After the theatres reopened post the Covid-19 enforced lockdowns, the general perception was that in order to lure audiences to the theatres, bigger films were needed. The failures of slice-of-life films like Laal Singh Chaddha or low-budget films such as Roohi were cited as examples. But 2022-23 changed that as smaller films like The Kashmir Files and Kantara came roaring back. This year, too, one small Bollywood film has outdone big budget films of superstars at the box office, and it has done so without any big star.
The Rs 30-crore film beating Maidaan, Chandu Champion
Munjya, a horror-comedy from producer Amar Kaushik and director Aditya Sarpotdar, has been a smashing success at the box office. The film, set in the same universe as Stree and Bhediya, has crossed Rs 100 crore at the box office in under three weeks. Made on a budget of just Rs 30 crore, this signifies a great success for the film. Munjya’s box office earnings have already surpassed bigger films like Maidaan (Rs 68 crore) and Chandu Champion (Rs 60 crore and counting). It has even crossed the Rs 102 crore earned by Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, the most expensive Bollywood film produced this year.
The key behind Munjya’s success
Munjya stars Abhay Verma in the lead alongside Sharvari and Mona Singh in supporting roles. Based on Marathi folklore, Munjya is a horror-comedy that merges folk traditions and tales with modern storytelling, similar to Stree and Bhediya, its predecessors. Even as it opened to mixed reviews from critics when it released on June 7, the audiences lapped it up. It registered jumps of over 80% on all the three Saturdays since its release so far. In its 17th day, it has already earned close to Rs 110 crore worldwide and trade insiders predict, it can easily cross the Rs 150-crore mark.
The key to its success has been a short runtime and good word of mouth, which has sustained it. The absence of bigger releases to replace it has also helped its run so far. The release of Kalki 2898 AD across India this week is sure to hit its earnings but by then, the film would have etched its name in Bollywood history as one of the most successful Hindi horror films of all time.
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