Ravi Teja’s Irumudi has created several records at the box office with its amazing success, crossing the prestigious 1 Cr footfalls mark in India a few days ago. For a medium-budget film to achieve such a massive milestone is nothing short of sensational.
Bollywood’s phenomenal blockbuster, Hanuman Ansh, joins the club of 1 Cr footfalls now, with Bethlehem Kudumba Unit and another superhit movie, Mirzapur, also set to join soon.
Films Joining the 1 Cr Footfalls Club
| Film | Industry | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Irumudi | Telugu | 1 Cr+ Footfalls |
| Hanuman Ansh | Hindi | 1 Cr+ Footfalls |
| Bethlehem Kudumba Unit | Malayalam | Approaching 1 Cr |
| Mirzapur | Hindi | Approaching 1 Cr |
Content Decides a Film’s Range — Not Budget
What makes the Irumudi footfalls achievement and this broader trend remarkable is that none of these films are massive-budget or huge star-studded projects. Yet, they are achieving milestones that even big-star and big-budget films have failed to reach this year.
Hanuman Ansh, made on just a ₹2 Cr budget, has emerged as one of 2026’s most profitable films, proving that compelling storytelling trumps production scale. Similarly, Irumudi has delivered sensational numbers despite being a regional medium-budget release.
Nivin Pauly is a star hero in Malayalam cinema, but Bethlehem Kudumba Unit‘s budget is not huge. Malayalam stars mostly do medium-budget films that prioritize strong narratives over spectacle.
What makes this trend even more significant is the timing. In a year where several big-budget releases have struggled to sustain theatrical momentum, these medium-budget films have demonstrated exceptional staying power through word-of-mouth and repeat viewership.
Medium-budget films have been creating history across languages this year. Irumudi, Hanuman Ansh, and BKU joining the 1 Cr footfalls club makes one thing clear: only content brings audiences, not budgets.
Now, we will have to wait and see which small or medium-budget film will achieve this feat in the coming days.
