Big star cinema to make a comeback next year but small surprises crucial

Devang Sampat, managing director of Cinepolis India, identified three highlights of the year. “First, 2025 has demonstrated that India is not merely recovering from the pandemic years but actively expanding its cinema-going base. Second, the success of regional and mid-budget films has reduced dependence on a narrow set of Hindi blockbusters. Gujarati, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Assamese films have all delivered consistent business, helping theatres maintain momentum even when one language segment slows. Third, audience behaviour is shifting in encouraging ways. Viewers are making more deliberate choices, showing up when they believe in a film rather than responding to opening-weekend marketing alone,” said Sampat, whose company operates nearly 450 screens.