While 2024 witnessed record-breaking successes like Stree 2, it also saw several films with compelling narratives fall flat at the box office. Despite their strong storylines, excellent direction, and powerful performances, these movies couldn't attract audiences to theaters. Here’s a look at five Bollywood films that deserved more recognition but couldn’t make a mark at the box office.
Ajay Devgn’s Maidaan, based on the inspiring life of Syed Abdul Rahim, the man behind India’s football golden era, released on April 11, 2024. Made on a massive ₹250 crore budget, the film only earned ₹68 crore worldwide. The biographical sports drama was critically acclaimed for its storytelling and cinematography but failed to resonate with audiences. This underdog story of the Indian football team’s 1962 Asian Games triumph remains one of the most underrated films of the year.
Starring Kartik Aaryan, Chandu Champion hit theaters on June 14, 2024. Directed by Kabir Khan, this inspiring tale of Paralympian gold medalist Murlikant Petkar was made on a ₹140 crore budget but earned only ₹89 crore. Despite a powerful narrative and brilliant performances, the movie struggled amidst competition from big releases like Pushpa 2 and Kalki 2898 AD.
The Hindi remake of the National Award-winning Soorarai Pottru, Sarfira, starring Akshay Kumar, was released on July 12, 2024. The film narrated the story of an ambitious man overcoming immense challenges, directed with the same fervor as the original. However, Sarfira only managed to recover its ₹30 crore budget and failed to leave an impact comparable to the Tamil original.
Released on Independence Day, Khel Khel Mein featured an ensemble cast led by Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, and Vaani Kapoor. This remake of the Italian film Perfect Strangers was made on a ₹100 crore budget but earned a mere ₹48 crore globally. The film, a mix of drama and moral lessons, performed better on OTT platforms but failed to draw crowds to theaters.
Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina starred in this well-directed emotional drama, which released on October 10, 2024. Despite its strong storyline and hit song Sang Rakhna, Jigra earned just ₹50 crore against its ₹80 crore budget. The film's reception was also affected by controversies surrounding its release, overshadowing its cinematic merits.
These films, though box-office disappointments, stood out for their quality and storytelling. They are a testament to the fact that success isn’t always about numbers, and some movies take time to find their audience, even beyond the silver screen.
