Malayalam film industry crosses Rs 1,000 crore worldwide, Bollywood and Telugu films are left struggling. The Malayalam film industry has surpassed the Rs 1,000 crore mark at the worldwide box office in 2024. This comes at a time when bigger industries like Bollywood and Telugu cinema are facing struggles with box office performance.

There have been a series of critically praised and commercially successful films this year. Movies like Manjummel Boys, Aadujeevitam, and Aavesham, which reportedly grossed over Rs 240.94 crore, Rs 157.44 crore, and 153.52 crore worldwide, and Guruvayoorambala Nadayil resonated with audiences, resulting in a growing collection from January to April 2024, which reached Rs 985 crore.

Last year, Mathrubhumi further reported that the industry had witnessed a total global gross of about Rs 500 crore with the success of films like Kannur Squad, RDX, Neru, and Romancham. Malayalam cinema has so far contributed 20 percent of India’s total gross collection in 2024, while Bollywood has contributed only 38 percent.

Malayalam cinema has been mentioned for its fresh storylines and willingness to experiment with genres. Some critics argue that Bollywood films have become standard and repetitive, relying heavily on big stars and exaggerated song-and-dance sequences. Telugu cinema, too, has faced criticism for its focus on larger-than-life action movies and star power over strong scripts.

This achievement marks an important moment for Malayalam cinema. It highlights the industry’s ability to produce exciting content that resonates with audiences not only in India but also globally. While the reasons behind the struggles of Bollywood and Telugu cinema are complex and warrant further examination, the contrasting fortunes of these film industries paint an interesting picture of the current trends in Indian cinema. It remains to be seen if the big-budget film industries can adapt and recapture their audiences’ attention, or if Malayalam cinema can sustain its momentum at the box office.

Bollywood couple Yami Gautam and Aditya Dhar on Monday announced the birth of their baby boy Vedavid. The Bollywood actor and her filmmaker husband shared the news through an Instagram post. They shared a picture of Lord Krishna holding a baby boy in a collaborative social media post.

The Instagram post read that they are thrilled to announce the birth of their son, Vedavid  who graced them with his birth on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritya. The couple also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the professionals at Surya Hospital, with special mention to Dr Bhupender Awasthi and Dr Ranjana Dhanu. 

They added that as they embark on this beautiful journey of parenthood, they eagerly anticipate the bright future that awaits their son. Many fans and Bollywood celebrities showered blessing and congratulatory messages. 

Ranveer Singh, who is expecting his first child with wife Deepika Padukone took to Instagram and showered love to the family.  Ayushmann Khurrana, who is Gautam’s Vicky Donor co-star, also expressed heartiest congratulations to the couple. Neha Dhupia, Mriunal Thakur, Hrithik Roshan also showered blessings and congratulated the couple on their parenthood.

Yami Gautam and Aditya Dhar got married on June 4, 2021 in Himachal Pradesh. The couple announced the pregnancy news during the trailer launch of their film Article 370 in February this year. Yami Gautam had revealed that she filmed action scenes during the starting month of her pregnancy. She said that it was very difficult and mentally draining to shoot during the pregnancy period. She also credited her husband Aditya Dhar and her team for being pillars of strength and support.    

On the work front, Yami Gautam has an exciting lineup of projects in her kitty. The actor is set to appear in director Rishab Seth’s upcoming action comedy film Dhoom Dhaam, alongside Pratik Gandhi and Mukul Chadda. The film centers on Veer Khurana and Koyal Chadda, a mismatched couple in an arranged marriage. Their wedding night takes an unexpected turn when a case of mistaken identity leads them to go on the run, searching for the mysterious person named Charlie.

The former captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MS Dhoni, hasn’t yet announced his retirement plan or whether he plans to continue his career in the IPL, but a CSK official has revealed a message Dhoni gave to the management.

CSK was eliminated from IPL 2024 after a defeat by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their final league match on Saturday. Both teams had 14 points each, but due to a higher net-run rate, RCB led by Faf du Plessis qualified for the playoffs. CSK fans were sad not only about the defeat of their team but also about the fact that they might see MS Dhoni for the last time in the IPL. However, a CSK official has revealed that he hasn’t commented on his potential retirement.

The unnamed CSK official revealed that Dhoni has requested that the team management hold off on any decisions regarding his retirement for a few months. He said that Dhoni himself hasn’t reached a conclusion and might be considering another season.

The official also mentioned that Dhoni felt comfortable with his running between the wickets during the IPL, a key concern for some fans regarding his age. Additionally, the introduction of the impact player rule in IPL 2024 might influence Dhoni’s decision. This rule allows teams to bring in a substitute player during the second strategic break, potentially offering Dhoni a more specific role within the team that is less physically demanding.

With Dhoni maintaining his silence and the possibility of the ‘Impact Player’ rule working in his favour, CSK fans might not have seen the last of their beloved captain just yet. The official said that the management would wait for Dhoni’s message on the topic and added that MS Dhoni has always had the best interests of the team in mind.