From Laila Majnu To Rockstar, Hindi Films That Earned Cult Status Over The Years

Movies, like any great art, often find their true appreciation later on when they connect to the right audience. As Bollywood films (majorly big budget flicks) bomb at the box office, the viewers are giving a new life to old films. Recently, we came across a bunch of appreciation posts on Instagram declaring Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Rockstar’, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri, a masterpiece. Though the film had its first wave of popularity, this new trend brought a fresh level of care, with viewers closely dissecting every detail.

This week, Sajid Ali’s 2018 romantic drama, which he and his brother Imtiaz Ali co-wrote, is being re-released in theatres. Both the leads, Avinash Tiwary and Triptii Dimri, have gained more traction this time after their hits at the box office and have their (almost) forgotten film, ‘Laila Majnu’.

Sharing Posters of the film, Imtiaz wrote on Instagram, “Laila Majnu back on popular demand!!! Gratitude to your love that pulled it into theaters again after six years!! Re-releasing 9th Aug ’24 in cinemas nationwide.”

Over the years, many movies have seen how audience appreciation and time can turn bad films into timeless masterpieces. Here are some of the Indian films that were not a superhit but are now labeled cult classics.

Rockstar

In the movie Rockstar, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakri, two people’s journeys towards self-discovery and breaking social norms are depicted. At the time of its release, both critics and audiences had mixed feelings about the film’s storytelling; nevertheless, it has now gained cult classic status.

My name is Joker

With an original storyline, this film centers on the life of a circus clown who, despite his personal melancholy, brings joy to others. Its release was met with a lukewarm reception, but due to its depth of emotion and Kapoor’s daring vision, it has subsequently become a cult classic. Produced by Kapoor under the umbrella of RK Films, it was reportedly created over a six-year period and caused financial difficulties for him.

Let me know too friends

From the perspectives of two photographers, this classic movie addresses societal issues and mainly corruption. The film, while had a bumpy start, has become cult classic due to its sharp criticism on Indian society. However, the movie has garnered a massive following by now, and it was even re-released in select theaters in 2012. The unforgettable performances delivered by the stellar cast and witty humor still remains relevant.

Paper Flowers

A prevalent case cited to back up the notion that a movie’s worth cannot be determined by its box office earnings is this Guru Dutt flick. This film is now screened at many film festivals and often presented as a masterpiece to learn filmmaking. An iconic fusion of SD, sorrowful lyrics inspired by his own life, and the stunning light and shadow work of Guru Dutt makesit a must-watch.

Andaaz our own our own

When Andaaz Apna Apna, starring Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, was released, viewers dismissed it as being meaningless. However, their chemistry is now something to be loved. In response to public demand, Rajkumar Santoshi announced the Andaaz Apna Apna sequel on the occasion of the show’s 20th anniversary.

Swadeshi

Shah Rukh Khan was the OG of breaking into unexplored territories in Bollywood, long before the latter ventured into action films. Ashutosh Gowariker’s film Swades was a box office flop. Its ability to provoke thought may be the reason it attracted attention much later. Swades became a cult classic after being a global hit and receiving positive reviews from critics throughout the world.

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