Bollywood movies that went from box office duds to cult hits

From box office duds to cult hits

Nayak: The Real Hero (2001)

Tumbbad (2018)

No Smoking (2007)

Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2018) 

Manorama Six Feet Under (2007)

Discover five Bollywood films that gained popularity well after their initial release, capturing audiences' hearts long after leaving the big screen.

<p>Despite being great, some movies end up as box office failures and are ignored when they make their big-screen debut, only to be rediscovered later by a new audience and become cult classics.</p>
<p>Here are five Bollywood films that found their audience long after leaving cinemas.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/short-hollywood-movies-that-went-from-box-office-bombs-to-cult-classics-8921558">Hollywood movies that went from box office bombs to cult classics</a></strong></p>
<h2>Nayak: The Real Hero (2001)</h2>
<figure class="image"><img alt="Nayak" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x711/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/03/tdHpibxEbQZqmZAqXhUd.jpg" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Nayak Photograph: (X/primevideo)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A remake of the Tamil blockbuster&nbsp;<em>Mudhalvan</em>, this movie followed a journalist who was made Chief Minister of a state for a day. It was a box office failure but later achieved cult status after its TV debut. A sequel is now in the works.</p>
<h2>Tumbbad (2018)</h2>
<figure class="image"><img alt="Tumbbad" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x689/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/03/gxLj8n3TOrzYAPiUHxMC.jpg" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Tumbbad Photograph: (X/Netflix)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This brilliant folk horror movie struggled at the box office due to poor marketing, its unique style, and complex themes. However, it found its audience through OTT platforms and even received a theatrical re-release, becoming the most successful re-release in Indian cinema history.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/panchayat-season-4-ott-release-date-prime-video-announces-jitendra-kumar-check-possible-plot-cast-8921732">Panchayat 4 is coming soon! Check when will Sachiv Ji will return to Phulera, release date inside</a></strong></p>
<h2>No Smoking (2007)</h2>
<figure class="image"><img alt="No Smoking" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/03/0RjPXqRvJdQpoL07iHe4.jpg" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>No Smoking Photograph: (X/ErosIntl)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This thriller failed to make an impact in theatres due to mixed reviews and its dark tone, grossing only ₹3 crores ($350K) against a budget of ₹20 crores ($2.3 million). However, word of mouth helped it gain cult status, and it is now considered one of the best Indian thrillers ever made.</p>
<h2>Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2018)</h2>
<figure class="image"><img alt="Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x708/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/03/QWwuiNuufef8oqqdnPf8.jpg" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota Photograph: (X/RSVPMovies)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This action-comedy about a man who cannot feel pain struggled to find an audience due to poor marketing and a limited release. Despite this, it received critical acclaim and became a cult classic after its release on OTT platforms. Today, it is regarded as one of the best martial arts movies made in India.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/val-kilmer-was-confined-to-his-bed-in-his-final-years-was-very-frail-at-the-end-8920500">Val Kilmer was confined to his bed in his final years, was &lsquo;very frail at the end&rsquo;</a></strong></p>
<h2>Manorama Six Feet Under (2007)</h2>
<figure class="image"><img alt="Manorama Six Feet Under" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/03/zZLRPHJV1IaSIDJud1AH.jpg" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Manorama Six Feet Under Photograph: (X/primevideo)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Directed by Navdeep Singh, this movie follows an amateur detective investigating a murder in a remote village. Though it was critically well received, it failed to connect with audiences due to its slow pace and unconventional narrative. However, it gained cult status after airing on TV and is now widely regarded as a must-watch.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-3-teaser-ten-brand-new-adventures-teased-8921268">Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 teaser: Ten brand new adventures teased</a></strong></p>

Despite being great, some movies end up as box office failures and are ignored when they make their big-screen debut, only to be rediscovered later by a new audience and become cult classics. Here are five Bollywood films that found their audience long after leaving cinemas. Also Read: Hollywood movies that went from box office bombs to cult classics Nayak: The Real Hero (2001) Nayak Photograph: (X/primevideo) A remake of the Tamil blockbuster Mudhalvan, this movie followed a journalist who was made Chief Minister of a state for a day. It was a box office failure but later achieved cult status after its TV debut. A sequel is now in the works. Tumbbad (2018) Tumbbad Photograph: (X/Netflix) This brilliant folk horror movie struggled at the box office due to poor marketing, its unique style, and complex themes. However, it found its audience through OTT platforms and even received a theatrical re-release, becoming the most successful re-release in Indian cinema history. Also Read: Panchayat 4 is coming soon! Check when will Sachiv Ji will return to Phulera, release date inside No Smoking (2007) No Smoking Photograph: (X/ErosIntl) This thriller failed to make an impact in theatres due to mixed reviews and its dark tone, grossing only ₹3 crores ($350K) against a budget of ₹20 crores ($2.3 million). However, word of mouth helped it gain cult status, and it is now considered one of the best Indian thrillers ever made. Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2018) Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota Photograph: (X/RSVPMovies) This action-comedy about a man who cannot feel pain struggled to find an audience due to poor marketing and a limited release. Despite this, it received critical acclaim and became a cult classic after its release on OTT platforms. Today, it is regarded as one of the best martial arts movies made in India. Also Read: Val Kilmer was confined to his bed in his final years, was ‘very frail at the end’ Manorama Six Feet Under (2007) Manorama Six Feet Under Photograph: (X/primevideo) Directed by Navdeep Singh, this movie follows an amateur detective investigating a murder in a remote village. Though it was critically well received, it failed to connect with audiences due to its slow pace and unconventional narrative. However, it gained cult status after airing on TV and is now widely regarded as a must-watch. Also Read: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 teaser: Ten brand new adventures teased

