It is quite disappointing how many of us blame Bollywood for giving us sexist, misogynistic, regressive, and horrible movies. But then, when Bollywood makes a brave attempt to provide us with progressive and original movies, we don’t watch these great movies in theaters, making them less successful than not-so-great movies. How regressive and sexist movies perform so well at the box office, while the progressive movies fail to be huge hits, reveals a lot about us as a society.
Here are the recent Bollywood Hindi movies that failed to break records at the box office but turned out to be a huge hit on OTT:
1. Mission Raniganj (2023)
Akshay Kumar’s film is based on the true story of the 1989 rescue mission led by Jaswant Singh Gill, who bravely saved 65 trapped miners in Raniganj, West Bengal. Despite struggling at the box office, the movie garnered immense appreciation following its release on OTT platforms. It climbed to the No. 1 spot, earning praise for its inspiring storyline, gripping screenplay, and outstanding performances. Audiences were deeply moved, experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the film. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can stream it on Netflix.
2. 12th Fail (2023)
If there was one movie that showcased the supremacy of Bollywood in 2023, it would be ’12th Fail.’ Based on the inspiring real story of Manoj Sharma and his struggle to become an IPS, this movie evokes a plethora of emotions. Amidst a landscape of regressive movies, ’12th Fail’ stands as a reminder of Bollywood’s capability to deliver impactful films—ones that inspire, make us cry, and make us laugh. Despite not breaking records at the box office, it still emerged as a huge hit on OTT platforms, with many calling it the finest movie of 2023.
3. An Action Hero (2022)
Ayushmann Khurrana and Jaideep Ahlawat’s hilarious and thrilling cat-and-mouse chase left many impressed. The whole internet was buzzing with ‘An Action Hero’ great reviews but even after such positive word-of-mouth, this movie is struggling at the box office.
With a powerful screenplay and a talented star cast, this movie focused on the original story, rather than a remake. But, even after being a good movie, it tanked at the box office
4. Chandu Champion (2024)
Chandu Champion is another movie – that may not have shattered box office records, but its journey to success is nothing short of remarkable. Released yesterday on Amazon Prime, the film has quickly climbed the charts, trending at No. 1 and capturing the hearts of audiences nationwide. The story of Chandu Champion follows a passionate soul who defies all odds to fulfill his dreams, showcasing resilience. Despite its modest performance in theaters, the movie’s gripping narrative and powerful performances have resonated deeply with viewers on OTT, earning it massive love and acclaim.
5. 83 (2021)
The movie had to wait for a long to be released in theatres only because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, when it did, the country was struggling with the onset of the third wave that led to decreased footfall in theatres. But, the movie turned out to be a great hit online.
6. Bhediya (2022)
Set in the forests of Arunachal, Bhediya is the story of Bhaskar, a man who gets bitten by a wolf and begins to transform into a creature. Bhediya is Bollywood’s first creature comedy. And, while we complain about Bollywood’s obsession with remakes and its lack of originality, it is quite disappointing how Bollywood’s attempt at this original horror comedy fell flat at the box office.
7. Tumbbad (2018)
With an intriguing storyline and excellent graphics, many are in awe of Tumbbad. People loved the movie so much that when India announced its Oscar entry in 2019, many thought Tumbbad would have made a better choice than Gully Boy. But sadly movie didn’t perform well at the box office. It was only after its release on Amazon Prime that it became a cult.
8. Laapataa Ladies
Despite receiving glowing reviews from the audience for its talented star cast, Kiran Rao’s intelligent direction, inspiring dialogues, socially relevant message, and feel-good factor, “Laapataa Ladies” only managed to earn under INR 25 crores at the box office. While the movie may not have turned out a huge hit in theatres, it turned out to be a super hit on OTT. The movie received so much appreciation that it turned out to be India’s entry to Oscars.
9. Khel Khel Mein
Khel Khel Mein, starring Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, and Fardeen Khan, may have stumbled at the box office, but it found immense success on OTT, trending at No. 1 on Netflix. Audiences loved the film’s light-hearted comedy, with Akshay’s brilliant comic timing and Taapsee’s sharp dialogues keeping them hooked. Fardeen Khan’s comeback added a nostalgic touch, with his role being warmly welcomed. Despite its initial theatrical struggles, the movie’s charm, playful tone, and stellar performances helped it thrive on streaming platforms, proving that some films are destined for OTT stardom.
Also Read: 12 Brilliant Movies That Failed Miserably At Box Office But Deserve A Second Chance
Which movie turned out to be your favorite?