Diwali 2025 Movie Releases: Your Ultimate Festive Film Guide!

This Diwali, get ready for a packed movie slate with a fantastic mix of Telugu originals and exciting dubbed films hitting screens. We’ve got all the details you need to plan your festive movie marathon!

TL;DR: The Diwali 2025 Cinematic Countdown

• Diwali 2025 is bringing a massive movie clash with six main films — three straight Telugu originals and three major dubbed releases.
• You’ll find something for everyone: from romantic comedies and intense action dramas to epic fantasy and horror-comedy, perfect for family viewing or a night out with friends.
• Rising stars like Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Kiran Abbavaram, Pradeep Ranganathan, and Dhruv Vikram are eyeing big festive hits, alongside stalwarts like Mohanlal and Ravi Teja later in the season.

Diwali, the festival of lights, has always been synonymous with dazzling new movie releases, and 2025 is absolutely no exception! If anything, this year looks set to be one of the most crowded and competitive festive seasons in recent memory for the Telugu box office. Remember last year when KA, Lucky Baskhar, and the dubbed Amaran all did well? This year, we're talking about six major releases jostling for your attention during the core Diwali week, plus some huge festival treats dropping a little later!

We've done the digging, gathered all the buzz, and here's your comprehensive guide to what's hitting the big screens. Get your popcorn ready because the cinematic fireworks are about to begin!

The Star-Studded Lineup: Who's Releasing When This Diwali 2025?

Okay, let's break down the main contenders hitting theaters during the heart of the Diwali festivities, from October 16th to October 21st. It’s a mix of exciting homegrown Telugu talent and big-budget films from other languages making their way to Telugu audiences.

Telugu Originals Aiming for Festive Box Office Glory

This year, three medium-scale Telugu films are banking on strong word-of-mouth to make a mark amidst the heavy competition. It's a crucial time for their lead actors to prove their mettle!

• Mithra Mandali (October 16): Kicking off the Diwali race, Mithra Mandali is a comic entertainer backed by young producer Bunny Vas, fresh off the success of Little Hearts. It stars Priyadarshi, Niharika NM, Prasad Behara, Rag Mayur, and Vishnu OI. Expect plenty of laughs with this one!
• Telusu Kada (October 17): Siddhu Jonnalagadda takes center stage in this romantic drama, directed by debutant Neeraja Kona. He's joined by two glam leads, Raashii Khanna and Srinidhi Shetty. The film, backed by the big banner People Media Factory, features music by Thaman. For Siddhu, whose last film Jack was a "disaster," this is a make-or-break opportunity to prove his solo star power. The story promises a humorous and emotional love triangle, exploring polyamory in a light-hearted way.
• K Ramp (October 18): Kiran Abbavaram leads this action romance drama, directed by Jains Nani and co-starring Yukti Thareja. Produced by Hasya Movies, K Ramp is said to be a hilarious entertainer with "double-meaning dialogues and kiss scenes" aimed at the youth, generating decent buzz. Kiran, who briefly bounced back with Ka but then faced a setback with Dilruba, needs to convert this buzz into solid box office openings. The plot involves an athlete overcoming personal and emotional challenges to win his love interest. Notable actors like Vennela Kishore and Sai Kumar are also part of the cast.

Big-Ticket Dubbed Films Lighting Up Telugu Screens This Diwali

The competition isn't just from within Tollywood. Three major dubbed films, primarily from Tamil and Hindi, are making their presence felt, hoping to capture the festive mood of Telugu audiences.

• Dude (October 17): Tamil actor Pradeep Ranganathan, who already has a solid fan base in Telugu thanks to hits like Love Today and Dragon, is testing his luck with Dude. This romantic action comedy is directed by debutant Keerthiswaran and features Mamitha Baiju and Sarathkumar in key roles. Produced by the formidable Mythri Movie Makers, Dude will release in both Telugu and Tamil. It's certified U/A and clocks in at 139 minutes (2 hours and 19 minutes). Pradeep needs strong day-one numbers to solidify his cross-language appeal.
• Bison (Kaalamaadan) (October 17): Dhruv Vikram, son of the acclaimed actor Chiyan Vikram, stars in this sports drama directed by the talented Mari Selvaraj. Dhruv portrays a kabaddi player from a rural background, co-starring Anupama Parameswaran, Lal, Pasupathy, and Rajisha Vijayan. Co-produced by Pa Ranjith, the film features music by Nivas K Prasanna. While it will have a limited release in Telugu, it’s a pan-Indian project aiming for impact. Bison is also U/A certified but has a longer runtime of 168 minutes (2 hours and 48 minutes).
• Thamma (October 21): Get ready for some horror-comedy fun! Thamma is a new entry into the popular Maddock horror-comedy universe, which gave us hits like Stree and Stree 2. This marks the first time a film from this franchise is getting a wide Telugu release, largely thanks to the presence of our very own National Crush, Rashmika Mandanna! The film boasts a stellar cast including Ayushmann Khurrana, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Paresh Rawal, and is directed by Aditya Sarpotdar. It will hit theaters simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi.

Beyond the Core Diwali Week: More Festive Treats on the Horizon

While the main Diwali releases are clustered from October 16-21, the festive season often extends, bringing a few more big-ticket films a little later. Two massive Telugu releases are slated for October 31st, extending your movie-watching celebrations!

