Indian cinema is far older than independent India. Nearly 2,000 films are made in around 20 languages every year make India the world's largest film-producing nation. Here's a list of 70 iconic Indian movies.
Indian cinematic history is far older than independent India. In the 70 years of independence, Indian films have traversed their journey—from individually funded, high-risk ventures to a systematic industry with an audience worldwide. Nearly 2,000 films are made in around 20 languages every year make India the world's largest film-producing nation. Here's a list of 70 iconic Indian movies:
ALAM ARA (1931): If Bollywood is, at its core, song-and-dance cinema, then its starting point is Ardeshir Irani's Alam Ara (1931). India's first talkie (and a musical) starred Prithviraj Kapoor and Zubeida and featured seven songs.
MAHAL (1949): Kamal Amrohi's gothic romance is remembered today for the stunning presence of Madhubala, its cinematography, and the introduction of Lata Mangeshkar.
AWARA (1951): Arguably Raj Kapoor's finest film, one of Indian cinema's greatest exports, loved in China, Russia, and Turkey.
DO BIGHA ZAMIN (1953): Bimal Roy's socialist drama was an early flag-bearer of the parallel cinema movement and remains unforgettable for initiating the neo-realist trend that countered mainstream commercial movies.
SHYAMCHI AAI (1953): This legendary Marathi film, a mother-son story, was the first movie to win the President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film at the National Film Awards.
NAGIN (1954): This tribal tale starring Vyjayanthimala was India's first musical blockbuster. Composer Hemanta Mukherjee's immortal melodies include Man Dole Mera Tan Dole, Jadugar Saiyan, and Sun Ri Sakhi.
PATHER PANCHALI (1955): Satyajit Ray's Bengali drama changed the face of regional and Indian cinema. Often hailed as the most excellent film ever made in the country, it brought in a parallel cinema movement that justified the movie's unmatched international recognition.
PYAASA (1957): Guru Dutt's classic tale of an artiste's struggle was acclaimed for its storytelling and technical bravura. S.D. Burman's music aided the layered narrative.
DO ANKHEN BARAH HAATH (1957): The V. Shantaram classic was based on a real-life, open-prison experiment that triggered jail reforms.
The majority of highest-grossing Indian films are Bollywood (Hindi) films. As of 2014, Bollywood represents 43% of India's net box office revenue, while Tamil and Telugu cinema represents 36%, and other regional industries constitute 21%.[5] See List of highest-grossing films in India for domestic gross figures and List of highest-grossing Indian movies in overseas markets for gross overseas figures.
Bengali cinema was the center of Indian cinema in the 1930s [48] and accounted for a quarter of India's film output in the 1950s.[49] Cinema in South India accounted for nearly half of India's cinema halls in the 1940s.[2]
Assume
Assamese cinema is based in the state of Assam and produces films in the Assamese language.
Rank Film Year Director Studio(s) Worldwide Gross Ref.
1 Ratnakar 2019 Jatin Bora J. B. Production ₹9.25 crore (US$1.3 million) [50]
2 Kanchanjangha 2019 Zubeen Garg ₹5.12 crore (US$720,000) [51]
3 Mission China 2017 Zubeen Garg I Creation Production ₹ five crores (US$700,000) [52]
4 Priyaar Priyo 2017 Munin Barua Azaan Films ₹1.80 crores (US$250,000) [53]
Bengali
Main article: List of highest-grossing Bengali films
Bengali cinema is the Bengali language film industry centered in the Tollygunge neighborhood of Kolkata, West Bengal. It has been known by the nickname Tollywood, a portmanteau of the words Tollygunge and Hollywood, since 1932.
Rank Film Year Director Studio(s) Worldwide gross Source
1 Amazon Obhijaan 2017 Kamaleswar Mukherjee Shree Venkatesh Films ₹48.63 crores (US$6.8 million) [54][55]
2 Chander Pahar 2013 Kamaleswar Mukherjee Shree Venkatesh Films ₹15 crores (US$2.1 million) [56]
3 Boss 2: Back to Rule 2017 Baba Yadav Jeetz Fireworks
Walzen Media Works
Jaaz Multimedia ₹10.50 crore (US$1.5 million) [57]
4 Nabab 2009 Joydip Mukherjee Jaaz Multimedia, Eskay Movies ₹9.10 crore (US$1.3 million) [58]
5 Rangbaaz 2013 Raja Chanda Surinder Films ₹9 crore (US$1.3 million) [59]
6 Praktan 2016 Shiboprosad Mukherjee, Nandita Roy Windows ₹8.5 crore (US$1.2 million) [60]
7 Khoka 420 2013 Rajiv Kumar Biswas Eskay Movies ₹ eight crores (US$1.1 million) [59]
8 Posto 2017 Shiboprosad Mukherjee, Nandita Roy Windows ₹ eight crores (US$1.1 million) [61][62][63]
Bhojpuri
The Bhojpuri cinema produces films in the Bhojpuri language. It caters to an audience from eastern Uttar Pradesh, western Bihar, and Nepal.
