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From Hanuman Ansh to Tumbbad: 7 Films That Became Unexpected Sleeper Hits
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News18•25-09-2026, 11:37
From Hanuman Ansh to Tumbbad: 7 Films That Became Unexpected Sleeper Hits
- •Some films, despite little initial fanfare, gradually gain immense popularity through word-of-mouth, becoming major box office successes.
- •12th Fail (2023) and Munjya (2024) are recent examples of films that started quietly but achieved significant success due to strong audience reception.
- •Tumbbad (2018) and Andhadhun (2018) initially had modest releases but developed cult followings and international success, respectively.
- •Bheja Fry (2007) is an early instance of a small film succeeding through unique premise and audience engagement, predating social media's influence.
- •Kantara (2022) and Hanu-Man (2024) demonstrate how regional films and stories rooted in Indian mythology can achieve pan-India and global success through audience recommendations.
Key Questions Answered
Hanuman Ansh is a devotional drama that opened with a meager ₹10 lakh and initially lost screens in its second week before word-of-mouth recommendations drove its collections past ₹300 crore worldwide by September.
Starring Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar, 12th Fail arrived in theatres in October 2023 and was based on the real-life story of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma.
Hanu-Man released during the crowded Sankranti festival period in January 2024 without major star power or massive marketing, yet it connected strongly with audiences to become a major box-office success with worldwide earnings exceeding ₹300 crore.
