Most-Expensive South Indian Movies: Some of the most talked-about Indian films in recent years include Adipurush and Kalki 2898 AD. Adipurush, starring Prabhas alongside Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon, generated massive attention but also faced controversy over its dialogues and the portrayal of characters inspired by the Ramayana. Meanwhile, Kalki 2898 AD impressed audiences with its futuristic storytelling and performances by Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan, emerging as one of the biggest cinematic successes in recent times.
Most-Expensive South Indian Movies
Adipurush (Rs 750 cr)
Topping the list is Adipurush, the 2023 release starring Prabhas. The Indian mythological action-fantasy film also features Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon in key roles. Inspired by the epic Ramayana, the film generated massive attention even before its release due to its grand scale and visual ambition. However, once it hit theatres, it quickly became the subject of intense controversy. Several viewers and critics raised objections to certain dialogues in the film, while others criticised what they felt were distortions in the portrayal of well-known mythological characters. The backlash sparked widespread debate on social media and in public discourse, making the film one of the most talked-about releases of the year.
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Kalki 2898 AD (Rs 600 cr)
Kalki 2898 AD released in 2024 and crossed Rs 1,000 crore at the worldwide box office. It emerged as one of the biggest hits from the Telugu film industry. The epic sci-fi film blends Hindu mythology with a dystopian future and was widely praised for its visual effects and performances by Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan. The film is part of the Kalki Cinematic Universe, a futuristic franchise created by Nag Ashwin. If the reports are to be belived, the movie was made on a budget of Rs 600 crore.
RRR (Rs 550 cr)
Featuring Ram Charan, the 2022 epic period action drama RRR was directed by S. S. Rajamouli and became widely known for its high-octane action, emotional storytelling, and signature masala entertainment. The film also starred N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ajay Devgn, and Alia Bhatt in key roles. After its theatrical run, the film’s streaming rights were acquired by Netflix and ZEE5, which further expanded its global reach and popularity.
Pushpa 2 (Rs 400-500 cr)
Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by Sukumar and starring Allu Arjun, is the sequel to Pushpa: The Rise. The film’s mass-entertainment formula is widely credited for its huge box-office success, and it also features Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli.