Over the years, several low-budget Bollywood films have surprised audiences with powerful storytelling, strong performances, and gripping plots. Scroll ahead to explore such incredible films.
The Kashmir Files (Zee5): Written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri, The Kashmir Files released on March 11 and emerged as one of 2022’s biggest hits. The film highlights the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in the 1990s. Featuring Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, and others, it was made on a budget of Rs 15 crore. (Image: IMDb)
Tanu Weds Manu (Netflix): Starring R. Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut, Tanu Weds Manu became an instant hit upon release. Directed by Aanand L. Rai and produced by Shailesh R. Singh, the comedy-drama follows a feisty small-town woman who marries an NRI doctor. Made on a budget of Rs 17 crore, the 2011 blockbuster went on to earn Rs 88.72 crore at the box office. (Image: IMDb)
Stree (JioCinema): Stree, a horror-comedy starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, became a major hit despite its low budget. Inspired by an 1980s Bengaluru legend about a mysterious female spirit, the film was made on Rs 20 crore and emerged as one of the biggest horror hits ever. Directed by Amar Kaushik, it also featured Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee, earning Rs 180.76 crore at the box office. (Image: IMDb)
Vicky Donor (Amazon Prime Video): Directed by Shoojit Sircar, Vicky Donor marked the Bollywood debut of Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam. Released in 2012, the film tackled the sensitive topic of sperm donation and infertility. Made on a budget of Rs 15 crore, the romantic comedy became a commercial success, earning Rs 66.32 crore. (Image: IMDb)
Secret Superstar (Netflix): Produced by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, Secret Superstar tells the story of a young girl, played by Zaira Wasim, who dreams of becoming a singer and shares her talent on YouTube while hiding behind a niqab. Addressing themes like feminism, gender equality, and domestic violence, the film was made on a budget of Rs 15 crore and went on to earn Rs 965 crore worldwide, becoming India’s biggest hit of 2017. (Image: IMDb)
Bareilly Ki Barfi (Zee5): Starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao, and Kriti Sanon, Bareilly Ki Barfi is a romantic comedy directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. Made on a Rs 20 crore budget, the film follows a free-spirited Bareilly girl who falls for an author admired for his progressive views on women and society. Enlisting the help of a local printing press owner to find him, she embarks on a charming journey of love. The film was praised by critics and audiences alike, earning Rs 58.75 crore. (Image: IMDb)
Paan Singh Tomar (Netflix): Paan Singh Tomar is a gripping tale of a National-level athlete who, forced by circumstances, becomes a dacoit. Irrfan Khan delivered a stellar performance, earning the National Film Award for convincingly portraying the transition from hero to outlaw. Made on a modest budget of Rs 7 crore, the film grossed Rs 20.18 crore at the box office. It also featured Mahie Gill, Vipin Sharma, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in pivotal roles. (Image: IMDb)
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (Zee5): Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar, charmed audiences with the duo’s on-screen chemistry. Tackling the subject of erectile dysfunction, the comedy-drama was made on a Rs 25 crore budget and went on to earn Rs 64 crore. (Image: IMDb)