After making an impactful entry into Bollywood with his debut film ‘Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota’, Abhimanyu Dassani is impressing people with his charm in ‘Meenakshi Sundareshwar’, a sweet love story about a newly married couple that gets into a long-distance relationship that challenges their romantic equation.

After making an impactful entry into Bollywood with his debut film ‘Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota’, Abhimanyu Dassani is impressing people with his charm in ‘Meenakshi Sundareshwar’, a sweet love story about a newly married couple that gets into a long-distance relationship that challenges their romantic equation. With the film bagging a mixed response and accolades for the actors in the film, Abhimanyu spoke to WION about not fitting into any box, making mom Bhagyashree “proud” and his New Year plans. Edited excerpts from our conversation with him: WION: There is a lot of buzz around your recently released film Meenakshi Sundareshwar. The film has seen a mixed set of reactions, how does it feel? Abhimanyu: It’s been pretty overwhelming. I am enjoying it, I won't lie. As for the controversies, no matter what you make, film or art, you can't please everyone. Some people will always have something to say but as long as your intention and effort has been honest and 100 per cent, it’s all good. The whole team worked very passionately and the good feedback has got everyone in the film multiple offers -- from the DOP to those involved with music, costume -- everyone has been appreciated and have signed big projects. WION: Your chemistry with Sanya Malhotra, your Meenakshi shines in the film. Was that all prep for the film or did you guys know each other from before? Abhimanyu: We did know of each other. We have a common friend, Radhika Madaan. I have worked with her and she’s worked with her as well. Last to last year, when she was shooting for Pagglait in Lucknow and I was shooting for Nikamma, we happened to have stayed at the same hotel. But all the chemistry you see, the relationship between Meenakshi and Sundareshwar is purely prep. We intensely did workshops, readings with the director. Read our review of Meenakshi Sundareshwar here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhimanyu (@abhimanyud) × WION: How do you feel about some factions of people calling the film as having stereotyped Tamilians? Abhimanyu: People talk a lot and we can’t make everyone happy. We made the film with intense passion and purpose and the process was very honest. We did our research, infact had a couple of Tamilians on set -- the editor himself, DOP, chief AD’s -- so if all of them thought that we were doing it correctly, we must be right. WION: Your character in Meenakshi Sundareshwar is very different from that in Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. Was that a conscious decision? Abhimanyu: Absolutely. It is the responsibility of an actor to challenge themselves and adapt themselves into becoming different characters. Audiences or people for that matter have a tendency to put people or things into boxes, so that they feel safe about themselves and so that they can give a limitation to a certain person. I don't agree with that so I try to break away from those boxes. As soon as you put me into a box of an action hero, I'll come out with Meenakshi, you put me in a box of a romantic hero, I'll come with Nikamma. That's a conscious decision. WION: Do you discuss scripts with actress-mom Bhagyashree or do you leave it to your instinct? Abhimanyu: No, we don’t get work back at home. Like any parent would be proud of their children achieving something, I see that glint in her eye and at the end of the day that's what any child wants. I’m just happy to give her those moments where she’s congratulated by people that her son is doing good. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhimanyu (@abhimanyud) × Also read: ‘Scam’ actor Pratik Gandhi to WION on controversies around his first Bollywood film ‘Bhavai’ WION: What can you tell us about your upcoming projects, Nikamma and Aankh Micholi? Abhimanyu: Nikamma is an action entertainer and is a 180 degree flip from Meenakshi and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. You will see the effort that I have put in to change my voice, body language, my mannerisms, and also my look. Aankh Micholi is a comedy film and the star cast is phenomenal. It has Paresh Rawal, Vijay Raaz, Abhishek Banerjee and others. It’s a laughter riot from start to end. So I have four different genres in four different films and every film is for a different audience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhimanyu (@abhimanyud) × WION: Which character of yours are you most closest to in real life, even if just by a few characteristics? Abhimanyu: I'm very different from most of my characters in real life. I can say certain characteristics with Sundar match, certain with Surya match, certain from Adi match. So I guess it’s an amalgamation of these characters. As a newcomer actor I have to try and detach myself from the characters I play because once you spend enough time playing someone, you tend to take something back from them, good or bad. Sundar is so in control of his emotions, patient. I'd like to be like that. I'd like to imbibe those characteristics in me. But I also feel that a reason why I do these characters is because somewhere I see myself in these characters, in certain aspects of it, or I'm attached to them because I have gone through some things similar to that. WION: In a journey of two films that you have seen the premiere of and others that you are currently working on, what’s your biggest learning from Bollywood? Abhimanyu: Bollywood has taught me how to deal with different people. I have learned how to be more patient, go with the flow and not let distractions bog you down from your goal. Naysayers will always try to put you down, to trouble you but as long as you're winning hearts, you're doing the right thing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhimanyu (@abhimanyud) × Also read: Pakistani actor Fawad Khan: Stories by Indian authors don't just belong to India, they are for all WION: Since we are running in the last leg of the year and you’ve had a successful ending to 2021 with Meenakshi Sundareshwar, what are your New Year’s plans, if any? Abhimanyu: I am going to try to take advantage of this run that Meenkashi Sundareshwar is having so instead of taking a holiday I am going to try to work harder. Getting so much love and admiration from people around the world is just an added responsibility, that whatever you are doing is right but you have to keep it up and work harder. That's how I look at my next few months. WION: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? Abhimanyu: To be in everybody’s hearts.

