Indian cinemas continued their strong run in 2026, with April delivering robust box-office numbers and further strengthening the industry’s recovery momentum. Films released during the month grossed an estimated Rs 787 crore at the domestic box office, including projected future collections, driven largely by the success of ‘Bhooth Bangla’ and ‘Vaazha 2’.

According to an Ormax report, the two films emerged as the biggest contributors to April’s earnings, accounting for nearly 43 per cent of the month’s total box-office collections. Their strong performance helped sustain audience footfalls across markets and genres during a competitive release period.

Leading the charts was ‘Bhooth Bangla’, which secured the position of April’s highest-grossing film. It was followed by ‘Vaazha 2’, making the duo the clear frontrunners of the month. Apart from these two titles, only two other films managed to cross the Rs 50 crore milestone — ‘Michael’, the much-anticipated biographical drama based on music legend Michael Jackson, and Tamil-language entertainer ‘Love Insurance Kompany’.

The report highlights a broader positive trend for the exhibition sector. With April’s performance included, the cumulative Indian box office for 2026 has reached Rs 4,219 crore, reflecting a 15 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

The growth indicates that audiences are continuing to return to theatres in large numbers despite increasing competition from streaming platforms.

Hindi cinema maintained its dominant position in the market, accounting for nearly half of the industry’s total box-office share in 2026 so far. The language category also occupied the top two spots among the year’s highest-grossing releases.

In April’s top 10 rankings, Hindi films secured four positions, while Telugu cinema contributed three titles. Malayalam cinema featured with one film, and two international releases also made the list, underscoring the increasingly diverse viewing preferences of Indian audiences.

One of the most notable developments during the month came from Malayalam cinema, which recorded a significant jump in market share. The segment doubled its contribution from 4 per cent in March to 8 per cent in April, reflecting growing audience interest in content from the industry.

Hollywood releases also enjoyed a successful period at the Indian box office. The momentum generated by ‘Project Hail Mary’ in March carried into April with the strong performance of Michael, helping international titles strengthen their presence in the market.