Highest grossing Kannada movies of all time (Industry hit wise and Inflation adjusted)
Kannada movie industry has the least transparency when it comes to box office collections. There are no official trackers unlike Hollywood or Bollywood. Tamil and Telugu industries have at least distributors giving out collections though they are usually inflated figures.
I have distributors in my family who have distributed Kannada movies since 1970s and they keep a log book of all collections including of that other movies as it helps them in negotiating for upcoming movies. According to them, here are the official collections as per industry insiders:
NOTE: Adjusted inflation figure is based on RBI inflation figures. The actual inflation adjusted numbers can vary by 0% - 15%
(https://scripbox.com/plan/inflation-calculator)
List activity
3.6K views
• 4 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
28 titles
- DirectorY.V. RaoStarsM.V. Subbaiah NaiduLakshmibaiTripurambaA Ramayana mythological told from the viewpoint of Sulochana, daughter-in-law of the villain Ravana. Her husband Indrajit, son of Ravan wounds Lakshman. Lakshamana is revived by the Sanjivani Mani brought by Hanuman. Indrajit is eventually killed by Rama leaving Sulochana a widow. It depicts spectacular war sequences and was the first major Kannada film.Collection: INR 1 - 1.5 lakh gross.
Budget: INR 40,000
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 30 crores
The film was released on 3 March 1934 and is the first talkie film in Kannada language.
It ran houseful for six weeks in Bangalore. However, not many theatres used to screen Kannada movies in 1930s-40s. The movie had only three running prints and one reserve print and ran mainly in Bangalore and Mysore.
The film was first released at the Paramount theatre at Kalasipalya in Bengaluru on 1934, March 3. The movie remained the first choice for Kannada movie enthusiasts till 1943 when Satya Harishchandra became a craze.
Unfortunately, the complete print of the movie is no longer available. Few scenes are available with some movie enthusiasts and archive departments. Kindly note that there are multiple movies of the same name available on Youtube and elsewhere but the Kannada movie of 1934 is no more available. - DirectorRaja ChandrasekharStarsKalyana KumarB. JayammaGubbi VeerannaSadarame, a brave woman dares all the challenges she faces in life and a prince who admires her for her bravery falls in love with herCollection: INR 2 lakhs gross.
Budget: INR 50,000
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 30 crores - DirectorH.L.N. SimhaStarsB. Ramakrishnaiah PanthuluM.V. RajammaDikki Madhava RaoMelodrama adapted from a successful play. It introduces the theatre group's emphasis on reformist realism into Kannada cinema. Hero Sundhar (Panthulu) marries Sarala against the wishes of his grandfather and is disowned by his family. His troubles, which include harsh treatment by his in-laws and the loss of his job, climax when he is accused of having murdered Sushila, the woman his grandfather originally wanted him to marry.Collection: INR 4 lakhs gross.
Budget: INR 40,000
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 35 crores - DirectorR. Nagendra RaoStarsM.V. Subbaiah NaiduLakshmibaiMakeup SubbannaThe story of a king named Harishchandra who is also known as ' Satya Harishchandra 'Collection: INR 8 lakhs gross.
Budget: INR 60,000
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 55 crores
This movie was the first Blockbuster Kannada movie in terms of Box office collection. This movie is now forgotten among movie aficionados. In fact, many people still think that there is only one Satya Harishchandra movie in Kannada - Dr.Rajkumar starrer Satya Harishchandra in 1965. But the 1943 released movie was much bigger hit in terms of the craze. This movie ran for months in Dharwad, Belgaum and Satara when there was hardly a market for Kannada movies. The movie was regularly shown in Fairs till early 1950s. This movie was also dubbed into Tamil and became the first Kannada movie to be dubbed.
The lead actor Subbaiah Naidu got finally recognized as a the first STAR to be born out of KFI. - DirectorG. VishwanathanStarsPratima DeviM. JayashreeBellary RathnamalaCollection: INR 10 lakhs gross.
Budget: INR 1 lakh
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 30 crores - DirectorShanker D. SinghStarsPratima DeviHariniM. JayashreeA seductress falls in love with a prince and tries to steal him from his fiancee.Collection: INR 25 lakhs gross.
Budget: INR 3 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 45 crores
All time Blockbuster Kannada movie. The craze of the movie was such that many businessman started building theatres all over Karnataka. The movie ran into many issues including censorship and protests but the box office collections continued to shine. - DirectorH.L.N. SimhaStarsRajkumarPandari BaiG.V. IyerA hunter tries to prove his extreme devotion to Lord Shiva by removing both of his eyes.Collection: INR 50 lakhs gross. (Repeat runs: another 20 lakhs in 1970s-80s)
Budget: INR 5 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 60 crores
Finally, it needed Dr. Rajkumar to break the record of Jagan Mohini. This movie needs no introduction. This movie made Dr.Rajkumar an overnight star.
If Jagan Mohini led to opening of many Kannada theatres then Bedara Kannappa led many English movie screening theatres to start screening Kannada movies. It won't be wrong to say that Kannada movies industry finally cemented its place through Bedara Kannappa.
After Bedara Kannappa, the number of Kannada movies getting released increased manifold. - DirectorK. ShankarStarsRajkumarKalyana KumarK.S. AshwathRavana, the king of Lanka gets tricked by various people in the process of attaining ' Athmalinga ' from Shiva.Collection: INR 80 lakhs gross.
