‘Dhurandhar’ Headlines Record $2.18 Billion 2025 for Indian Film as Overall Media and Entertainment Sector Reaches $29.6 Billion

By Admin

25 Mar, 2026

India’s media and entertainment (M&E) industry achieved a historic milestone in 2025, driven by record-breaking box office success and rapid digital expansion. The standout performer was the film Dhurandhar, which helped propel India’s filmed entertainment segment to its highest-ever revenue of INR205 billion ($2.18 billion). This growth formed part of a broader surge that lifted the country’s total M&E sector to INR2.78 trillion ($29.63 billion), marking a 9% year-on-year increase, according to the report “Stories, Scale and Impact: Unlocking India’s Media and Entertainment Economy,” released at the FICCI Frames conference in Mumbai.

Record Year for Indian Films

The Indian film industry witnessed unprecedented momentum in 2025. More than 1,900 films were released, with 37 movies crossing the INR1 billion ($10.7 million) box office threshold. The theatrical segment alone grew 14%, largely due to higher ticket prices and strong audience demand. “Dhurandhar” emerged as the year’s standout performer, setting new benchmarks and contributing significantly to the sector’s record revenue.

Regional cinema continued to dominate production, accounting for over 65% of total films released. Meanwhile, digital and satellite rights values declined by 8% and 10%, respectively, as buyers became more selective and linked valuations closely to theatrical performance.

Media & Entertainment Sector Outpaces GDP Growth

India’s M&E sector growth of 9% surpassed the country’s per-capita GDP expansion of 7.7%. The industry now contributes approximately 0.8% of India’s GDP, providing direct employment to around 2.75 million people and indirectly supporting over 10 million jobs.

Digital media emerged as the single largest segment, crossing $10.66 billion for the first time. India’s streaming market exceeded $2.9 billion, while regional language consumption surged from 27% in 2020 to 56% in 2025. The industry also produced nearly 200,000 hours of content, with most created in regional languages.

Advertising and Digital Media Drive Growth

Advertising revenues increased 13.5% to $15.98 billion, representing 0.41% of India’s GDP. Digital advertising alone grew 26% to $10.09 billion, accounting for 63% of total advertising revenue. E-commerce and point-of-sale advertising surged 50% to $2.34 billion, while Connected TV advertising rose significantly as subscriptions grew by 35%.

Digital subscriptions also experienced strong growth, climbing 60% to $1.74 billion. Paid video subscriptions reached 216 million across 143 million households, driven by premium sports and film content behind paywalls.

Live Events and Other Segments

The organized live events segment surged 44% to $1.55 billion, boosted by concerts, weddings, government events, and religious gatherings such as the Maha Kumbh Mela. Out-of-home media grew 13%, while the music sector increased 10%, supported by diversification into events and branded content.

However, some segments faced challenges. Linear TV advertising declined 10.3% as brands shifted spending to digital platforms. Radio revenues fell 7%, and the animation and VFX segment grew only 2% due to global production slowdowns. The online gaming sector also declined 17% following regulatory changes.

Strong Digital Future Ahead

Looking forward, the M&E sector is projected to reach $35.17 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual rate of over 7%. Digital media is expected to remain the fastest-growing segment, with new media projected to account for 53% of total revenues by 2028. Digital advertising is anticipated to drive incremental growth, supported by SMEs and e-commerce platforms.

Conclusion

The remarkable performance of “Dhurandhar” symbolizes the strength of India’s evolving entertainment ecosystem. With digital platforms expanding, regional content rising, and advertising shifting toward measurable formats, the industry is entering a new phase of scale and innovation. As the sector moves toward a projected $35 billion valuation, India’s media and entertainment landscape is poised to become one of the world’s most dynamic and influential markets. 🎥📈