The budget is only Rs 3 crore and the box office collection is Rs 131.18 crore. According to Sacknilk, the film's profit rate is about 44 times the budget of the film. According to reports from other sources, the film was made on a budget of Rs 9 crore. Still, it grossed 14.5 times its budget.
Despite the big revenues of big-budget films, the most profitable Indian movie of 2024 is a small-budget love story. The film has earned 44 times its budget. Released in February 2024 and streamed in multiple languages, the film highlights the success of small-budget Indian cinema.
Premalu (2024)
The Malayalam-language romantic drama Premalu (2024) has been named the most profitable Indian film of the year. In terms of profit, it has surpassed the big-budget blockbusters Pushpa 2, Kalki 2898 AD and Stree 2.
Bollywood film 'Stree 2' has earned Rs 875 crore. Budgeted at Rs 60 crore, the film earned 14.5 times its total budget. However, according to some reports, its budget was Rs 90 crore.
However, 'Premalu' turned out to be a rare success, especially as a small-budget film without a big star to make huge profits.
Directed by Girish AD, 'Premalu' is a romantic drama. The film deals with the complexities of young love.
The film stars newcomers Naslen K. Gafoor and Mamita Baiju in the lead roles. The film also stars Sangeeth Pratap, Akhila Bhargavan, Shyam Mohan, Meenakshi Ravindran, Mathew Thomas and Altaf Saleem in pivotal roles.
The beginning of 'Premalu' in the theater was slow, but due to strong publicity, the ticket sales of the film increased. Upon completion of its run, it became not only one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of 2024, but also one of the most profitable films in the history of Indian cinema.
Zaira Wasim played lead role 'Secret Superstar', she later announced her retirement from acting at the age of 19. The film 'Secret Superstar' was also equally successful according to the budget. Made on a budget of Rs 15 crore in 2016, the film earned Rs 912.75 crore.
In contrast, the big-budget film 'Pushpa 2' grossed Rs 1,800 crore worldwide, but the profit was only five times the budget of Rs 350 crore.
While 'Kalki 2,898 AD' earned Rs 1,200 crore, it earned double the budget of Rs 600 crore.
'Premalu' was released in theatres in February 2024. The film started streaming on the OTT platform in April.
Disney + Hotstar is streaming the film in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi. The film will be released in Telugu on the OTT platform.