Summary- Not every Bollywood movie wins our hearts, but sometimes its songs do. Check out this list of five films that may have failed at the box office but found their true success through unforgettable soundtracks.
Story and soundtracks play separate roles when it comes to a movie. Among the list of most hit bollywood songs, there are films whose stories never made it big upon release. Some movies hit the headlines for being box office hits (although they might not be considered hits by the masses), while others melt away in obscurity. However, there is always a movie that gets a second chance through its music. These are the exceptional ones where music transcends the movie it’s part of—tracks that lingered on our lips long after we’d lost interest in the plot. Here are 5 Bollywood movies that failed to win over audiences at the cinemas but emerged victorious in the battle for our playlists.
5. Murder – The Movie Fizzled, But the Songs Sizzled
When Murder was released in cinemas, it caused a decent amount of controversy for its explicit scenes and moral ambiguity. But the plot? Forgettable. What lingered was the music. Who doesn’t remember Bheege Honth Tere and Kaho Na Kaho? It possessed an intimacy and melody that resonated instantly with audiences. The kids who grew up in that era can’t stop themselves from humming the tune, though most don’t even know that the songs are from which movie. That is how widespread the album of this movie was. Eventually, the soundtrack became the calling card sound of early 2000s Bollywood romance.
4. Yaariyan – A Film You Can Possibly Do Without, A Playlist You Cannot
Yaariyan was all you’d want from a college-set Bollywood drama—silly plot, melodramatic characters, and little substance. But somehow, the music pierced through. Sunny, Sunny and Baarish quickly became the go-to songs at festivals, especially for young people. You’d hear them at every fest, every road trip, every party. Even till this day, Baarish is one of the most loved songs among romantic bollywood songs. The audio was such a hit that even TV serials adapted it, which also added to its boost. While the movie didn’t keep you awake, the soundtrack was embedded in youth culture.
3. Jagga Jasoos – A Confusing Story, An Impressive Score
There is no denying that Jagga Jasoos experimented. Combining detective drama with musical storytelling was daring, but a little too much for the average viewer. The plot of the movie went over the heads of many viewers. Though the movie was not a massive success in itself, the music told a different story. The song Galti Se Mistake became an era; the song was and is still one of the most listened to songs when we talk about party songs. The soft hum of Phir Wahi also left a lasting impression on the people. The music in this film created emotions which the story couldn’t.
2. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil – Emotions The Music Got Right
The film, with all its sheen and extravagance, left some people emotionally far removed. But the music spoke differently. Every song from this film has made its own fan base among the fans of bollywood songs. Whether it is the sentimental Channa Mereya or the superhit Break Up Song, each song made a history of its own. Back in 2016, when the album was released there was a big excitement among the people, the hype was massive. This led to having expectations for the story upon its release. However, the movie did not perform that well. But the audience was clearly more excited about the songs rather than the movie itself.
Also Read: Top 5 Movies That Beautifully Capture the Mother-Daughter Relationship
1. Roy – Dreamy Tracks, Dull Story
The theme of Roy was a mystery thriller, but it confused more than it thrilled. The plot strayed, and the movie was unable to keep audiences engaged. But where the movie couldn’t charm its audience, the music excellently did. Sooraj Dooba Hain was a big success in 2015, appearing on every list of hit bollywood songs and club nights, and Tu Hai Ki Nahi tapped into the pangs of love lost. How can we not mention Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan? It was played everywhere, be it award shows or daily soaps. The film might have disappeared in an instant, but its music has had some real staying power.
Final Thought: When Songs Outlive the Story
Music has always been close to the heart of Bollywood. Sometimes, it is how we remember films even more than the films themselves. These five films, although some were considered box office hits, might not have received standing ovations for their plots, but their music proved so good that it had the power to save an otherwise weak script. These melodies didn’t remain just a number in a movie; they have now become some of the classic bollywood songs. Many might not even know the movie behind the song, but they can continue singing the song without even seeing the lyrics.
Written by Kenbi Riba
