2023 marked a glorious resurgence for Bollywood, with record-breaking box-office collections signaling a strong comeback. However, as we trundle through 2024, the Hindi film industry finds itself in a peculiar state of flux. Big-budget extravaganzas have fizzled, while mid-budget films and unexpected hits are keeping the box office afloat. Without the usual suspects—the Khans—making a splash, it's been a quirky year of surprises and disappointments.
The Big Guns Fail to Fire
The year kicked off with a whimper as the highly-anticipated action flick "Fighter," starring Hrithik Roshan and directed by Siddharth Anand, failed to meet lofty expectations. Despite a hefty budget of ₹250 crore, it managed to scrape together a worldwide gross of ₹337 crore. For a film following the director’s mega-hit "Pathaan," this was akin to a punch with a feather.
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Eid, a period synonymous with Bollywood blockbusters, brought only heartburn for producers. "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan" and Ajay Devgn’s "Maidaan" both crashed at the box office. The latter, a biographical sports drama, earned a paltry ₹68 crore globally on a whopping budget of ₹235 crore. Meanwhile, Ali Abbas Zafar’s action-comedy "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan" fared slightly better but still underwhelmed, grossing ₹102 crore against its ₹350 crore budget.
June's box office landscape looked no brighter with Kartik Aaryan’s "Chandu Champion" tanking spectacularly. It managed to rake in a meager ₹78 crore on a budget of ₹140 crore, proving once again that ambition alone does not guarantee box-office success.
Small Films to the Rescue
Amidst the cacophony of big-budget flops, a chorus of smaller films has sung sweet tunes at the box office. February saw "Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya," starring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon, grossing nearly ₹134 crore on a budget of ₹75 crore. It was followed by "Article 370," which exceeded expectations by grossing over ₹110 crore globally on a modest budget of ₹20 crore.
March delivered a delightful surprise with "Shaitaan," a film shot on a budget of ₹60 crore that crossed the ₹200-crore mark worldwide. "Madgaon Express" emerged victorious despite clashing with Randeep Hooda’s "Swatantrya Veer Savarkar." The Divyenndu-led comedy collected ₹48 crore on a ₹30 crore budget. In the same month, "Crew," featuring Tabu and Kareena Kapoor Khan, raked in ₹157 crore globally on a budget of ₹75 crore, thanks to its heist-comedy charm. Rajkummar Rao’s "Srikanth" also proved to be a moderate success, grossing ₹62 crore despite its niche appeal.
However, the real shocker was "Munjiya," a horror-comedy fronted by Sharvari. With a budget of ₹30 crore, it managed to collect an impressive ₹111 crore globally, turning heads and wallets.
South Cinema Shines Bright
While Bollywood faced turbulence, South Indian cinema continued its victorious march into the Hindi heartland. "HanuMan," a Telugu film released during Sankranti, resonated with the Hindi audience, netting ₹57 crore despite its modest star power. Malayalam cinema, known for prioritizing content over cash registers, found success with "Manjummel Boys," a narrative-driven film that quietly became a commercial hit.
The pièce de résistance was "Kalki 2898 AD," starring Prabhas. Released on June 27, this mythological saga got off to a flying start, netting ₹72 crore in Hindi alone while garnering rave reviews. Prabhas' star power and the intriguing storyline ensured it became the talk of the town.
OTT: The Silent Performer
As cinemas saw fluctuating fortunes, OTT platforms delivered consistent hits. "Bhakshak," with its intense take on the Muzaffarpur shelter case, became a digital sensation. Similarly, "Amar Singh Chamkila" captivated audiences with its raw performances and gripping narrative. Other notable OTT releases include "Maharaj," "Ae Watan Mere Watan," and "Murder Mubarak." Even Kiran Rao’s "Laapata Ladies" found a second wind on Netflix after a lukewarm box office run.
Final Thoughts
So, what’s the moral of this half-year Bollywood tale? It's a stark reminder that star power and big budgets don't always translate to box-office gold. Instead, this quirky year has shown that it's the underdogs, the dark horses, and the unassuming storytellers who often steal the show. Whether you're a fan of high-octane action, heartfelt dramas, or rib-tickling comedies, the first half of 2024 has offered a little something for everyone. So, dear reader, which was your favorite cinematic gem from this topsy-turvy half-year?
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Sources
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