• Vrusshabha (October 16 - tentative): Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is making a grand comeback in the period drama genre with this pan-Indian project. Directed and written by Nanda Kishore, Vrusshabha is shot simultaneously in Malayalam and Telugu, with dubbed versions in Hindi and Kannada. Mohanlal plays a powerful king, facing betrayal and warfare. The film explores a father-son rivalry spanning two lifetimes. Cast includes Samarjit Lankesh, Ragini Dwivedi, and Neha Saxena, with music by Sam C. S. and sound design by Resul Pookutty. Its release is perfectly timed with Diwali, promising epic storytelling.
• Baahubali: The Epic (October 31): If you thought you'd seen it all from the world of Mahishmati, think again! To celebrate 10 years of SS Rajamouli's cinematic revolution, the makers are releasing Baahubali: The Epic. This is a re-edited and remastered single-film version combining the two blockbuster parts, Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. Featuring unseen footage and technical enhancements, this promises a grander experience for fans of Prabhas (Amarendra and Mahendra Baahubali), Rana Daggubati (Bhallaladeva), Anushka Shetty (Devasena), Tamannaah Bhatia, Sathyaraj, Ramya Krishnan, and Nassar.
• Mass Jathara (October 31): Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja returns after almost a year with this action drama, directed by Bhanu Bhogavarapu. He plays a stylish Railway Police officer clashing with dangerous criminal gangs and unethical politicians. Sreeleela reunites with Teja after their superhit Dhamaka, making fans eagerly await their chemistry. The film, which was initially scheduled for August, was postponed due to industry-wide strikes and post-production delays. Music is by Bheems Ceciroleo.

The Unstoppable Force: Kantara: Chapter 1 Still Dominating!

While all these new films are gearing up, let’s not forget the powerhouse that is Kantara: Chapter 1. Having released last week, Rishab Shetty's epic is still holding incredibly well at the box office and will undoubtedly compete for screens with the new Diwali releases.

Its performance has been phenomenal, nearing ₹600 crore worldwide and crossing the ₹500 crore mark in India. Overseas, it topped USD 10 million, and even its Hindi dubbed version added ₹35 crore to its tally in just its second weekend. Talk about strong competition!

What This Diwali 2025 Movie Rush Means for You, the Viewer!

This packed Diwali schedule is fantastic news for movie lovers! Here’s why it matters:

• Variety Galore: Whether you're in the mood for a heartwarming romantic comedy, an adrenaline-pumping action flick, a thought-provoking sports drama, or a spine-tingling horror-comedy, this Diwali has you covered. There’s a film for every taste and every mood.
• Rise of the Young Guns: It’s an exciting time to watch emerging stars like Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Kiran Abbavaram, Pradeep Ranganathan, and Dhruv Vikram. This festive window is a crucial test for them to solidify their standing and prove their box office pull without the presence of mega-superstars (at least in Tamil cinema, the focus is on young talent for Dude, Bison, Diesel).
• Festive Family Fun: With many films carrying a 'U/A' rating (meaning parental guidance for children under 12), much of the content is expected to be engaging for a broad family audience, balancing "family-friendly" moments with some "fiery" elements.
• Extended Celebrations: With some major films like Baahubali: The Epic and Mass Jathara hitting screens later in October, your festive movie binge doesn't have to end with Diwali week!

So, clear your schedules, gather your loved ones, and prepare for an unforgettable Diwali at the cinemas. Which film are you most excited to watch?

Frequently Asked Questions About Diwali 2025 Movie Releases

What are the main release dates for Diwali 2025 movies?

The core Diwali 2025 movie release window is between October 16th and October 21st. Key dates include:

• October 16: Mithra Mandali, Vrusshabha
• October 17: Telusu Kada, Dude (Dubbed), Bison (Dubbed)
• October 18: K Ramp
• October 21: Thamma (Dubbed)

Additionally, Baahubali: The Epic and Mass Jathara are scheduled for October 31st, extending the festive season releases.

Which Diwali films have a U/A rating for family viewing?

Based on the available information, the dubbed films Dude and Bison have received a 'U/A' censorship certificate, indicating they are suitable for all ages but with parental guidance for children under 12. Information for other films' specific ratings wasn't provided in the context, but many festive releases aim for a broader audience.

Are there any big star films releasing this Diwali?

For the core Diwali week, the focus is more on rising stars like Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Kiran Abbavaram, Pradeep Ranganathan, and Dhruv Vikram. However, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal stars in Vrusshabha (Oct 16), and later in the festive season, Ravi Teja's Mass Jathara (Oct 31) and the iconic Prabhas in Baahubali: The Epic (Oct 31) are major highlights.

Will these Diwali films be available on OTT soon after release?

The provided context only mentions theatrical release dates for all these films. Details regarding their streaming platforms or OTT release dates are not available at this time. Typically, films have an exclusive theatrical window before moving to digital platforms.

Sources

• This Diwali Gets Crowded with Dubbed Releases! by Satya B (Published Oct 8, 2025)
• Deepavali Will Be Crucial For Siddhu, Kiran, And Pradeep by Kumar (Published Oct 12, 2025)
• Top Telugu films releasing this Diwali: 'Baahubali: The Epic', 'Mass Jathara', 'Vrusshabha' by ETimes.in (Updated Oct 7, 2025)
• New-age Stars Set to Light Up Tamil Deepavali (Updated Oct 9, 2025)
• Dude to Bison Kaalamaadan: Top 5 Tamil Films Releasing This Diwali 2025 by Nancy Tiwari (Published Oct 13, 2025)
• Three films, one rating: Deepavali releases Dude, Bison and Diesel are both family-friendly and fiery by Jayabhuvaneshwari B (Published Oct 9, 2025)
• Diwali Clash: Telugu Vs Dubbed Films by sankar (Published Oct 9, 2025)
• Top 5 Telugu films to release on Diwali 2025 in theaters: Prabhas starrer Baahubali The Epic to Mohanlal’s Vrusshabha by Goutham S (Published Oct 06, 2025)