RFT Films 2025 Annual Report: A Year of Global Cinematic Triumphs
LONDON / MANCHESTER – As 2025 draws to a close, RFT Films, under the visionary leadership of Ronald Thondickal, has cemented its status as the premier bridge between South Asian cinema and the global audience. Managing an unprecedented slate of 32 releases across 60+ countries, RFT Films has redefined the overseas box office landscape for Indian regional cinema.
The “Empuraan” Phenomenon: Breaking the 100-Crore Barrier
The crown jewel of 2025 was undoubtedly L2: Empuraan. Distributed by RFT Films across the UK, Europe, and major international territories, the film made history as the first Malayalam film to cross ₹100 Crores (over $12M USD) in overseas gross within just four days of its March release.
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Total Overseas Gross: ~₹135 Crore ($16.2M USD)
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Theatrical Run: 50+ Days across major UK/Europe chains (ODEON, Vue, Showcase).
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Benchmark: Surpassed the lifetime overseas earnings of legendary blockbusters like KGF Chapter 1 and Manjummel Boys in record time.
2025 Box Office Breakdown: Key Releases
RFT Films managed a diverse portfolio, from high-octane thrillers to beloved classic re-releases.
| Film Title | Type | Key Performance Metric | Overseas Run |
| L2: Empuraan | Action/Political | ₹135 Cr+ (Highest Malayalam Overseas) | 8 Weeks |
| Bha Bha Ba | Action-Comedy | £157,430 (Opening Weekend UK) | 4 Weeks |
| Vilayath Budha | Thriller | Strong European Footprint; Top 5 Regional | 5 Weeks |
| Pravinkoodu Shappu | Mystery | ₹8.36 Cr Global; Steady Overseas Holding | 3 Weeks |
| Kalamkaval | Crime Thriller | Mammootty’s biggest 2025 UK opening | 4 Weeks |
| Lucifer (Re-release) | Classic | High 4K Digital Restoration attendance | 2 Weeks |
| Identity | Thriller | Multi-language release (Malayalam/Tamil) | 4 Weeks |
The “Golden Classics” Revival
Ronald Thondickal identified a massive demand for nostalgia, leading to a highly successful series of 4K re-releases. Classics like Lucifer, Ravanaprabhu, Chotta Mumbai, and Oru Vadakkan Veeregatha saw sold-out shows in London, Birmingham, and Manchester, proving that great storytelling is timeless.
Strategic Leadership: The Ronald Thondickal Factor
The 2025 success is largely attributed to Ronald Thondickal’s aggressive expansion strategy. By securing 600+ screens worldwide for major releases, he has transformed how regional Indian films are premiered overseas.
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Direct Engagement: Under Ronald’s direction, RFT utilized a specialized UK-based WhatsApp portal and Instagram community to drive advance bookings, often resulting in 80% occupancy before opening day.
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Market Expansion: This year, Ronald successfully pushed RFT’s reach into emerging markets including Mexico, Poland, and Austria, territories previously untapped by Malayalam cinema.
Full 2025 Release Catalog
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Top Tier: L2: Empuraan, Bha Bha Ba, Vilayath Budha, Identity, Daveed, Get Set Baby.
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Cultural Staples: Hridayapoorvam, Maharani, Pravinkoodu Shappu, Sahasam, JSK.
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Indie & Thriller: Kalamkaval, Innocent, Pet Detective, Balti, Karam, Sumathi Valavu, Apoorva Puthranmar, Dheeran, Vyasanasametham Bandhumithradhikal, Moonwalk, Azadi, Padakkalam, Sarkeet, Thudarum, Machante Malakha, Officer On Duty, Oru Jaathi Jaathakam, Ponman, Rekhachithram.