Budget: INR 15 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 58 crores - DirectorHunsur KrishnamurthyStarsRajkumarUdaya KumarT.R. NarasimharajuThe life story of the king Harishchandra who is also known as ' Satya Harishchandra 'Collection: INR 1 crore
Budget: INR 20 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 65 crores
First 1 crore movie in Kannada movie industry. - DirectorS.K. BhagavanB. Dorai RajStarsRajkumarT.R. NarasimharajuT.N. BalakrishnaThe story of an extremely generous and righteous man, Ravi Varma, who succumbs to his intention of being generous no matter what happens.Collection: INR 2 crore gross
Budget: INR 30 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 90 crores - DirectorSiddalingaiahStarsRajkumarBharathiLoknathRajeeva comes to the village to visit his sister only to find that she's in financial trouble and has lost her husband. He decides to stay and help her out.Collection: INR 3 crore gross
Budget: INR 40 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 123 crores
A cult movie. The movie had never seen before craze. This movie gave the demigod status to Dr. Rajkumar. It ran for 2 years in few theatres. It is the biggest movie ever of KFI in terms of footfalls. - DirectorVijayStarsRajkumarVajramuniK.S. AshwathThe movie presents the story of a saintly boy who realises his royal connections and his return to his rightful placeCollection: INR 3.5 crore gross
Budget: INR 50 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 90 crores
Costliest Kannada movie till 1975 and was considered to be doomed before release. However, it made huge returns on box office. The movie became a milestone and expanded Kannada movie markets. The Telugu Blockbuster Bahubali has been inspired from the storyline of Mayura. - DirectorHunsur KrishnamurthyStarsRajkumarJaymala AdarshSaroja Devi B.Tells the story of Babruvahana, son of Arjuna and the events that eventually lead to a battle between them.Collection: INR 4 crores gross
Budget: INR 65 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 105 crores
Another cult movie from Dr. Rajkumar - DirectorVijayStarsRajkumarJaya PradaT.N. BalakrishnaAppanna, a musician, falls in love with a dancer, Basanti. But when Basanti dies, things changes a lot for Appanna.Collection: INR 4 crores gross
Budget: INR 50 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 105 crores - DirectorV. SomasekharStarsRajkumarT.N. BalakrishnaJayakumarThe plot is about 2 separated brothers and their adventures to save their family from their father's vicious friends.Collection: INR 4.5 crores gross
Budget: INR 50 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 109 crores - DirectorRenuka SharmaStarsRajkumarSrinivasa MurthyJaya PradaSanskrit and upper-caste poet, Kalidas, faces many challenges after falling in love with a low-caste woman, and being entered into a competition against a learned princess.Collection: INR 5.5 crores gross
Budget: INR 80 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 90 crores - DirectorV. RavichandranStarsV. RavichandranJuhi ChawlaVishnuvardhanRavichandran tries to woo a classmate. On being spurned, he poses as a mysterious biker and sweeps her off her feet.Collection: INR 6 crores gross
Budget: INR 75 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 71 crores - DirectorS.K. BhagavanB. Dorai RajStarsRajkumarMadhaviPandari BaiA young man who belongs to a forward class, falls in love with a backward class girl.Collection: INR 7 crores gross
Budget: INR 80 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 52 crores
This movie although starring the biggest superstar was not expected to be a big hit before release.
However, it turned out to be a big family Blockbuster. - DirectorUpendraStarsShivarajkumarPremaSadhu KokilaSatya, the son of a pious priest, turns into a rowdy and enters the underworld for the sake of love.Collection: INR 14 crores gross (including multiple repeat runs)
Budget: INR 1.5 crore
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 80 crores - DirectorT.S. NagabharanaStarsShivarajkumarChippyMysuru AnandA lovelorn village boy and girl cross all barriers of caste and tradition to unite in a meaningful manner.Collection: INR 15 crores gross
Budget: INR 1 crore
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 77 crores - DirectorGurukiranR RaghunathRajaramStarsUpendraChandniArchanaAn unusual love story between a film director and an actress narrated through multiple flashbacks within flashbacks and reverse screenplay. The film deals with the dark truths of cinema like the casting couch.Collection: INR 15 crores gross (including Telugu - 1.5 crore)
Budget: INR 75 lakhs
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 66 crores - DirectorRadha BharathiSheshadriStarsVishnuvardhanPremaShashikumarStory of a family of four brothers. A modern day take on the classic Ramayana.Collection: INR 20 crores gross
Budget: INR 2 crore
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 75 crores - DirectorP. VasuStarsVishnuvardhanSoundaryaRamesh AravindRamesh and Ganga, a married couple, buy a palatial house, which is home to a vengeful spirit. When Ganga accidentally sets the spirit free, mysterious incidents start taking place in their household.Collection: INR 20 crores gross
Budget: INR 3 crores
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 63 crores - DirectorPremStarsShivarajkumarNeenasam AshwathRamesh BhatAn innocent village guy goes to city to be a responsible individual to take care of his mother after his fathers death , after an incident he becomes one of the most wanted criminals in Bangalore city.Collection: INR 24 crores gross
Budget: INR 3 crores
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 74 crores
Another cult movie which was a big hit among the masses. - DirectorYograj BhatStarsGaneshPooja GandhiAnant NagPreetam falls in love at first sight with Nandini. The sweet romance set in the monsoons, boosted by too good songs and music.Collection: INR 45 crores gross (only India)
Budget: INR 85 lakhs
A cult classic now is the biggest movie of KFI in terms of adjusted inflation.
The movie was also the first multiplex blockbuster of KFI. This was the first Indian film which ran over a year in a multiplex: PVR cinemas Bangalore.
The movie also did well overseas.
Producer E Krishnappa and distributor Jayanna were raided by the Income Tax department multiple times. The department alleged that the film had collected INR67 crore and demanded tax for that amount. The producer never disclosed the exact amount but industry insiders called it to be first 50 crore earner including its music and TV rights.
It was such a big hit that it took EIGHT years for another movie to touch its record (Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari). And another three years to break its record (Raajkumara).
Inflation Adjusted Collection in 2021: INR 132 crores