South Blockbuster Claims Spot as IMDb’s Most Popular Indian Movie of 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, IMDb has unveiled the top Indian film of the year, and the winner is a surprise to many. Despite high expectations for big-ticket movies like Singham Again, Stree 2, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, it was a South Indian blockbuster that clinched the title of the most popular Indian movie of the year. This development has shifted the spotlight from the anticipated favorites to a new cinematic marvel, proving the diverse tastes of the Indian audience.

In a surprising revelation, Kalki 2898 AD, starring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, secured the top position as IMDb's Most Popular Indian Movie of 2024, pushing Stree 2 to second place and Maharaja to third. This indicates a significant achievement for the film's crew and highlights the audience's evolving preferences, showcasing their appreciation for quality storytelling and cinematic innovation across different genres and regions.

Nag Ashwin, the filmmaker behind Kalki 2898 AD, expressed his gratitude and astonishment at the film's success. "It's truly amazing to see Kalki 2898 AD being celebrated as IMDb's Most Popular Indian Movie of 2024. This recognition is a testament to the love and support of our incredible audience, who embraced the film with open hearts. We poured our souls into the film and it's so humbling to see it resonate with all ages across the world," he remarked. This sentiment echoes the film's universal appeal and the hard work poured into its creation.

The IMDb list for 2024 showcases a diverse selection of films, featuring seven Hindi movies, alongside one each in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, including Manjummel Boys at the sixth spot. Notably, Deepika Padukone starred in three of the top films: Fighter, Kalki 2898-AD, and Singham Again, highlighting her dominance in the Indian film industry. This year's rankings, determined by page views from over 250 million monthly IMDb visitors, reflect films released between January 1 and November 25, 2024, with an average user rating of 5 or higher.

The Web Series Landscape of 2024

Shifting focus to the digital space, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar by Sanjay Leela Bhansali emerged as the Most Popular Indian Web Series of 2024, followed by other hits like Mirzapur and Panchayat. This year's list saw representation from five subscription-based services, illustrating the wide array of content that resonated with viewers across platforms. The inclusion of non-fiction in the list, with The Great Indian Kapil Show making its mark, demonstrates the genre's growing popularity among Indian audiences.

Tanya Bami, series head of Netflix India, shared her excitement about the platform's series capturing top honors. "Seeing our Indian series earn the top recognition is truly heartening. Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, our most ambitious drama series yet, became a cultural phenomenon. Maamla Legal Hai emerged as a breakout hit, skillfully blending courtroom drama with refreshing humour, and The Great Indian Kapil Show defined weekend entertainment. The inclusion of these three unique series in the list demonstrates the variety and quality of our India slate and reinforces the importance of long-format storytelling in our content strategy."

Shilangi Mukherji, director and head – SVOD, Prime Video, India, also celebrated the achievement, "2024 was a remarkable year for us as we not only launched new series but also brought back new seasons of our super-successful franchises. A testament of that customer love is to see three of our series in the top 5 in the list." These statements highlight the successful blend of new and returning series that captivated audiences throughout the year.

Yaminie Patodia, head of IMDb India, emphasized the significance of these lists in understanding viewer preferences and guiding content creation. "These lists showcase the incredible breadth of Indian storytelling that captivated global audiences this year," she stated. The rankings not only celebrate the year's cinematic and digital triumphs but also offer insights into the evolving tastes of India's diverse audience, setting the stage for future storytelling endeavors.