2018 has been a fantastic year for filmmakers in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam industries in terms of collections at the Box Office. From Rangasthalam in Telugu to Kayamkulam Kochunni in Malayalam, many films down South have clocked unbelievable numbers at the ticket windows, which helped the industry grow statistically. The Kannada Film industry joined the race this year with Yash-starrer KGF, which continues to have a terrific run at the box office in all the versions. As we approach the end of 2018, we look at the highest grossing films in South Indian cinema and breaking numerous records:

Rangasthalam:

2018 began with a bang in the form of Rangasthalam, which went on to earn a gross collection of Rs 175 crore at the box office worldwide. Directed by Sukumar, Rangasthalam starred Ram Charan and Samantha Akkineni in the lead role, while Aadhi Pinisetty played a key role in the plot. Rangasthalam stands as the highest grossing film in Telugu cinema after Baahubali with Rs 175 crore gross collections.

Mahanati:

This biopic on legendary actress Savitri is also a success story of Telugu cinema and is being considered as a cult classic. Mahanati earned a gross collection of Rs 85 crore worldwide which includes a mammoth $2 million at the US box office. Directed by Nag Ashwin, Mahanti featured Keerthy Suresh in the titular role while Dulquer Salmaan played Gemini Ganesan.

Bharat Ane Nenu:

This Mahesh Babu-starrer political drama clocked a gross collection of more than Rs 160 crore at the box office, including the $2 million in North America markets. Bharat Ane Nenu is the fifth film of Mahesh Babu to clock $1 million in the US which is the second highest after Jr NTR. Bharat Ane Nenu was directed by Siva Koratala and starred Kiara Advani making her debut in Tollywood.

Geetha Govindam:

This film was a different avenue for Vijay Deverakonda after having featured in raw and rustic films. And the actor impressed the audience with his acting skills and turned the film into a super success. Geetha Govindam grossed more than Rs 90 crore at the box office and $2 million in the US.

Sarkar:

After Mersal, expectations on Thalapathy Vijay were towering high and he did not disappoint his fans. Sarkar brought back A.R.Murugadoss and Vijay after three years and the combo proved to be a successful one. Sarkar raked in more than Rs 160 crore at the box office and stands as the highest grossing film in Tamil cinema this year.

2.0:

It came, ruled and set new benchmarks in Indian cinema. Touted to be the most expensive film in Indian cinema, 2.0 has clocked Rs 700 crore at the box office which is the second highest for an Indian cinema after Baahubali 2. Starring Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar in lead roles, 2.0 is the highest grossing film in Indian cinema in 2018.

Aravindha Sametha:

This mass entertainer is the first-time collaboration of Jr NTR and Trivikram Srinivas and buzz around the film was on an unimaginable level. And fans were more than happy post release of the film which went on to become the fifth Rs 100 crore film in Jr NTR s career. Aravindha Sametha is the sixth Jr NTR film to clock $1 million in the US market.

Taxiwaala:

Even before the release of the film, the raw footage of the film got leaked and the film termed as a humdrum affair. But post the release, this Vijay Deverakonda-starrer had a terrific run at the box office and raked in more than Rs 75 crore at the ticket window.

Odiyan:

Malayalam's biggest release this year, Odiyan starred Mohanlal in the lead role and was the first film as director for ad filmmaker VA Shrikumar Menon. And the combo proved to be a successful one post release. Odiyan turned out to be the highest grossing film in Malayalam this year with gross collections of Rs 76 crore.

Kayamkulam Kochunni:

This Nivin Pauly-starrer is the most expensive film made in Malayalam cinema till date and was riding with high expectations on it. And within no time, Kayamkulam Kochunni raked in Rs 50 crore only in India and grossed more than $1.5 in the North American markers. Directed by Rosshan Andrews, Kayamkulam Kochunni is the second highest grosser in Malayalam after Odiyan.

Kaala:

Tamil movie-buffs were eagerly waiting for the release of the film because of obvious reasons Rajinikanth. Directed by Pa Ranjith, Kaala had Rajinikanth playing a gangster in the slums of Mumbai and locking horns with local leader played by Nana Patekar. Kaala went on to clock Rs 135 crore at the box office in all the three languages Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.

KGF:

This Yash-starrer was the trump card of Kannada cinema and hit jackpot upon release. KGF turned out to be the winner at the box office despite releasing along with big-ticket films in Bollywood and other languages. KGF has already crossed Rs 100 crore at the domestic market and continues to have a terrific run at the BO.

Thaana Serndha Kootam:

An adaptation of Bollywood film Special 26, Thaana Serndha Kootam featured Suriya in the lead role and was directed by Vignesh Shivn. The film received mixed reviews from all quarters but eventually turned out to be the biggest hit in the first half of 2018. Thaana Serndha Kootam earned a gross collection of more than Rs 110 crore worldwide.

Bhaagamathie:

Another release in the beginning of the year in Tollywood, Bhaagamathie turned out be one of the most profitable ventures for the makers. Featuring Anushka Shetty in lead roles, this horror-thriller raked in Rs 120 crores at the box office including $1.5 million in the US.

Vada Chennai:

This Dhanush-starrer was one of the biggest releases this year which had a great run in cinema halls. Set in the backdrop of North Madras, Vada Chennai had Dhanush playing a ruthless gangster while Aishwarya Rajesh and Andrea Jeremiah played the other lead roles. Vada Chennai managed to grab a spot in the highest grossing Tamil films with Rs 85 crore at the BO.

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