Rank Film Year Director Studio(s) Worldwide gross Source
1 Sasura Bada Paisawala 2004 Ajay Sinha Balaji Cinevision Pvt Ltd ₹ nine crores (US$1.3 million) [64]
Gujarati
The Gujarati cinema produces films in the Gujarati language and primarily focuses on Gujarat and Mumbai's audience. The film industry is sometimes referred to as Dhollywood or Gollywood.
* Denotes films still running in theatres
Rank Film Year Director Studio(s) Gross Source
1 Chaal Jeevi Laiye! 2019 Vipul Mehta Coconut Motion Pictures ₹52.14 crores (US$7.3 million) [65]
2 Desh Re Joya Dada Pardesh Joya 1998 Govindbhai Patel GN films ₹22 crores (US$3.1 million) [66][67]
3 Shu Thayu? 2018 Krishnadev Yagnik Belvedere Films ₹21 crores (US$2.9 million) [68][69]
4 Chhello Divas 2015 Krishnadev Yagnik Belvedere Films ₹18 crores (US$2.5 million) [66][70]
5 Share Lagu 2018 Neeraj Joshi Superhit Entertainment ₹17.5 crores (US$2.5 million) [68]
6 Hello 2019 Abhishek Shah Harfanmaula Films ₹16 crores (US$2.2 million) [71][72][73]
7 Gujjubhai the Great 2015 Ishaan Randeria Siddharth Randeria Productions ₹15 crores (US$2.1 million) [74]
8 GujjuBhai - Most Wanted 2018 Ishaan Randeria Siddharth Randeria Productions ₹ ten crores (US$1.4 million) [68]
9 Golkeri 2020 Viral Shah Soul Sutra est. ₹ nine crores (US$1.3 million) [75]
10 Bey Yaar 2014 Abhishek Jain CineMan Productions ₹8.5 crores (US$1.2 million) [76]
Hindi
See also: List of the highest domestic net collection of Hindi films
The Hindi language film industry, based in Mumbai, India, is frequently known as Bollywood.[77] Bollywood is the largest film producer in India and one of the world's largest centers of film production.[78][79][80]
Rank Film Year Director Studio(s) Worldwide gross Source
1 Dangal 2016 Nitesh Tiwari Aamir Khan Productions
U.T.V. Motion Pictures
Walt Disney Studios India ₹2,024 crores (US$311 million) [9]
2 Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2015 Kabir Khan Salman Khan Films
Kabir Khan Films
Eros International ₹969.06 crore (US$150 million) [n 1]
3 Secret Superstar 2017 Advait Chandan Aamir Khan Productions ₹966.86 crores (US$154 million) [n 2]
4 PK 2014 Rajkumar Hirani Vinod Chopra Films
Rajkumar Hirani Films ₹832 crores (US$140 million) [20][10]
5 Sultan 2016 Ali Abbas Zafar Yash Raj Films ₹623.33 crores (US$89 million) [25]
6 Sanju 2018 Rajkumar Hirani Rajkumar Hirani Films
Vinod Chopra Films ₹586.85 crores (US$83.34 million) [26]
7 Padmaavat 2018 Sanjay Leela Bhansali Bhansali Productions
Viacom 18 Motion Pictures ₹585 crore (US$83 million) [27][10]
8 Tiger Zinda Hai 2018 Ali Abbas Zafar Yash Raj Films ₹565.1 crores (US$87.32 million) [9][28]
9 Dhoom 3 2013 Vijay Krishna Acharya Yash Raj Films ₹556 crores (US$101 million) [n 3]
10 War 2019 Siddharth Anand Yash Raj Films ₹475.5 crores (US$67 million) [35]
Kannada
Bengaluru is the center for the Kannada cinema, films produced in the Kannada language. It is sometimes known by the nickname "Sandalwood."
Rank Film Year Director(s) Studio(s) Worldwide gross Ref.
