‘Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra’, ‘Laalo’ to ‘Su From So’: Regional movies that won hearts in 2025

A great example of a film on a grand scale, made by Malayalam cinema, is ‘Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra’. It resonates with viewers as it provides an ambitious movie experience, along with a riveting visual design. Kalyani Priyadarshan is the lead actress, and with the film's unique story premise, it made its mark on audiences who enjoy genre-driven storytelling beyond the usual mainstream offerings. As such, this film has become one of the most widely talked about films from the Malayalam industry this year.

Defying all expectations, ‘Su From So’ emerged as a landmark success for Kannada cinema in 2025, storming into the elite Rs 100-crore global club. Directed by JP Thuminad and powered by a standout performance from Raj B. Shetty, the film’s deep cultural authenticity helped it become the highest-grossing Sandalwood release of the year and a rare bright spot in an otherwise subdued season for the industry.

Gujarati cinema reached a historic milestone with ‘Laalo’, one of its most impactful successes in recent years. Made on a modest budget of around Rs 50 lakhs, the devotional drama went on to collect over Rs 100 crore at the box office. The film’s extraordinary run underscored the enduring power of culturally rooted narratives and cemented its status as an all-time blockbuster and cultural phenomenon.

Among the biggest Punjabi theatrical successes of the year, ‘Saukhan Saukhane 2’ once again highlighted Sargun Mehta’s remarkable box-office pull. Headlined and produced by Sargun under the Dreamiyata Drama banner, the sequel benefited from strong word-of-mouth and repeat audiences, reinforcing its position as a major commercial winner in Punjabi cinema.