Interview | Abhimanyu Dassani: Bollywood has taught me how to deal with different people

Yearender 2019: The most underrated Hindi films of the year

Mid-year Bollywood report card: The 5 best films of 2019 so far

<p>Actor Gulshan Devaiah has been part of some of the most critically acclaimed films in the past. From 'Shaitan' to 'Death In The Gunj' to 'Hunterrr' to 'That Girl In Yellow Boots', Devaiah's filmography boasts of some iconic films. Yet, Devaiah remains a little elusive to the world of Bollywood and continues to do selective work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In his latest release, Vasan Bala's 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota', the actor is seen in a double role- as a one-legged Karate champion Mani and the other as his evil twin Jimmy. While fans are going ga-ga over Jimmy, Devaiah states that playing Mani was more difficult. "Vasan agreed that figuring out Karate Mani was of paramount importance. More important than Jimmy – because he is just the opposite. Both Jimmy and Mani are street dogs. Mani is that dog who stays in the same corner throughout the day while Jimmy is the dog that jumps, barks at everyone to tell them that this is my bloody street. They are the same but not the same through their circumstances," said the actor in a freewheeling chat with WION. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/mard-ko-dard-nahi-hota-review-vasan-bala-gives-a-fun-quirky-tribute-to-action-films-of-the-1980s-204509">Read the film's review here.&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>The actor revealed that he had to train for four months to get Mani's character right. " Its coincidence that I had a surgery around the same time which made me use the right leg less- it was anyway suffering. The hard part was that I had to learn to sort of hop and do everything with my left leg. Kick and land on the same leg. Jump and do fast moves. Although I did have stunt doubles for two major jumps but &nbsp;I did rest of the action sequences on my own."&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="mard" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="18a2aded-2619-4683-bc9d-9efdd9c138c4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202019-03-27T140750.966.jpg" /></p>

<p>Devaiah performance as Bollywood cliche villain Jimmy struck a chord with one and all. The character had the most entertaining lines in the film and Devaiah completely owned the part. Was there any reference point for him? "Jimmy is like a wrestling villain. I have grown up watching a lot of WWE and Jimmy reminded me of Rick Flair. He is campy, over the top but at the same time very amusing and entertaining. The climax of 'Mard...' &nbsp;is like a wrestling match."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Devaiah states that even though the lines seemed natural, they weren't so. " I wouldn’t say a lot was improvised. Some parts were. Like in the climax- I tell Radhika <em>'Tu leti reh'</em> which was a dialogue suggested by Vasan. Then the line that made to the trailer, '<em>Chup baitho, yeh residential area hai'</em> was also Vasan's idea.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tOXC8i6TID8" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' is filmmaker Vasan Bala's first film as a director. The film also launches actor Abhimanyu Dassani opposite Radhika Madan. Bala and Devaiah have collaborated on films before. Back in 2012, the two worked together in 'Peddlers' &nbsp;which never got a commercial release but earned praise at various international film festivals. Would Peddlers have gotten a commercial release had it been made now? " I wouldn't know for sure. A lot has changed. Vasan and I are different individuals now. Besides, 'Peddlers' is a different kind of film while 'Mard' is a fun film. 'Peddlers' doesn’t entertain, or make you laugh. It is a much more thought-provoking film, complex and darker. Perhaps it can get a limited film now," rues the actor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Admitting that he is selective about projects, Devaiah believes in doing only one project at a time so that he can give his best shot. "Ideally I want to do 2 films a year, maybe 3 at the max. I take the third film only if it's worth it. Like I agreed to this film. I would have regretted not doing 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota'. I couldn’t have ever refused it."&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jb0-Mw_V_bA" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The actor, who will next be seen in 'Commando 3' and a web series(details of which he can't divulge right now) believes that there should not be a sequel or a spin-off of 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota'. "I think we should leave a good thing at that. Not in favour of a spin-off. I think its best to leave the audience hanging but quite honestly it's up to Vasan to make a sequel of the film."&nbsp;</p>