1 K.G.F.: Chapter 1 2018 Prashanth Neel Hombale Films ₹250 crores (US$35 million) [81][82][83]
2 Robert 2021 Tharun Sudhir Umapathy Films ₹102 crores (US$14 million) [84]
3 Kurukshetra 2019 Naganna Vrushabhadri Productions ₹90 crores (US$13 million) [81]
4 Raajakumara 2017 Santhosh Ananddram Hombale Films ₹75 crores (US$11 million) [81]
5 Mungaru Male 2006 Yograj Bhat E. K. Entertainers ₹70–₹75 crores [85][86]
6 The Villian 2019 Prem Thanvi Shanvi Films ₹57 crores (US$8.0 million) [81]
7 Avane Srimannarayana 2019 Sachin Ravi Pushkar Films, Paramvah Studios, and Shree Devi Entertainers ₹56 crores (US$7.9 million) [81]
8 Pogaru 2021 Nanda Kishore Sri Jagadguru Movies ₹51 crores (US$7.2 million) [87]
9 Yajamana 2019 Pon Kumaran Media House Studio ₹50 crores (US$7.0 million) [88]
Kirik Party 2016 Rishab Shetty Paramvah Studios ₹50 crores (US$7.0 million) [89]
Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari 2014 Santhosh Ananddram Jayanna Combines ₹50 crores (US$7.0 million) [90]
Malayalam
Malayalam cinema is a part of Indian cinema based in Kerala dedicated to producing motion pictures in the Malayalam language. It is sometimes known by the nickname "Mollywood" by certain media outlets. These are the top 10 highest-grossing Malayalam films.
Rank Film Year Director Studio(s) Worldwide gross Source
1 Lucifer 2019 Prithviraj Sukumaran Aashirvad Cinemas ₹175 crores (US$25 million) [91][92]
2 Pulimurugan 2016 Vysakh Mulakuppadam Films ₹152 crores (US$21 million) [93][94]
3 Kayamkulam Kochunni 2018 Rosshan Andrrews Sree Gokulam Movies ₹100 crore (US$14 million) [95][96]
4 Drishyam 2013 Jeethu Joseph Aashirvad Cinemas ₹75 crores (US$11 million) [97][98]
5 Oppam 2016 Priyadarshan Aashirvad Cinemas ₹65 crores (US$9.1 million) [99][100]
6 Premam 2015 Alphonse Puthren Anwar Rasheed Entertainments ₹60 crores (US$8.4 million) [101]
Mamangam 2019 M. Padmakumar Kavya Film Company ₹60 crore (US$8.4 million) [102]
8 Two Countries 2015 Shafi Rejaputhra Visual Media ₹55 crores (US$7.7 million) [103]
9 Odiyan 2018 V. A. Shrikumar Menon Aashirvad Cinemas ₹54 crores (US$7.6 million) [95]
10 Njan Prakashan 2018 Sathyan Anthikad Full Moon Cinema ₹52 crores (US$7.3 million) [104]
Marathi
The Marathi cinema industry produces films in the Marathi language and is based in Maharashtra, India. India's first full-length film, Raja Harishchandra, was released in 1913 in Marathi.[105] It is sometimes known by the nickname "M-town" by the media.
#+ Implies that the film is bilingual and the gross collection figure includes the worldwide collection of the other simultaneously filmed version.
Rank Film Year Director Studio(s) Worldwide gross Source
1 Sairat 2016 Nagraj Manjule Essel Vision Productions, Aatpat Production ₹110 crores (US$15 million) [106][107]
2 Sachin: A Billion Dreams 2017 James Erskine 200 NotOut Productions ₹76 crores (US$11 million) #+ [108]
3 Natsamrat 2016 Mahesh Manjrekar Fincraft Media & Entertainment & Great Maratha Entertainment ₹48 crores (US$6.7 million) [109]
4 Katyar Kaljat Ghusali 2015 Subodh Bhave Essel Vision Productions ₹40 crores (US$5.6 million) [110]
Timepass 2 2015 Ravi Jadhav Essel Vision Productions ₹40 crores (US$5.6 million) [111]
Lai Bhaari 2014 Nishikant Kamath Mumbai Film Company ₹40 crores (US$5.6 million) [112]
7 Timepass 2014 Ravi Jadhav Zee Talkies ₹33 crores (US$4.6 million) [113]
8 Duniyadari 2013 Sanjay Jadhav Dreaming 24/7 Productions ₹30 crores (US$4.2 million) [114]
9 Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy 2009 Santosh Manjrekar Everest Entertainment ₹25.5 crores (US$3.6 million) [115]
10 Ventilator 2016 Rajesh Mapuskar Purple Pebble Pictures ₹25 crores (US$3.5 million) [116]
Odia
Odia cinema is based in Odisha state, producing movies mainly in the Odia language and Sambalpuri language. The first Odia movie was Sita Vivaha which was released in 1936.
Rank Film Year Director Studio(s) Worldwide gross Source
1 Ishq Tu Hi Tu 2015 Tapas Sargharia Tarang Cine Productions ₹6.79 crores [117]
Punjabi
Main article: List of highest-grossing Punjabi films
Punjabi cinema, producing films in the Punjabi language, is primarily based in the state of Punjab.
