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As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to look back at how Tollywood’s top stars performed at the box office. While expectations were high, the year delivered mixed results for most A-list heroes. Big star power alone could not guarantee success, and content once again proved to be the key factor. Here is a hero-wise analysis of the year.
Ram Charan kick-started the year with the Sankranti release Game Changer. Despite massive expectations and a star director at the helm, the film failed to sustain momentum due to weak storytelling and predictable narration. The movie managed decent opening collections but could not convert them into long-term success.
Balakrishna emerged as one of the more successful stars of 2025. Daaku Maharaj turned out to be a solid hit during Sankranti. Later, Akhanda 2: Tandavam faced financial hurdles and delays but eventually released and satisfied fans. Balayya’s mass appeal once again proved reliable at the box office.
Venkatesh was the biggest winner of the year. Sankranthiki Vastunnam, directed by Anil Ravipudi, became an industry hit, collecting close to ₹300 crore. The clean family entertainment and strong repeat value kept theatres packed for weeks, reaffirming Venkatesh’s strength among family audiences.
Ravi Teja tried to bounce back with Mass Jathara, but the film failed to impress audiences. Despite high expectations, weak content and routine treatment resulted in another setback. The year highlighted the urgent need for stronger script selection.
After the success of Devara, Jr. NTR made his straight Hindi debut with War 2, alongside Hrithik Roshan. Released in August, the film underperformed and received mixed feedback. The result showed that pan-India scale alone cannot replace solid storytelling.
Nagarjuna did not release a solo film in 2025 but appeared in powerful special roles. His negative-shaded role in Kubera earned praise, while Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, gave him a stylish villain avatar. Though both films received mixed responses, Nagarjuna’s performance stood out.
After skipping releases last year due to political commitments, Pawan Kalyan gave fans a double treat in 2025. Hari Hara Veera Mallu struggled due to VFX issues, but OG turned into a massive success. Directed by Sujeeth, the film became the highest-grossing movie of Pawan Kalyan’s career.
2025 clearly showed that star power and pan-India ambition are not enough. Films backed by strong content and emotional connect performed far better than big-budget spectacles. The year served as a reminder that audiences now prioritize storytelling over scale.
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