Cinema shows us our culture, our dreams, and the stories we carry in our hearts. People believed that only Bollywood or South Indian movies could win big at the box office for many years. But Gujarati films have surprised everyone.
Once seen as “small” or “family-only” movies, today Gujrati Films are breaking records, winning awards, and making headlines across India and even the world. These movies are connecting with audiences in a fresh and powerful way, from comedy to emotional dramas.
The rise of Gujarati Films is about courage, creativity, and the spirit of Gujarat. Just like entrepreneurs from this state have built global businesses with their dhandho mindset, filmmakers here are treating cinema like a startup. They take risks, working with passion, and creating magic.
Journey of Gujarati Films
The story of Gujarati Films is like a long road trip filled with ups, downs, and exciting turns. Gujarati cinema began almost a century ago. The first Gujarati talkie, Narsinh Mehta (1932), set the stage by bringing the saint-poet’s life to the screen. Folk tales and literature often inspired films and stage plays in the early decades. It makes them rich in culture but limited in reach.
In the 1960s and 70s, Gujarati cinema had a golden phase, with movies like Gunsundari, Jesal Toral, and Kanku winning hearts. These films carried strong social messages and showcased the essence of Gujarati family life. However, by the 1990s, things started to change. The arrival of big-budget Bollywood films and satellite TV made it hard for Gujarati Films to survive. Many theatres stopped screening regional films, and the industry almost faded.
But every fall has a rise. In the early 2000s, young filmmakers, writers, and actors decided to bring back Gujarati cinema with a fresh vision. They blended modern storytelling with Gujarati values and focused on relatable themes like love, youth, and social change. Movies such as Kevi Rite Jaish (2012) and Bey Yaar (2014) became turning points. They attracted Gujarati audiences but also reached people outside Gujarat.
Abhishek Jain, Filmmaker behind Kevi Rite Jaish, said in an interview:
“The Gujarati film industry is already improving… The audience is watching Gujarati films, and we are already improving as an industry. We need to keep up the good work.”
Box Office Success Stories of Gujarati Films
When people talk about big box office numbers, the first thought often goes to Bollywood or South Indian films. But Gujarati Films have slowly changed this perception by delivering surprise hits in the last decade that covered their budgets ans became huge profit-makers.
As Manasi Parekh herself said in an interview:
“Regional films have more authenticity, and they get more recognition. They have a strong chance of becoming a commercial box office hit.”
Kevi Rite Jaish (2012)
It is often described as the “game-changer.” Kevi Rite Jaish captured the struggles of Gujaratis chasing the American dream. With its urban appeal, fresh cast, and relatable humor, it set the stage for the revival of Gujarati Films in multiplexes.
Bey Yaar (2014)
Bey Yaar is urban story about two friends and an art scam was a cultural breakthrough. It ran for nearly a year in theatres and convinced audiences that Gujarati Films could be modern, emotional, and entertaining without losing Gujarati identity.
Shu Thayu? (2018)
Shu Thayu? urban comedy earned over ₹21 crore at the box office. It was proof that lighthearted stories with witty dialogues could draw large crowds, especially among youngsters who had earlier drifted away from Gujarati cinema.
Chaal Jeevi Laiye! (2019)
This father-son road trip drama became the highest-grossing film in Gujarati history with over ₹52 crore in earnings. Its emotional journey made people laugh, cry, and celebrate their families. Even today, Chaal Jeevi Laiye! is remembered as a turning point in the commercial success of Gujarati Films.
Hellaro (2019)
Hellaro combined the power of parallel cinema with mainstream appeal. Winning the National Award for Best Feature Film, it also pulled in around ₹16 crore at the box office, proving that artistic films can also be commercial winners.
Kehvatlal Parivar (2022)
This family drama drew in audiences across generations, collecting between ₹17–19.5 crore. Kehvatlal Parivar enjoyed a “silver jubilee” theatrical run, showing that Gujarati families love watching clean entertainment together.
Fakt Mahilao Maate (2022)
This bold comedy focusing on women’s lives earned over ₹12.6 crore. Fakt Mahilao Maate was an important step for Gujarati Films, proving that gender-centric stories could also achieve commercial success.
Chhello Show (2022)
Internationally known as The Last Film Show, this movie became India’s official Oscar entry. Its story of a boy’s love for cinema touched global audiences, cementing Gujarati Films as serious contenders in world cinema.
3 Ekka (2023)
3 Ekka is about three friends struck gold at the box office, earning ₹25 crore in just 20 days and ending with around ₹23–26 crore lifetime. It proved that the post-pandemic audience was ready to return to theatres for Gujarati Films.
Jhamkudi (2024)
Jhamkudi is a horror-comedy starring Viraj Ghelani and Manasi Parekh thrilled young audiences. With lifetime collections close to ₹25 crore, it broke genre barriers and showed that Gujarati Films can experiment and still succeed.
Why Are Gujrati Films Rising Now?
The growth of Gujrati Films is not accidental. It reflects a combination of cultural pride, business acumen, and modern distribution strategies.
Audiences were tired of stereotypical village dramas. Films like Wrong Side Raju and Bey Yaar introduced urban stories with a distinctly Gujarati flavour, friendship, corruption, startups, and diaspora struggles.
Earlier, Gujarati films were restricted to single screens. Today, they are released across India and even in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, where the Gujarati diaspora ensures packed houses.
Gujarati movies now enjoy longer lifespans and global visibility with platforms like ShemarooMe and Amazon Prime. OTT is giving films like Chhello Show a second life.
As audiences embraced their roots, watching a Gujarati movie became an act of cultural pride. College students and young professionals now proudly book tickets for Gujarati films, just as they would for a Bollywood release.
The journey of Gujarati Films is the perfect blend of culture and commerce. From struggling for survival to becoming Oscar contenders and box office giants, the industry has proven that dreams backed by determination always win.
Just as Gujpreneur celebrates the achievements of Gujarati businesses, the world is now celebrating the rise of Gujrati Films.
Stay connected with Gujpreneur for more inspiration and updates from the world of entrepreneurs!
