In the present times the film making business in Bollywood is becoming riskier, as now no film maker can guarantee the success of films. Many times a film made with big budget and big star cast fails to impress the audience, and the film flops miserably. On the other hand some times a film made with low budget and not big/known star cast becomes huge hit, when you compare its budget and revenue collected at box office. In the last few years trend is changing, and some low budget films are collecting a good revenue at the box office. Take the film ‘Tanu Weds Manu’, it did not have big names, but the critics and audience applauded the film, and it ended up grossing over Rs 150 Cr at the box office.
Here are most successful low budget films of recent times:
1 Paan Singh Tomar (2012)
The biopic on Indian soldier, athlete, and rebel ‘Paan Singh Tomar’ by Tigmanshu Dhulia was a big critical and commercial success. Irffan Khan played the title role The film won the National Award for Best feature film. The film was made for just a total budget of Rs 8 Cr and it earned more than Rs 38 Cr at the box office.
2 Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010)
A film by director Subhash Kapoor, and it was a satirical comedy with not very well known actors, such as Rajat Kapoor, Neha Dhupia, and Sanjay Mishra. It was the performance of the actors, abrilliant story telling, fresh humour that made film a success. The film made with budget of only Rs 6 Cr made a collection of Rs 19 Cr at box office.
3 Kahani (2012)
A fil directed by Sujoy Ghosh. Without having a big superstar, Vidya Balan single-handedly managed to carry the film of her shoulder. Nawazuddin Siddiqui got his his first big break in this film. It also starred not very known names like Darshan Zariwala, Indraneil sengupta, Parambrata Chatterjee in supporting roles. The film was made with abudget of Rs 8 Cr and it crossed over Rs 78 Cr at the box office.
4 Vicky Donor (2012)
A film directed by Shoojit Sarkar. The film had newcomers Ayushman Khurrana and Yamini Gautam in lead roles, and only known actor in the film was Annu Kapoor. The film deals with the themes of sperm donation and infertility, even though the issue was very sensitive, there is no vulgarity in the film. It was made with a budget of Rs 5 Cr, the film was a big critical and commercial success as it collected Rs 65 Cr at the box office.
5 Tere Bin Laden (2010)
It was directed by Abhishek Sharma. In the lead role it starred Pakistani pop singer Ali Zafar, who made his debut in this film. It is story of young reporter, to make money and migrate to the USA, he makes a fake video of Osama Bin Laden. The film made with budget of Rs 6 Cr, and it collected over Rs 15 Cr at the box office.
6 Peepli love (2010)
It was directed by Anusha Rizvi & Rizvi Mahmood. The film is satirical comedy that explores the tragic issue of ‘farmer suicides’ and the subsequent response of the media channels and the political leaders. The film had no known star/actor, and most of the actors had a background of theatre. Made with a budget of Rs 10 Cr it did business of Rs 35 Cr at the box office.
7 No One killed Jessica (2011)
It was directed by Rajkumar Gupta, and was based on the infamous murder case and trial that followed. Initially the accused killer was acquitted by the court. The consequent media coverage, which sparked protests all across the nation, resulted in reopening the murder case and the killer was finally sentenced for life imprisonment. The film had two known actors vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji in main roles. The film was made with the budget of Rs ( Cr, it garnered Rs 58 Cr at the box office.
8 Pyaar Ka Panchnama (2011)
The film was directed by Luv Ranjan, and tells the story of three bachelors who fall in love with three girls. The film presented some real life situations, how girls can be so annoying at times. It starred unknown actors. The film made with a budget of Rs 7 Cr, it collected Rs 17.5 Cr at the box office.
9 Bheja Fry (2007)
It was directed by Sagar Bellary. It starred Rajat Kapoor and Vinay Pathak. The film was a situational comedy. It was made on a budget of Rs 60 Lakhs but ended up making over Rs 18 Cr at the box office.
You will observe from the above that all these films were not from run of mill factory of Bollywood. These films basically garnered the business from the urban multiplex going audiences. The films did not do any noticeable business in small centres or single screen theatres. It is difficult to say whether these kind of film will do business now or in near future. As in the last few years due to Covid 19 pandemic the audience going to multiplexes is going down, and watching habits of audience have also gone under change. Yes, this type of films may do well on the OTT platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and other similar platforms.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
26th August 2022