Some films fail to attract large audiences due to competition, limited marketing, changing viewer preferences, or being ahead of their time. Television, streaming sites, social media chatter, and shifting trends over the years, however, have helped to bring some of these forgotten films to the forefront. Today, these films are considered cult classics due to the story, acting, music, or idea.
Andaz Apna Apna
Andaz Apna Apna is a comedy released in 1994, which failed to woo the audience at the initial theatrical showing and was authored by Aamir Khan and Salman Khan. Now, it is Bollywood’s most fan-favorite comedy film and has been referenced in a plethora of ways by its followers of all ages.
Swades
Swades was released in 2004, starring Shah Rukh Khan as Mohan Bhargava, a NASA scientist who comes back to India and finds his roots. It has, over the years, become popular for its messages of rural development, responsibility, and patriotism.
Lakshya
Lakshya (2004) is a movie directed by Farhan Akhtar starring Hrithik Roshan as a directionless youth who finds his purpose after joining the Indian Army. The film was well-received by critics and audiences for its acting, cinematography, and positive message, although it did not achieve the box-office success that it had hoped for.
Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year
Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) was a film where Ranbir Kapoor played a young graduate who has to face difficulties in the corporate world and sets up his own business. The movie had modest theatrical releases and ultimately garnered a strong fan base.
Mera Naam Joker
Mera Naam Joker is one of the most ambitious films in the career of Raj Kapoor, a veteran of Hindi cinema. Mera Naam Joker (1970) is one of the most ambitious films in the career of a veteran of Hindi cinema, Raj Kapoor. The movie dealt with the emotions of a circus performer and was of a massive scale and duration.
Agneepath
Agneepath was a 1990 film that featured Amitabh Bachchan as the iconic Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. The movie was well-received by some viewers and not by others, and it failed to find success at the start of its theatrical run, but went on to be a cult hit.
Dil Se..
Dil Se. (1998) was directed by Mani Ratnam and starred Shah Rukh Khan and Manisha Koirala. The romantic thriller did not do well in India, but slowly gained recognition and critical acclaim around the world.
83
In 2021, 83 was released, which chronicled the victorious part of India’s Cricket World Cup triumph in 1983, starring Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev. It failed to make the expected impact at the box office due to various reasons, like its release timing amidst changing theatrical conditions after the pandemic.
Tamasha
In 2015, the identity, dreams, and defying societal norms were the central themes of the film Tamasha, directed by Imtiaz Ali, which featured Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. At the time of release, the film was received with mixed reviews and moderately at the box office.
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