Sometimes it is absolutely surprising to know that some of the best movies you’ve watched have actually not been the best source of income for the producers and investors. Turns out, what fans love and how the box-office works doesn’t always play up in sync.
A movie’s success at the box office depends on a lot of factors that work as one cohesive unit to tell the audience a beautiful story. There are plenty of good flopped movies that became hit after it caters the right audience. Its never about the numbers or profits. it always a content that won irrespective of production cost.
While artistic skills are something that the producers and the directors are in control of. They often forget to take the audience into account. And, it is the audience that decides if the movie becomes a box office flop or faces success.
For instance, Saaho, a poorly reviewed movie grossed Rs 433 crores at the box office. Race 3, which became a target of trolls on the day it was released, made Rs 100 crores in just three days. Both these films made a lot of noise before their release. Saaho was Prabhas‘ first release after Baahubali. And Race 3 was hyped because it marked Salman’s entry into the Race franchise. We all expected fireworks on the big screen. Yet, these movies failed to live up to their hype.
On the other hand, there were several movies that went unnoticed at the theatres. But later on, when they were released on Television and other OTT platforms, they became sleeper hits. So much so, they gained a cult status.
Here’s looking at box office duds that became cult films over the years.
Tumbbad
This movie is not a mere work of art, this is a virtual experience waiting to unfold. The attention to detail, the detailed storytelling and years of hard work may have not worked at the box-office. But this horror period film is one of the finest films made in India. If you’re a mythology fiction fan then watch it today. Sadly, the movie could only garner around Rs 14 crore at the box office.
But after it released on OTT and thanks to covid-19 lockdown. This movie got the appreciation that it deserves. This movie may not earn a lot of money but in the movie fanatics group, this is always a must watch in the horror genre.
Swades
Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades fell flat at the box office when it released in 2004. Swades is a story of an NRI man, played by Shahrukh Khan. Who goes back to his roots and helps his homeland to grow.
Although this story of nostalgia and love for the homeland was loved by critics. It was a commercial flop as it was tagged ‘ahead of its times’. Many consider the timing of the release to be the reason for its failure.
In 2004, SRK had two other films which were blockbusters and the excited audience went to the theatres for his third, Swades, only to find it to be nothing like the masala/romantic movie he had done previously.
Also, the fact that Gowariker’s previous film was an exciting award-winning movie- Lagaan. Which made the audience expect something entirely different from a movie like Swades. But now, for every overseas person, this movie is a cult classic for sure.
Manmarziyaan- the movies
Trust Anurag Kashyap to tell a normal tale of love in a super special way. Rumi and Vicky fall in love but that is not enough for them to get married with lack of commitment and lack of financial stability playing havoc. When Rumi is married off in an arranged marriage set-up, she perceives life in a way she’d never imagined. A box-office flop as per its official figures but nonetheless a true hit, if you love a good story.
Andaz Apna Apna
Andaz Apna Apna had released right after Salman Khan had delivered a box office hit Maine Pyar Kiya and Aamir Khan had given two blockbusters including Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dil. For this one, both the superstars weaved the magic of their crackling chemistry. Yet it turned out to be an utter box office failure.
Neither the duo’s antics nor Shakti Kapoor’s legendary dialogues or the hilarious confusion created by Paresh Rawal’s double roles impressed the audience at that point in time. But thanks to the private TV channels that finally gave the movie the recognition it deserved.
It is said that the movie did better in Mumbai as compared to other regions. Still, it couldn’t cast a great impact at the time when it was released. Andaz Apna Apna, according to several reports, made a profit of only Rs 5 crore. However, today, Andaz Apna Apna is one of the best comedy films that Bollywood has ever made. So much so, that many actors including Ranveer Singh want to be cast in the remake. For the unversed, a remake of the movie is already in the works. It is said that Varun Dhawan and Ranveer Singh will reprise Salman and Aamir Khan’s role.
Dil Chahta Hai
Dil Chahta Hai only minted Rs 15.75 Crores which is only slightly more than what Mela, Aamir Khan’s biggest flop, earned — 13.25 Crores. A movie that is close to the hearts of every ’90s kid is still referred to as a cult classic that redefined friendship and motivated the youth to follow their hearts and dreams. Nobody imagined at that time that a movie about three college boys, who has messed up lives and confused aspirations, would find a place in people’s hearts and continue to impact the youth decades later.
These movies listed above have now become an important part of our lives now. Some of them are still TRP smashers on TV. Can you imagine people didn’t like them when they had released?