The recently released film, Ghoomer, got a positive response from the audience and critics alike, and yet, it failed at the box office, probably due to immense competition from Gadar 2. In its first week, it collected Rs. 4.03 crores. It held very well in the second weekend, prompting many theatres to increase its shows from the second Monday. Yet, its lifetime would not cross Rs. 10 crores.
Ghoomer is based on cricket, a sport which is considered to be a religion in India. Yet, most films based on cricket have failed at the box office. Bollywood Hungama, in this special report, lists out the 22 cricket-based films, including Ghoomer, that didn’t work at the box office.
NOTE - The films are arranged in the order of their release dates.
1. Ghoomer (2023):
The film had certain issues, but had it been released in any other week, it probably had chances of doing far better.
2. Shabaash Mithu (2022):
It was based on the life of Mithali Raj. Despite Taapsee Pannu’s fine act, the film sank without a trace, earning a paltry Rs. 2.23 crores.
3. Jersey (2022):
It was Shahid Kapoor’s immediate release after the blockbuster Kabir Singh (2019). Sadly, it had a poor opening of Rs. 2.93 crores and ended its run collecting just Rs. 19.68 crores. The film was a fine effort and trade believes that it got affected as it was released just a week after the monstrous hit, KGF - Chapter 2 (2022). Moreover, it came at a time when people had already seen the Hindi dubbed version of the original Telugu film of the same name released in 2019.
4. 83 (2021):
Though it collected Rs. 109.82 crores, it flopped due to high costs. While audiences in urban areas went gaga over the film, the Ranveer Singh-starrer didn’t find acceptance in B and C centres.
5. The Zoya Factor (2019):
It starred Sonam Kapoor and Dulquer Salmaan and told an interesting story. The viewers, however, were just not interested. Hence, it ended its run with just Rs. 3.12 crores.
6. Azhar (2016):
A lot was expected from it as it was based on the controversial episodes of Mohammed Azharuddin’s life. But the Emraan Hashmi-starrer didn’t deliver what was expected and tried to play safe. It had a lifetime collection of Rs. 33.03 crores.
7. Patiala House (2011):
It starred Akshay Kumar and rested on a great story and execution. But not many viewers thronged the cinemas to see the film. It was a flop, collecting Rs. 31.16 crores.
8. Dil Bole Hadippa (2009):
This was Shahid Kapoor’s first cricket film and just like Jersey, this one also failed. It was affected due to the clash with Wanted (2009) and poor script. It collected Rs. 23.35 crores.
9. Victory (2009):
It was Harman Baweja’s second film after Love Story 2050 (2008). His debut film at least made some noise. Victory, meanwhile, came, bombed and exited the theatres without any intimation. Its lifetime earnings were a horrible Rs. 1.34 crores.
10. Meerabai Not Out (2008):
It starred Mandira Bedi and was a small multiplex film. It came a week after the 26/11 attack amid many such multiplex movies and collected just Rs. 7.55 lakhs at the ticket window.
11. Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii (2007):
The Rahul Bose-starrer flopped due to negligible awareness and poor word of mouth. It collected Rs. 1.13 crores.
12. Say Salaam India (2007):
It was Subhash Kapoor’s directorial debut and was released during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. By the time it was released, India was already out of the tournament. Moreover, it was poorly promoted. Hence despite being a well-made entertainer, it collected Rs. 6.75 lakhs only. Say Salaam India was also Guneet Monga’s first film as a producer. She claimed that she recovered the cost by showing the film in several schools across North India.
13. Hattrick (2007):
It was Milan Luthria’s next after the much-loved film Taxi No 9211 (2006). It had an interesting star cast and its promos were quirky. Moreover, it was released when India was very much a part of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. However, due to low excitement and mixed word of mouth, its collections were Rs. 4.81 crores.
14. Iqbal (2005):
The Shreyas Talpade-starrer clashed with No Entry (2005). Yet, it got noticed and trended well. But the collections were just Rs. 3.86 crores and hence, it got a ‘Flop’ verdict.
15. Stumped (2003):
Starring Raveena Tandon, this cricket film was released two months after ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. It came without awareness and bombed due to terrible word of mouth. It earned just Rs. 6 lakhs in cinemas.
16. Awwal Number (1990):
It was directed, written and produced by Dev Anand and starred Aamir Khan in a pivotal role. Despite the presence of these names and good promotion, it didn’t work in cinemas.
17. Kabhie Ajnabi The (1985):
It starred Sandeep Patil as the lead and Syed Kirmani played a horrendous antagonist. It came less than two years after India’s win in the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Hence, this film was quite talked about. But it was massively panned and bombed big time.
18 All Rounder (1984):
It starred Kumar Gaurav and didn’t work commercially or critically.
Some other unsuccessful cricket films are as follows:
19. Kirket (2019):It featured former cricketer Kirti Azad playing himself and was about the importance of having more Biharis in the Indian Cricket Team. It flopped majorly everywhere, including Bihar.
20. 22 Yards (2019):It starred popular actor Barun Sobti and didn’t find an audience due to near-zero promotion and awareness.
21. World Cupp 2011 (2009):It starred newcomers, the promotion was limited and unexciting and on top of that, it clashed with Avatar(2009). No wonder it was an ‘also ran’.
22. Kirkit (2009):This Jackie Shroff-Sanjay Kapoor-Sayali Bhagat starrer, inspired by IPL, didn’t work in cinemas, and never got a chance on home video, satellite or OTT.
The exceptions
Thankfully, not all cricket films flopped. Very few of them worked and moreover, none of them were blockbusters. The list is as follows:
1. Sachin – A Billion Dreams (2017):
It was a documentary and yet, it earned a huge Rs. 50.89 crores. It gave an indication that a biopic on Sachin Tendulkar can emerge as one of the biggest hits of Indian cinema.
2. M S Dhoni – The Untold Story (2016):
Starring Sushant Singh Rajput, opened with a bang but due to issues with the second half, the film dropped after a fine weekend. With collections of Rs. 133.04 crores, it was declared a Hit.
3. Kai Po Che (2013):
It marked the debut of Sushant Singh Rajput. Though it starred all new names and seemed an urban fare, the film was well-promoted and moreover, its music had worked. It collected Rs. 49.67 crores and was a Semi Hit.
4. Ferrari Ki Sawaari (2012):
It was loved for its central idea and performances. It was a Semi-Hit, as it collected Rs. 28.10 crores. It’s the only solo success of Sharman Joshi till date.
5. Lagaan (2001):
This Aamir Khan-starrer needs no introduction. It’s a landmark film for Indian and even global cinema. Due to high costs, urban feel and competition from Gadar (2001), it earned Rs. 34.31 crores and was a Hit.
Cricket films on digital
Three cricket dramas were released directly on digital. While Torbaaz (2020) and Kacchey Limbu (2023) suffered a bit due to poor promotion, the Shreyas Talpde-starrer Kaun Pravin Tambe (2022) got immense appreciation.
The future
Anushka Sharma will be seen reprising cricketer Jhulan Goswami in Chakda ‘Xpress. It’ll be released on Netflix this year. There are reports that biopics on Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly are in the offing. Recently, it was also reported that Rajkumar Hirani’s next after Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki might be a biopic on Lala Amarnath, starring Aamir Khan. Knowing Rajkumar Hirani’s track record, if this film is indeed made, it could emerge as the first blockbuster cricket film.
More Pages: Ghoomer Box Office Collection , Ghoomer Movie Review
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