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Published 12:42 IST, November 10th 2019

Bollywood movies: Four cult classics that flopped at the box-office

Bollywood movies that are cult classic today but flopped at the box-office when they released. Here are four of the most popular cult classics that flopped

Reported by: Sherwin D'Cunha
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Bollywood has witnessed thousands of movies released over the course of time. Many of these films have emerged as highly successful at the box-office and are still enjoyed by generations of filmgoers. Bollywood has also seen many films that had great content and talented actors but flopped at the box-office. With time, these films have earned the love of audiences and emerged as cult classics. 

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The films that flopped at the box-office but became cult classics

1. Agneepath (1990)

Agneepath is considered to be one of the landmark films of Amitabh Bachchan's illustrious 50-year-old career. Directed by Mukul Anand and produced by Yash Johar, the gangster revenge saga was influenced by Al Pacino's 1983 film, Scarface, and took its title from Harivansh Rai Bachchan's poem of the same name, which was used in the film. Upon its release, the film flopped at the box-office, with one of the prime concerns being Amitabh Bachchan's unique voice for the film. However, after the actor won his first National Film Award for Best Actor for this film, Agneepath started gaining appreciation and is regarded as a cult classic. The box-office collection of the film was ₹ 10.25 crore, which was way below its budget. 

2. Andaz Apna Apna (1994)

Andaz Apna Apna starred Aamir Khan and Salman Khan as two warring individuals and focused on their comedic misadventures. Besides them, the film also featured Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Shakti Kapoor, Tiku Talsania, Shehzad Khan, and the late Viju Khote in pivotal roles. Even though it was only a moderate success upon release, it has since emerged as a cult classic and is considered as one of the greatest Bollywood comedies.

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3. Shaan (1980)

Shaan is a 1980 action-thriller directed by Ramesh Sippy. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Parveen Babi and Bindiya Goswami, with Kulbhushan Kharbanda as the prime antagonist, the iconic Shakaal. The film reunited the team behind Sholay, which consisted of Sippy, Bachchan, R.D.Burman and the writers Salim-Javed, and expectations were sky high. However, Shaan was a below-average performer upon release. However, it did a great business after re-runs with packed houses and emerged as the highest-grossing film of 1980. 

Read Bollywood Movies That Clashed At The Box Office: Sholay To Rustom

4. Lamhe (1991)

Lamhe is probably one of the most underrated Bollywood movies. Released in 1991, the film was produced and directed by Yash Chopra and starred Sridevi and Anil Kapoor. The film was Yash Chopra's favourite film from his illustrious career. Upon its release, Lamhe did below-average business at the Indian box-office, but it was an enormous hit overseas. Today, Lamhe is considered as one of the greatest Indian films of all-time. 

Read Popular Bollywood Movies That Were Remade Into Regional Films

Updated 16:07 IST, November 10th 2019

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