Finding initial success at the box office can be a struggle for some films as sometimes they are way ahead of their time. Numbers and box office collections don’t prove a movie’s worth. Some movies blossom late in the hearts of the viewers. They gain recognition and a devoted fanbase long after their initial release. Let’s take a look at these misfits of the Indian cinema that ultimately found their place in audiences’ hearts and became fan favourites.
Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
Released three decades ago, Andaz Apna Apna with its casting coup that brought together Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, two superstars of that era along with comic legends Mehmood, Jagdeep, and Devan Varma was the material Bollywood dreams are made of. Yet, the film turned out to be a flop at the box office. The last 30 years have, however, witnessed the movie transform into a cult classic. The madcap adventure revolved around two good for nothing dreamers competing for love and fortune of an heiress. Amar (Aamir Khan) and Prem (Salman Khan) leave no stone unturned to win the heart of Raveena Bajaj (Raveena Tandon) in order to strike it big while avoiding her secretary Karishma (Karishma Kapoor), who incidentally is the real Raveena.
The plot of the situational comedy thickens with the conspiracies of Bhalla and Robert (Shazad Khan, Viju Khote) who are actually pawns of Raveena’s Uncle Teja (Paresh Rawal), the evil twin of her businessman father Ramgopal Bajaj (Paresh Rawal), who wants to kill his brother to take his millions in order to pay off ‘Crime Master’ Gogo (Shakti Kapoor). The film resonated with fans because of its spontaineity and unscripted chaos.
Tamasha (2015)
Directed by Imtiaz Ali, Tamasha, starring Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor is a cathartic ride revolving around concepts of self-discovery, love, and separation. Ranbir Kapoor shines as Ved in the movie with his wide range of emotions and flawless performance. Deepika Padukone does a stellar job as Tara complimenting him perfectly. The star-crossed lovers meet during a vacation in Corsica and promise to not reveal their identities, nor do they want to stay connected in the real world post that vacation. But the universe has different plans.
The movie brilliantly captures the nuances of a man living a monotonous urban life, torn between what he could be and what he has become—a lifeless corporate employee, living the same day on a loop. The cinematic masterpiece didn’t resonate with people back in 2015 when it was released but has now become a cult classic among movie enthusiasts and daydreamers. Tamasha, with its brilliant screenplay and captivating music, explored the untamed aspects of life that are often not shown on the big screen.
Masaan (2015)
Small town, caste struggle, social stigma, and forbidden lovers. Masaan, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, unfolds the story of Deepak (Vicky Kaushal) and Shalu (Shweta Tripathi), who are trying to move beyond the confines of a casteist society with just hope and love. On the other hand, there is Devi (Richa Chaddha), struggling to make a place of her own in a society that can’t see past her pre-marital sexual relationship which got her detained by cops in a shady motel room. This movie’s narrative unfolds in the sacred city of Varanasi and beautifully portrays intense human emotions of grief, joy, love, and intimacy. Poetic dialogues, an abundance of artistic expression, and Indian Ocean’s soundtracks made the movie an incredible tour de force. The screenplay is mesmerising, and Masaan is as human as it can get.
Rockstar (2011)
At the time of this release, the Imtiaz Ali-directed film evoked a mix response from audiences and critics but has now gained cult classic status. Shot in reverse from climax to start, Rockstar is one of Imtiaz Ali’s finest creations. Ranbir Kapoor as Janardan, your average Delhi boy, trying to pursue Heer, played by Nargis Fakhri—the “dil-todne ki machine” hailing from Kashmir. Janardan wanted Heer to be his girlfriend, not because he loved her but because Heer breaking his heart would take him closer to becoming a rockstar. With a mind-blowing background score and powerful dialogues, this movie takes you “far away from this place, beyond the ideas of wrongdoings and right doings to a field” where there is only love and passion. A world not plagued by societal expectations and roadblocks.
This film is heavy; it is not your average cliched story about lovers. It is Janardan’s journey of becoming Jordan and getting everything he ever wanted only to realise later on that he never needed any of it because ultimately only Heer was his piece of everything.
Udaan (2010)
Expelled from his boarding school in Shimla along with his three friends (Vikram, Benoy, and Maninder) after getting caught watching pornographic content off campus, seventeen-year-old Rohan (Rajat Barmecha) returns home in Jamshedpur to an alcoholic father and a six-year-old half-brother, Arjun (Aayan Boradia). Their father Bhairav Singh (Ronit Roy), a stern man never failed to show his disappointment in Rohan and often abused and physically assaulted him in addition to forcing him to work at his metalwork factory and attend a local university for an engineering degree. Rohan never really aspired to be an engineer, he wanted to become a writer. The story revolves around complex familial relationships filled with abuse, teenage angst, and scars of childhood trauma that never really heal. In a nutshell, the movie despite failing to capture the audience at the time of its release is a visually appealing ensemble of a multitude of emotions and takes you on an emotional journey of two children devoid of parental love and a warm childhood.
What these movies have in common is a unique sense of nostalgia, each stirring intense emotions through unforgettable cinematography, exceptional acting and an engaging narrative leaving an indelible effect in the minds of the audience. Whether it’s the coming-of-age journey of a rebellious but ambitious teenager in Udaan, the soul-crushing musical ride of Rockstar, tragic and overwhelming screenplay of Masaan, the voyage of self-discovery in Tamasha, or the comedy of mistaken identities in Andaz Apna Apna, all these movies remind us of how everything has its own pace to flourish and gain due recognition in the public eye.