Rank Film Year Director Studio(s) Worldwide gross Source
1 Chaar Sahibzaade 2014 Harry Baweja Baweja Movies ₹70 crores (US$9.8 million) [118]
2 Carry on Jatta 2 2018 Smeep Kang White Hill Studio, A & A Advisors ₹62.37 crores (US$8.7 million) [119]
3 Sardaar Ji 2015 Rohit Jugraj Chauhan White Hill Studio ₹50 crores (US$7.0 million) [120]
4 Manje Bistre 2017 Baljit Singh Deo Humble Motion Pictures ₹45 crores (US$6.3 million) [121]
5 Angrej 2015 Simerjit Singh Dara Productions ₹31 crores (US$4.3 million) [122]
6 Qismat 2018 Jagdeep Sidhu Shri Narotam Productions ₹30 crores (US$4.2 million) [123]
7 Jatt & Juliet 2 2013 Anurag Singh White Hill Studio ₹28 crores (US$3.9 million) [124]
8 Jatt & Juliet 2012 Anurag Singh White Hill Studio ₹27 crores (US$3.8 million) [125]
9 Sajjan Singh Rangroot 2018 Pankaj Batra Vivid Art House ₹26 crores (US$3.6 million) [126]
10 Love Punjab 2016 Rajiev Dhingra Rhythm Boyz Entertainment ₹25.5 crores (US$3.6 million) [127]
Tamil
Main article: List of highest-grossing Tamil films
Tamil cinema, the Tamil language film industry, is based in the Kodambakkam neighborhood of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is sometimes colloquially known as "Kollywood," a portmanteau of Kodambakkam and Hollywood.
#+ Implies that the film is multilingual and the gross collection figure includes the worldwide collection of the other simultaneously filmed version.
Rank Film Year Director Studio Worldwide gross Source
1 Baahubali 2: The Conclusion 2017 S. S. Rajamouli Arka Media Works ₹1,810 crores (US$250 million) #+ [9]
2 2.0 2018 S. Shankar Lyca Productions ₹500 crore–₹800 crores (US73.11–$113.6) [21][128]
3 Baahubali: The Beginning 2015 S. S. Rajamouli Arka Media Works ₹650 crores (US$101.32 million) #+ [23]
4 Saaho 2019 Sujeeth UV Creations
T-Series
₹433.06 crore (US$57 million) #+ [37]
5 Vigil 2019 Atlee AGS Entertainment ₹300 crore (US$46.07 million) [129][130][131]
6 Master 2021 Lokesh Kanagaraj XB Film Creators ₹300 crores (US$42 million) [132]
7 Enthiran 2010 S. Shankar Sun Pictures ₹290 crores (US$63.04 million) [133][134]
8 Kabali 2016 Pa. Ranjith V Creations est.₹286–477 crore (US$42.56–71 million) [n 4]
9 Mersal 2017 Atlee Thenandal Studio Limited ₹260 crores (US$39.93 million) [142][143]
Sarkar 2018 AR Murugadoss Sun Pictures ₹260 crores (US$38.02 million) [143]
Telugu
Main article: List of highest-grossing Telugu films
Telugu cinema, also known by its nickname "Tollywood," is a part of Indian cinema producing films in the Telugu language, in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and is centered in the Hyderabad neighborhood of Film Nagar.[144]
#+ Implies that the film is multilingual and the gross collection figure includes the worldwide collection of the other simultaneously filmed version.
Rank Film Year Director Studio(s) Worldwide gross Ref(s)
1 Baahubali 2: The Conclusion 2017 S. S. Rajamouli Arka Media Works ₹1,810 crores (US$250 million) #+ [9]
2 Baahubali: The Beginning 2015 S. S. Rajamouli Arka Media Works ₹650 crores (US$101.32 million) #+ [23]
3 Saaho 2019 Sujeeth UV Creations
T-Series ₹433.06 crore (US$57 million) #+ [37]
4 Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo 2020 Trivikram Srinivas Haarika & Hassine Creations
Geetha Arts ₹262 crores (US$37 million) [145]
5 Sarileru Neekevvaru 2020 Anil Ravipudi Sri Venkateswara Creations
G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment
AK Entertainments ₹260 crore (US$36 million) [146][147][148]
6 Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy 2019 Surender Reddy Konidela Production Company ₹240.60 crores (US$57 million) [149]
7 Rangasthalam 2018 Sukumar Mythri Movie Makers ₹216 crores (US$30 million) [150][151]
8 Bharat Ane Nenu 2018 Koratala SivD.V.V.VV Entertainments ₹187.6 crore–₹225 crores (US$26.64–31.95 million) [152][153]
9 Attarintiki Daredi 2013 Trivikram Srinivas Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra ₹187 crores (US$26 million) [154]
10 Maharshi 2019 Vamsi Paidipally Vyjayanthi Movies
Sri Venkateswara Creations
PVP Cinema ₹168.2 crore–₹200 crore (US$23.89–28.4 million) [155][156][157
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