Classic Bollywood films, which were flops when released

Agneepath

One of Amitabh Bachchan's most sought-after performance was as Vijay Deenanath Chauhan in 'Agneepath'. The movie possessed some great action and songs, but was considered a flop on its release.

Andaz Apna Apna

Andaz Apna Apna is still considered a cult classic. From its dialogues to its performances, the film is one of best comic capers that Bollywood could ever come up with. But this too garnered some extremely bad reviews from audiences and critics at the time of its release.

Dil Se

Dil Se was the movie that dealt with terrorism and love in the most epic manner. But instead it tanked at box office, inspite of having a some amazing songs and a sensitive story.

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro

The reason why this movie failed at the box office is pretty clear. The audience really didn't really know much about satirical comedy back in the 80s. it was eventually, that some sense prevailed, and this movie achieved a cult status.

Kaagaz Ke Phool

Kaagaz Ke Phool movie was a story way ahead of its time. It was about a Bollywood director and his rise and fall in the industry. Something that Bollywood was just not ready to accept at that time. Being a Guru Dutt movie too couldn't help it succeed at the box-office and it was accounted as a flop.

Lakshya

'Lakshya' starred Hrithik Roshan as a clueless young guy who is in search of his dream and finally finds it by joining the army. Even though not accepted back then, the film had so much potential that it has now become a fovorite amongst the youth.

Lamhe

In 1991, Honey Irani came with a different love story between a young girl and an older man. But the audience at that point were not mature enough to accept this coming-of-age film for its uniqueness and it proved to be a dud, which was understood only years later.

Mera Naam Joker

Raj Kapoor's 'Mera Naam Joker' was based on the life of joker and his feelings that he hides under the painted face. The film was 4 hours 15 mins, the longest Indian films ever made and had two intermissions. It took almost six years for Raj Kapoor to come up with this classic, only to be trashed by the viewers. But now of course, it's considered to be one of the most classic movies of all time.

Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!

'Oye Lucky Lucky Oye' was a flop at the time of its release. But Abahy Deol, Richa Chadda, and Paresh Rawal gave stellar performances and it was considered Dibakar Banerjee's finest works till date. The film won a National Award and is the favourite among the youth of the country.

Sholay

How much ever hard it is to believe, but the evergreen 'Sholay' too was actually a big-time flop when it first came out. However, after being helped additionally by a soundtrack release containing dialogue snippets, the film managed to become an overnight sensation.

Swades

'Swades' was not an entertainer. It had its moments but people considered it as a flop because of too much seriousness in it. But having a good message, content and idea, this film too was accepted by he audience eventually.

The Burning Train

This Ravi Chopra directed action film, released in 1980, when technology had not quite taken over the movie industry. The makers had to shoot with actual fire and yet, it was titled a dud. But what is a classic, remains a classic.

Umrao Jaan

'Umrao Jaan' is Rekha's finest work till date. The film, which was actually a poetry in motion, depicted Lucknow's rich cultural history. Even though, it was a flop, it may always remain a cult in its own sense.

Shaan

The film that gave us the villain of the century in the name of Shakaal, played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda. 'Shaan' had performances and songs that are still considered classic, but only due its comparison with 'Sholay', the film had to face a downfall at its release.

Silsila

Extra marital affair was a taboo and people couldn't accept a movie that supported such a topic. 'Silsila' was ahead of its time in so many ways and thus the flop status. But, whatever the case, with songs like 'Neela aasmaan so gaya', 'Dekha ek khwaab', 'Yeh kahaan aa gaye hum' and 'Rang barse', Silsila was one of the most romantic films from the Yash Raj banner.

Maqbool

This was Vishal Bhardwaj's brillaint Indian adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. It was a flop due to its darkness and unhappy ending, but Vishal did win international acclaim for this one.

Pakeezah

This Kamal Amrohi venture was a flop on its release and one of the reasons behind it was it tool 14 whole years to complete. This was Tragedy Queen, Meena Kumari's last film before her death and it gained popularity because of that.