There are many examples when terrible stupid Bollywood movies made way more money than good films at the box office. It is quite disappointing how movies even after being highly appreciated by critics are beaten at the box office by movies that are terrible, sexist, and regressive! Here are such good films that had the power to touch lives and inspire people, but were beaten at the box office.
1. Sonchiriya
Despite receiving great reviews from the critics, this Sushant Singh Rajput and Manoj Bajpayee starrer bombed at the box office. There are a lot of people who missed out on this great film. Set in 1975, this movie is about a group of dacoits in the Chambal region. This movie even received the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film in 2020 (along with Anubhav Sinha’s Article 15). It earned ₹8 crores.
2. Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota
The movie is based on a man named Surya who doesn’t feel pain (hence the name). But he has a weakness too, which you’ll find out when you watch the movie.  This delightful movie is one of the finest movies to be made in the past few years. It earned ₹3 crores.
3. Aligarh
Based on a real-life story of a gay professor, Ramchandra Siras, this movie is written by a gay writer, Apurva Asrani, and directed by Hansal Mehta. Starring Rajkummar Rao and Manoj Bajpayee, this movie earned critics’ appreciation but couldn’t earn more than ₹3 crores at the box office.
4. Laila Majnu
With exemplary acting performances by leading actors, Tripti Dimri and Avinash Tiwari, this movie is definitely a good watch. The movie captures the struggle of a heartbroken lover who inches towards madness because he can’t bear the pain of separation. The songs in the movie are magical too. It earned ₹2.76 crores.
5. Mulk
This hard-hitting movie is inspired by real-life incidents. The movie attempts to showcase the struggles of a Muslim family from Varanasi after one of its members joins a terrorist organization. This movie received a lot of love from critics too. The movie earned ₹30 crores.
6. Manto
The movie is based on the life of renowned Urdu poet Saadat Hasan Manto, who was known for his bold work. Directed by Nandita Das, this movie was widely appreciated for its subject and acting performances. But, not many people went to theatres to watch it. The movie earned ₹4.31 crores.
7. Karwaan
With the talents like Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salman, and Mithila Palker, this heartwarming comedy-drama is simple yet moving! The movie earned ₹25.58 crores.
8. Qarib Qarib Singlle
Another Irrfan movie, Qarib Qarib Singlle is a rom-com that we seriously wish more people had seen in the theaters. From innocence to laughter to romantic climax, this movie has everything. The movie earned ₹21.03 crores.
9. Trapped
Showing the struggles, fears, and helplessness of a man stuck in a house without food and water, this movie is haunting. Rajkummar Rao, who is a method actor, restricted his diet to lose weight and look the part in the movie. It earned ₹3.53 crores.
10. A Death in the Gunj
Directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, this movie deals with the internal struggles of a young man, who is alone even when he is with his family. Vikrant Massey was outstanding in the movie and so was the rest of the cast, including Gulshan Devaiah, Kalki Koechlin, Tillotama Shome, Om Puri, Tanuja, Jim Sarbh, and Ranvir Shorey. The movie earned ₹1.37 crores.
11. Har Kisse Ke Hisse Kaamyaab
The movie is based on a character who was a supporting actor in yesteryear’s Bollywood. And while he has enjoyed his fair share of popularity for his larger-than-life roles, Sudheer (Sanjay Mishra) is now a recluse. However, an unsuccessful video interview with the media stirs up old memories and instills a new ray of hope in his heart, to reach a new benchmark and face the camera, even if it is for one last time. The movie earned ₹58 lakhs.Â
12. Mukti Bhawan
An interesting journey of a father and his son to Varanasi, Mukti Bhavan is one of the finest movies of all time. The father, played by Lalit Behl wants to go to the holy city because he thinks that is where he will breathe his last (hence the concept of mukti). But he can’t go alone, so his son Adil Hussain accompanies him. The movie did wonderful business in Japan but didn’t have that many viewers in India. It earned ₹74 lakhs.
Do give these good movies a second chance as they are pure gems! They deserve better!
*All images are from respective movie posters or movies!
