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The post-COVID era has completely changed box office dynamics, with audiences’ tastes shifting drastically. Genres that used to work big time before the pandemic are no longer attracting the same footfall. Amid this change, films rooted in mythology and devotional themes have seen a surprising surge in box-office potential. The latest example is Hanuman Ansh, which is enjoying a strong run and is now on track to enter the 100 crore net club.
Mythology and devotional films gain momentum in 2022
Films rooted in mythology and devotional themes have always had an audience, but their box office potential has surged significantly in the post-COVID era. The first major success was Karthikeya 2, which emerged as a surprise blockbuster in 2022 by earning 86.75 crore net at the Indian box office. In the same year, Kantara emerged as a historic success from Sandalwood. While not strictly devotional, it carried strong elements of it. It earned a massive 309.64 crore net.
Hanu-Man, Mahavatar Narsimha, and Kantara: Chapter 1 drive the momentum
In 2023, though Adipurush emerged as a disaster due to negative word-of-mouth, it still amassed 288.15 crore net, underscoring audience interest in the genre. In 2024, Hanu-Man surprised everyone by scoring 201.91 crore net. In 2025, Mahavatar Narsimha enjoyed a breakout success. Made on a low cost of 15 crore, it went on to garner 247.96 crore net. In the same year, Kantara: Chapter 1 raised the bar further by scoring a huge 622.48 crore net and emerging as an epic blockbuster.
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Hanuman Ansh proves budget is not a barrier
In 2026, the trend still continues. In fact, it has only grown stronger as the film with zero marketing, Hanuman Ansh, has managed to find its audience purely through strong word-of-mouth. With word-of-mouth spreading like wildfire, the film is rewriting record books in its fourth week. Made on a shoestring budget of just 1.8 crore, it has earned 54.13 crore net, and no one can really predict how far it’ll go.
Given such audience interest, it could be said that, no matter the budget, mythological and devotional films can deliver huge returns at the Indian box office, provided they are made with conviction and presented in an engaging manner. In the coming months, we’re likely to see the true potential of these genres unfold.
Ramayana and Mahakali to push the envelope further
During this Diwali, Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash’s Ramayana is releasing in theaters, and the hype is already strong. Mounted on a huge scale, there’s curiosity about how the makers will bring the Indian epic to life on the big screen. While opening day records are already in danger, the magnum opus could change the landscape of the Indian box office in the long run if the content resonates with audiences.
After Ramayana, Mahakali is set to hit theaters in 2027. It is helmed by Prasanth Verma, who is coming off the blockbuster success of Hanu-Man. He has already proved his mettle in the mythological space, and this time, he has Akshaye Khanna in his film, adding further weight to the project. If the film strikes the right chord, the biggie has the potential to leave a massive impact at the pan-India box office
All things considered, the wave of mythological and devotional films is clearly gaining momentum, and the coming months could witness even bigger box office explosions.
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