There will be times when we are surprised to know that some of the best movies you’ve watched have flopped at the ticket windows, leaving producers and investors at losses. There will be a difference in what fans actually love and how the box-office works don’t always play up in sync.
Popular Bollywood Analyst cum Business Transformation Expert Hirav Shah says, “The success of a Bollywood movie is usually measured in terms of the money it made at the Box Office. However, if you ask cinema purists, the true win lies in a story that leaves a lasting impression.”
Now, here is the list of wonderful films which were box office flops but later turned into cult classics.
Table of Contents
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy
Touted as a mystery action thriller, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy was an interesting watch. The film showcases the journey of Byomkesh, who is the mystery name in the underbelly of Calcutta. Despite outstanding acting skills from Sushant Singh Rajput and getting a positive response from the audience, the film tanked at the box office. The poor response to the film had an adverse effect on Sushant’s mind which later became one of the reasons to commit suicide.
Mukkabaaz
As per the trade reports, Mukkabaaz could only get 12% occupancy on the day of its release. Sources say that it flopped miserably at the box office. But surprisingly, this sports drama was literally packed with a lot of punch and turned into a must-watch drama.
Swades
Swades brings in an unsaid love and feeling of patriotism in all our hearts, but sadly the film was a commercial flop at the box office. SRK’s phenomenal acting as Mohan Bhargav, which is easily one of the greatest performances in the world, who returns home as a hard-working NRI and later realizes to do something to his village, is inspirational and makes Swades a heartwarming drama to watch.
Manmarziyaan
This Anurag Kashyap directional tells the normal tale of love in a special way.
The film revolves around Rumi and Vicky, who fall in love, but that is not enough for them to get married with a lack of commitment and lack of financial stability playing havoc. This love drama was a flop at the box office but is a solid hit in the hearts of millions.
Rocket Singh
Rocket Singh was of those rare gems which not only made you smile but also inspired you in many ways.
This Ranbir Kapoor starrer follows the story of a commerce graduate who is ridiculed by his employers initially and turns the table later with his own marketing magic and business strategies. Though Rocket Singh flopped at the box office, it got good appreciation from the audience.
Tumbbad
Tumbbad is not a work of art but is a virtual experience waiting to unfold. Despite having a step by step detailing and detailed storytelling, the film bombed at the box office. But this horror period film is one of the finest films made in India. Especially mythology fiction fans will love it for sure.
Nayak
Nayak, starring Anil Kapoor, was sadly a commercial flop. Reportedly, the film garnered over $205 million at the box office against its budget of $210 million. This Shankar directional has Anil Kapoor as Shivaji Rao taking over the CM duties to clean the disabilities in the society.
Hirav Shah concludes by saying, “There are good films, then there are even better ones. Sometimes, the ‘even better ones’ are stacked below a glut of average and over-hyped movies that grace the screens every year. But with time, they get the love they deserve when the audience watches them on TV or on OTT platforms. These are just a few of such movies, all masterpieces in their own right, which were plagued by poor reception. These movies, though they did not shatter Box Office records, still deserve a dekko.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Bollywood Films that flopped
Which movie is the biggest flop in Bollywood?
Mera Naam Joker, Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, Bombay Velvet, Ajooba, Thugs of Hindostan, Mangal Pandey, Guzaarish, Zero, and Dhaakad are some of the biggest flop films ever.
Which is the No. 1 movie in Bollywood?
It is none other than SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. With a total domestic gross of ₹1,430 Crores, the film broke a number of domestic records.
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