'RRR,' 'Adipurush,' 'Kalki,' ‘Pushpa 2’: A look at the big-budgeted South Indian films

South Indian cinema has consistently pushed the boundaries of scale, storytelling, and production value, resulting in some of the most expensive films in Indian film history. Backed by massive budgets and ambitious visions, these films reflect the industry’s growing global reach, blending grand visuals, star power, and high-concept narratives across genres. As compiled by News18, here is the list of some of the most expensive South Indian movies.

'Adipurush,' mounted on an estimated budget of around Rs 750 crore, stands among the costliest Indian films ever produced. Headlined by Prabhas, the mythological action drama also featured Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon. Upon its release, the film drew widespread attention, not just for its scale and visual ambition, but also for the debates surrounding its dialogues and character portrayals.

‘Kalki 2898 AD,' reportedly made on a budget of approximately Rs 600 crore, marked another high-scale project led by Prabhas. Released in 2024, the film combined elements of mythology with a futuristic dystopian setting. It went on to gross Rs 1,000 crore globally, positioning itself as one of the biggest commercial successes from the Telugu film industry.

'RRR,' created on a budget of nearly Rs 550 crore, brought together Ram Charan and N. T. Rama Rao Jr. under the direction of S. S. Rajamouli. The period action drama blended large-scale action with emotional storytelling. Its reach expanded further post-release through streaming platforms like Netflix and ZEE5, adding to its global visibility.

'2.0,' made on a budget estimated between Rs 400 crore and Rs 500 crore, served as a standalone sequel to 'Enthiran.' Starring Rajinikanth in multiple roles alongside Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson, the sci-fi action film focused heavily on visual effects and large-scale production, contributing to its position among India’s most expensive films.

‘Pushpa 2: The Rule,' with an estimated cost ranging between Rs 400 crore and Rs 500 crore, continues the story established in ‘Pushpa: The Rise.' Featuring Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna, the film builds on a mass-action narrative style. Its scale, combined with its commercial positioning, places it among the high-budget ventures in recent South Indian cinema.