A big budget movie will perform well at the box office given the heavyweight names and banners supporting it. However, smaller budget movies stand the risk of either striking the right cord with the audience or going unnoticed. Numerous small budget movies – Raman Raghav 2.0, Freaky Ali, Banjo and Parched – entered the market and ended up with minimal box office collection. But there were a few movies that turned out to surprise the audience and trade analysts. Here's the list:
- Pink: Considered as the most impactful film of the year, the Amitabh Bachchan – Tapsee Pannu film started off slowly at the box office. But, with word of mouth, the movie's box office collections picked up thus resulting in a box office success. The story focusing on consensual sex touched the right key notes – women drinking, wearing the clothes they want and pre-marital sex. The film got raving reviews from critics and audience.
- Neerja: Based on real events, Neerja played by Sonam Kapoor won many hearts. The moving performance by Shabana Azmi and Sonam Kapoor made the movie a tear-jerking experience. To add the cherry on the top, the movie also starred Shekhar Ravjiani (of the Vishal–Shekhar duo) as the adorable boyfriend. The movie unexpectedly ruled the box office weeks after it was released.
- Baaghi: An attempt to portray the story of two rebellious souls – played by Shardha Kapoor and Tiger Shroff, Baaghi walks its way into the list of unexpected hits of the year. With feet-tapping songs, good chemistry between the lead and martial arts ruling the plot line, the film attracted many movie-goers to the theatres.
- Kapoor and Sons: Opening to a third best box office weekend of 2016, Kapoor and Sons surpassed all the expectations of trade analysts. Despite the movie coming from a big banner production house, film traders weren't expecting the movie to do so well. The family drama went on to attract not only youngster (given that it had Fawad Khan, Siddharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt) but many theatres were filled with families (due to the adorable role of Dadu, played by an unrecognizable Rishi Kapoor).
- Dear Zindagi: A Gauri Shinde presentation, Dear Zindagi focused on the importance of good mental health. Starring Shah Rukh Khan as Dr Jahangir Khan (a therapist) and Aia Bhatt (as Kaira), the film recovered its investment and is making more profit. After the success of English Vinglish (another small budget movie by Shinde), Dear Zindagi has kept the consistency of hit in the director's career going.