Actor Gulshan Devaiah has been part of some of the most critically acclaimed films in the past. From 'Shaitan' to 'Death In The Gunj' to 'Hunterrr' to 'That Girl In Yellow Boots', Devaiah's filmography boasts of some iconic films.

Actor Gulshan Devaiah has been part of some of the most critically acclaimed films in the past. From 'Shaitan' to 'Death In The Gunj' to 'Hunterrr' to 'That Girl In Yellow Boots', Devaiah's filmography boasts of some iconic films. Yet, Devaiah remains a little elusive to the world of Bollywood and continues to do selective work. In his latest release, Vasan Bala's 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota', the actor is seen in a double role- as a one-legged Karate champion Mani and the other as his evil twin Jimmy. While fans are going ga-ga over Jimmy, Devaiah states that playing Mani was more difficult. "Vasan agreed that figuring out Karate Mani was of paramount importance. More important than Jimmy – because he is just the opposite. Both Jimmy and Mani are street dogs. Mani is that dog who stays in the same corner throughout the day while Jimmy is the dog that jumps, barks at everyone to tell them that this is my bloody street. They are the same but not the same through their circumstances," said the actor in a freewheeling chat with WION. Read the film's review here. The actor revealed that he had to train for four months to get Mani's character right. " Its coincidence that I had a surgery around the same time which made me use the right leg less- it was anyway suffering. The hard part was that I had to learn to sort of hop and do everything with my left leg. Kick and land on the same leg. Jump and do fast moves. Although I did have stunt doubles for two major jumps but I did rest of the action sequences on my own." Devaiah performance as Bollywood cliche villain Jimmy struck a chord with one and all. The character had the most entertaining lines in the film and Devaiah completely owned the part. Was there any reference point for him? "Jimmy is like a wrestling villain. I have grown up watching a lot of WWE and Jimmy reminded me of Rick Flair. He is campy, over the top but at the same time very amusing and entertaining. The climax of 'Mard...' is like a wrestling match." Devaiah states that even though the lines seemed natural, they weren't so. " I wouldn’t say a lot was improvised. Some parts were. Like in the climax- I tell Radhika 'Tu leti reh' which was a dialogue suggested by Vasan. Then the line that made to the trailer, 'Chup baitho, yeh residential area hai' was also Vasan's idea. 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' is filmmaker Vasan Bala's first film as a director. The film also launches actor Abhimanyu Dassani opposite Radhika Madan. Bala and Devaiah have collaborated on films before. Back in 2012, the two worked together in 'Peddlers' which never got a commercial release but earned praise at various international film festivals. Would Peddlers have gotten a commercial release had it been made now? " I wouldn't know for sure. A lot has changed. Vasan and I are different individuals now. Besides, 'Peddlers' is a different kind of film while 'Mard' is a fun film. 'Peddlers' doesn’t entertain, or make you laugh. It is a much more thought-provoking film, complex and darker. Perhaps it can get a limited film now," rues the actor. Admitting that he is selective about projects, Devaiah believes in doing only one project at a time so that he can give his best shot. "Ideally I want to do 2 films a year, maybe 3 at the max. I take the third film only if it's worth it. Like I agreed to this film. I would have regretted not doing 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota'. I couldn’t have ever refused it." The actor, who will next be seen in 'Commando 3' and a web series(details of which he can't divulge right now) believes that there should not be a sequel or a spin-off of 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota'. "I think we should leave a good thing at that. Not in favour of a spin-off. I think its best to leave the audience hanging but quite honestly it's up to Vasan to make a sequel of the film."

Would have regretted not doing 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota': Gulshan Devaiah

mard-ko-dard-nahi-hota

Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, News on Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, stories on Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, articles on Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota stories at Wion, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota news, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota latest news

mard ko-dard-nahi-hota

Bollywood movies that went from box office duds to cult hits

Bollywood movies that went from box office duds to cult hits

Interview | Abhimanyu Dassani: Bollywood has taught me how to deal with different people

Yearender 2019: The most underrated Hindi films of the year

Mid-year Bollywood report card: The 5 best films of 2019 so far

Would have regretted not doing 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota': Gulshan Devaiah