Hindi cinema splits the South: Telugu states power Bollywood, Tamil Nadu and Kerala stay cold

Bollywood releases pull ₹45 cr in Telugu states versus ₹8 cr in Tamil Nadu and ₹3 cr in Kerala, with screen density (1,046 AP, 598 Telangana vs 1,178 TN, 808 Kerala), ticket caps and local-language loyalty driving uneven exhibitor economics for chains like BookMyShow partners.

— Filed Thu, 25 Jun, 2026, 11:52 IST · Source Mint · Industry · Updated

Hindi film box office performance diverges across south India: Telugu states embrace Bollywood while Tamil Nadu and Kerala resist, driven by screen density, local cinema preference, and pricing rules. Cinema chains and exhibitors face uneven distribution economics across southern markets.

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