Movies
Regional films fared better in ’16 in terms of online booking
NEW DELHI: Regional films did exceptionally well at the box office in 2016 and Malayalam cinema particularly a major rise, if one is to go by online bookings for tickets.
Online movie ticketing for Malayalam cinema showed over 80 per cent growth as compared to in 2015, according to tickets sold by online entertainment ticketing brand BookMyShow.
However, the Rajinikanth starrer Kabali (Tamil) was the only regional film that made it to BookMyShow’s Top 10. The Shahrukh Khan starrer Fan was ranked 14th
While Kabali (Telugu) was the most sold regional film, Natsamrat (Marathi) was the top rated
Thus, regional and even Hollywood films did well during 2016 apart from Bollywood, according to the ticketing brand.
This was directly mirrored through millions of ratings and reviews that BookMyShow received on its platform this year.
While Sunday remains the best day of the week to watch a film and Friday to Sunday are the preferred days by cinegoers, 2016 threw up a surprise when Monday proved to be the fourth most popular film-watching day in comparison to 2015 when Thursday had reserved this honour.
Viewers generally preferred a 7:00 pm show on any given day of the week but the most perfect day and time combination for movie watching was Saturday at 10:00 pm.
Only four Hindi and English films rated in the top 10, while al the other spots were grabbed by regional films
The trailer of Sultan was most rated on BookMyShow, followed by M S Dhoni- The Untold Story
This year, BookMyShow also compiled a list of its favourites in four categories:
Cult- Among others, a movie that left a long lasting impression on BookMyShow and the editor was Miss Peregrines’s Home for Peculiar Children; Debutants as 2016 saw some noteworthy performances by new talent such as Waluscha De Sousa in Fan opposite Shahrukh Khan and Harshvardhan Kapoor in Mirzya; Dialogue- Movie buffs came across quite a few memorable dialogues this year. One of them definitely was Aishwarya Rai’s “Main kisi ki zaroorat nahi, khwaish ban-na chahti hoon” from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil; and Movers and Shakers – Among the ones who definitely made a huge impact to the films was definitely Dwayne Johnson who made the headlines all year long in 2016 for his act in Moana.
BookMyShow Co-founder & Director Parikshit Dar said, “As we near the end of 2016, we decided to revisit their truly incredible 2016 journey with us and summarize their year at the movies. Our objective has always been to enrich the user experience by smartly using technology, while enhancing content discovery on BookMyShow. In this regard, our comprehensive reviews and ratings platform, which has also established itself as an industry yardstick to evaluate a film’s popularity, has played an instrumental role in further assisting viewers in making informed decisions while transacting on BookMyShow. The year 2017 already looks promising with some great line content already lined up and we are excited to embark upon the New Year with our users.”
Detailed results:
Movies
Tamil film Made in Korea tops Netflix global chart, storms 24 countries
Cross-cultural drama races to No.1, marking a global breakthrough for South Indian cinema
MUMBAI: A Tamil tale has gone global at speed. Netflix’s Made in Korea has shot to No.1 on its Global Top 10 Non-English Films list, trending across 24 countries within days of release.
Premiering on March 12, the film, directed by Ra.Karthik and starring Priyanka Mohan, is the only South Indian title to claim the top spot across both licensed and Netflix original films, underlining the growing global pull of regional Indian cinema.
The story, which follows Shenba’s journey from Tamil Nadu to Seoul, has struck a chord for its emotional warmth, scenic visuals and cross-cultural appeal. Early word-of-mouth has powered its rapid climb, turning a modest release into a global talking point.
Monika Shergill, vice-president, content, Netflix India, said, “We are proud that a story like Made in Korea has become the first ever film from our south slate to land at the No.1 spot on our Global Top 10 Non-English Films list. It reaffirms our belief that there is so much more from India for the world to discover and embrace. This film stands out for blending two distinct cultures into one powerful story that explores universal emotions of love, friendship, belonging and family. At Netflix, we remain committed to championing authentic, locally rooted stories and it’s incredibly exciting to see a film like this travel so widely and connect with audiences around the world.”
Priyanka Mohan called the moment deeply personal. “Moments like these are what every artist truly hopes for. We always strive to give our best, but some films become very special in our journey as performers, and Made in Korea is one of them for me. Shenba is a character that touched my heart from the moment I read the script, and bringing her story to life has been incredibly meaningful. Working with Ra.Karthik sir was a wonderful experience. He has such clarity and sincerity in the way he tells stories. I’m also grateful to our producer Sreenidhi Sagar sir and the entire team for their constant support. And of course, my heartfelt thanks to Netflix for giving this story such a wonderful platform and helping it reach audiences everywhere.”
Ra.Karthik struck a similar note. “There are certain films you make with complete faith in the audience, believing they will connect with the emotions you are trying to convey. It is truly heartening to see Made in Korea trending on Netflix and receiving such encouraging responses from viewers, not just in India but across the world. Priyanka Mohan brought incredible dedication and sincerity to Shenba’s character, and that commitment reflects beautifully on screen. I’m grateful to producer Sreenidhi Sagar for trusting this story and to Netflix for providing such a wonderful platform for the film to reach audiences across countries.”
As the film continues to travel across borders, its success signals more than just a hit. It marks a shift, where local stories, told with authenticity, are no longer confined by language or geography. In the streaming wars, the South is not just rising. It is rewriting the script.
