – Rs. 740 crore
4. Salaar – Rs. 485 crore
5. Baahubali: The Beginning – Rs. 480 crore
6. Pushpa – Rs. 360 crore
7. Saaho – Rs. 335 crore
8. Hanuman – Rs. 245 crore
9. Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo – Rs. 226 crore
10. Syeraa Narasimha Reddy – Rs. 195 crore

The difference between the top and the bottom of this list is striking, with the top two films grossing close to Rs. 1000 crore, while the tenth barely touching Rs. 200 crore. This gap is mainly due to the nationwide success triggered by Baahubali in 2015.

Films that manage to break into the Hindi market tend to dominate, while others remain regional hits.

Looking ahead, 2024 has three major releases, including Pushpa 2, which is expected to cross Rs. 300 crore and potentially enter the top ten highest-grossing films in Tollywood.

Note: Box office numbers are based on estimates and various sources.