'RRR' may bag an Oscar nomination for its otherworldly visual effects

Released on March 24, ‘RRR’ is one of the biggest pan-India hits this year. Directed by SS Rajamouli, this action-drama film stars NT Rama Rao Jr, Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran, Samuthirakani, Ray Stevenson, Alison Doody and OliviaMorris. Made at a budget of Rs 555 crore, ‘RRR’ earned Rs 1,144 crore worldwide.

The plot of the film centres around two real-life Indian revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju (Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Rama Rao), their friendship and their fight against British rule. Set in the 1920s, ‘RRR’ plot explores the undocumented period in their lives when both of them chose to go into obscurity before they began the fight for their country.

‘KGF Chapter’, released on April 14, was directed by Prashanth Neel. This Kannada period-action film serves as a sequel to the 2018 ‘KGF Chapter 1’. It stars Yash, Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Srinidhi Shetty and Prakash Raj. The movie was an instant hit. Made at a budget of Rs 100 crore, ‘KGF Chapter 2’ box office collection in India was Rs 991 crore. The film also grossed another $27 million.

‘KGF Chapter 2’ is about the assassin Rocky, who after establishing himself as the kingpin of the Kolar Gold Fields, must retain his supremacy over adversaries and government officials in the area, while also coming to terms with his past.

‘Kantara’ is one of the many pan-India hits of the year that was well-received by the audiences for its direction, writing, production design, plot and cinematography. Released on September 30, the Kannada action-thriller film was directed by Rishab Shetty, and stars Rishab Shetty and Kishor in the lead roles. It was made for Rs 16 crore and earned approximately Rs 393 crore.

The story is set in the 18th century when a king gives a piece of land to tribals in exchange for peace. Fast forward to several decades later, the king's descendant arrives at a Bhoota Kolka (a traditional dance in honour of the local deities) and threatens the tribals to return the land. However, in the end, he dies a tragic death.

‘Ponniyin Selvan: 1’ was released on September 30. Directed by Mani Ratnam, this epic Tamil historical action-drama earned approximately Rs 467 crore at the box office. ‘Ponniyin Selvan: 1’ has an ensemble cast, including Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Jayaram, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prabhu, R Sarathkumar, Vikram Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Rahman, R Parthiban and Lal. This movie dramatises the early life of Chola prince Arumozhi Varman, who would become the renowned emperor Rajaraja 1.

Released on August 5, ‘Sita Ramam’ is a Telugu period romance film written and directed by Hanu Raghavapudi. Made at a budget of Rs 30 crore, ‘Sita Ramam’ earned approximately Rs 91 crore. It stars Mrunal Thakur, Dulquer Salmaan, Rashmila Mandanna and Sumanth. It is said that this movie is based on a true story.

‘Sita Raman’ is set in 1964 when Lieutenant Ram (played by Dulquer Salmaan), an orphaned army officer, is serving at the Kashmir border. However, his life changes after he receives a letter from a girl named Sita and love blossoms between them. But, when he is captured by the Pakistan army, he writes one last letter to Sita, which only reaches her after his death.

Released on June 3, ‘Vikram’ is a Tamil action-thriller film written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. It stars Kamal Haasan, Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi. Besides its plot, the film was highly appreciated for its music. Made at a budget of approximately Rs 150 crore, this film serves as the second instalment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). It managed to earn around Rs 333 crore at the box office.

The plot follows a black-ops squad led by Agent Vikram that aims to bring down a drug syndicate group called Vetti Vagaiyara, led by Santhanam, who wants the missing drugs to be delivered to his boss Rolex.

Directed by Anup Bhandari, ‘Vikrant Rona’ was released on July 28. It is a Kannada action-thriller film that stars Sudeepa in the lead role and Nirup Bhandari, Neetha Ashok and Jacqueline Fernandez in supporting roles. The film was made at a budget of Rs 95 crore and managed to earn around Rs 159 crore at the box office.

The plot revolves around Inspector Vikrant Rona, who arrives at a remote village in the middle of a tropical rainforest where he starts witnessing a series of unexplainable events attributed to the supernatural.