Ahmedabad – Gujarati cinema has etched a historic entry into the record books with Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate, a devotional drama that has become the first film from Gollywood to cross the ₹100 crore threshold at the global box office. Reaching this landmark after 51 days in cinemas, the film represents a defining moment for regional storytelling and demonstrates the expanding reach of Gujarati cinema on an international scale.
Helmed by first-time director Ankit Sakhiya, Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate (commonly known as Laalo) follows a bereaved father whose spiritual awakening unfolds through divine encounters with Lord Krishna. Featuring Karan Joshi in the central role, the film weaves together heartfelt drama and religious devotion, striking a chord with both family viewers and spiritual audiences. Released on October 10, 2025, the film started with limited fanfare but gradually evolved into a nationwide sensation, propelled by strong audience recommendations that transformed it into an unexpected box office juggernaut.
According to trade analysts, Laalo has accumulated ₹102.24 crore globally, with ₹80 crore net domestically after 50 days, followed by an additional ₹1.65 crore on its 51st day. International territories added roughly ₹5.50 crore, pushing the film past the prestigious ₹100 crore milestone.
This accomplishment surpasses Chaal Jeevi Laiye (2019), which previously held the record with approximately ₹50 crore, and firmly positions Laalo as the highest-earning Gujarati film in history.
The journey to this achievement has been remarkable. Produced on a minimal budget of just ₹50 lakh, the film generated an extraordinary 14,000% return on investment, reshaping perceptions about regional cinema economics. Its initial performance was modest ₹0.40 crore in week one, ₹0.30 crore in week two, and ₹0.75 crore in week three. The momentum shifted dramatically during the fourth week with an exceptional 1,800% jump Friday collections hit ₹0.45 crore, Saturday reached ₹1.20 crore, Sunday soared to ₹2.20 crore, and even Tuesday mid-week earnings climbed to ₹2.75 crore. By its seventh week, the film continued pulling in close to ₹10 crore over weekends despite facing fresh competition.
Karan Joshi expressed his joy on Instagram, stating, “From a small dream to crossing ₹100 crore—Laalo is proof that stories from the heart can touch millions. Jai Jai Garvi Gujarat!” Fans responded enthusiastically, with comments like “Proud moment for every Gujarati” and “Many congratulations to the entire team!”
Industry experts are calling this a transformative chapter for Gollywood, which had barely managed ₹100 crore in combined annual releases just last year. Now, a single production has not only achieved that benchmark but is projected to surpass ₹125 crore domestically, potentially rivaling pan-Indian blockbusters like Pushpa 2 within Gujarat’s theatrical circuit. The consistent audience turnout after 50 days highlights the film’s lasting impact, attracting viewers from multiplexes to standalone theaters throughout the state and among overseas Gujarati communities.
Laalo’s triumph demonstrates how genuine regional stories can resonate powerfully in an industry often dominated by high-budget productions. As director Ankit Sakhiya noted in a recent conversation, “We made this for our people, and they’ve made it immortal.”
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