How a small Gujarati film became the biggest profit-maker of 2025

At a time when Indian cinema in 2025 was dominated by big-budget, star-driven films, a small Gujarati movie quietly achieved what many large productions could not. ‘Laalo-Krishna Sada Sahayate’, made without big stars, hype or heavy promotion, emerged as the most profitable film of the year.

Unlike mainstream releases, ‘Laalo’ featured no celebrity actors, no star kids, no item songs and no large-scale action sequences. The film also did not rely on aggressive marketing or nationwide promotional tours. Instead, it reached audiences primarily through word of mouth and by its own potential.

This unusual approach worked in its favour. Viewers who watched the film recommended it to others, helping it sustain long theatrical runs, especially in Gujarat and neighbouring regions.

Modest budget, historic earnings

The film was made on a budget of just ₹50 lakh. Despite this, it went on to earn an estimated ₹120 crore at the box office, making it the highest-grossing Gujarati film to date. With a profit margin of around 24,000%, it has set a new benchmark in Indian cinema to run big budget films like Dhurandar, Kantara, Saiyara and many others who might get bigger numbers, but not the historic scale of profit margin.

A contrast with big-budget films

The success of Laalo–Krishna Sada Sahayate stands in sharp contrast to films like Dhurandhar and many more, which were made by large budgets, star power and extensive promotions. While such films earned significant revenue, their profit ratios remain far lower due to high production and marketing costs. Industry observers note that a film like Dhurandhar would need to earn nearly ₹30,000 crore to match the profit percentage achieved by Laalo.

A simple story that connected with audiences

Directed by Ankit Sakhiya, the film tells the story of a rickshaw driver who gets trapped in a farmhouse and is forced to confront his past fears and regrets. During this emotional journey, he experiences a divine vision of Lord Krishna, which changes his outlook on life.

The narrative is straightforward and grounded, focusing on emotion and faith rather than drama. This simplicity helped the film connect strongly with family audiences and devotees.

A lesson for the entertainment industry

Produced by  Manasi Parekh and Parthiv Gohil, the film’s journey highlights a growing trend in Indian cinema audiences are increasingly open to content driven films, even without big names. 

In a year filled with blockbuster releases, this modest Gujarati film has shown that sometimes, quiet cinema can make the loudest impact.