5 Times Terrible Movies Made Way More Money Than Good Films In 2023, Because Mediocrity Sells

Remember that childhood game where you saved up all your marbles, only to watch your friend with one lucky marble scoop up the entire pot? Bollywood’s box office in 2023 felt a bit like that. Some movies, despite being rough around the edges and riddled with clichés, raked in millions, while others, filled with heart and grit, struggled to even fill the popcorn stands. Let’s take a look at some of these box office head-scratchers, where sparkle outshone substance:

1. The Muscle vs. The Mind: Animal, a testosterone-fueled saga reeking of outdated machismo and forgettable plot twists, flexed its way to a whopping 537 crores.

Meanwhile, 12th Fail, a true story of resilience and triumph against all odds, managed a respectable but distant 52 crores. It’s like watching a gym bro bench press a car while a bookworm scribbles a life-changing poem in the corner – both impressive feats, but one gets way more applause.

2. Fiction vs. Fact: Jawan, a movie about a superhero soldier who could probably punch Thanos into oblivion, raked in a cool 640 crores.

Meanwhile, Sam Bahadur, a tribute to one of India’s real-life military legends, Sam Manekshaw, had to settle for a mere 85 crores. It’s like comparing a flashy comic book cover to a Pulitzer Prize-winning biography – both tell stories, but one gets you instant gratification, while the other leaves a lasting impact.

3. Spy Games vs. Real Struggles: SRK’s Pathaan, a spy thriller with more plot holes than a Swiss cheese factory, managed to outshine Dunki, a poignant social drama about the plight of illegal immigrants. Pathaan raked in 543 crores, while Dunki had to make do with 189 crores. It’s like choosing a bag of potato chips over a home-cooked meal – both satisfy temporarily, but one leaves you feeling empty and the other nourishes your soul.

4. Big Names vs. Big Stories: Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, a family drama that felt like a rehash of every KJo movie ever made, collected 153 crores. In contrast, Mission Raniganj, based on a real-life rescue mission, could only muster 31 crores. It’s like comparing a well-worn designer handbag to a handmade backpack filled with travel memories – one boasts labels, the other whispers stories.

5. Nostalgia vs. Reality: Gadar 2, a Sunny Deol action flick riding the wave of its predecessor’s success (despite offering nothing new), raked in a massive 525 crores. Meanwhile, Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway, a gut-wrenching story of a mother fighting for her children, could only manage 19 crores. It’s like choosing a rerun of your favorite childhood cartoon over a documentary about climate change – one offers comfort, the other challenges you to think.

These box office battles raise a question: does spectacle always trump substance? Do we, as viewers, prioritize entertainment over meaningful stories? While there’s no right or wrong answer, it’s worth pondering as we head into another year of movie magic. Perhaps, just like that childhood game, we can learn to appreciate the value of both the lucky marble and the carefully crafted one. After all, a diverse mix of stories, good or bad, makes the cinematic pot a whole lot more interesting.