This Re-Release Beats Bollywood Classics to Become 2024’s Biggest Surprise

The year 2024 has seen a wave of re-releases in Indian cinema, with classic films returning to the big screen and rekindling nostalgia among audiences. Iconic movies like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Veer-Zaara, Jab We Met, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara have captivated fans again, bringing in significant box office earnings. However, the biggest surprise this year has been the unexpected dominance of a niche horror film, Tumbbad, which surpassed many star-studded classics in terms of revenue and ticket sales.

Tumbbad Outshines Big Re-Releases

Rahi Anil Barve’s Tumbbad, starring Sohum Shah, has emerged as the top-grossing re-release in 2024. Originally released in 2018, the film was made on a modest budget of ₹5 crore and grossed ₹15 crore during its initial run. Upon re-release, Tumbbad collected an impressive ₹38 crore, beating several heavyweights like Ranbir Kapoor’s Rockstar (₹10.50 crore), Shah Rukh Khan’s Kal Ho Naa Ho (₹2.50 crore), and Chiranjeevi’s cult classic (₹3.20 crore). The only film that came close was the Tamil blockbuster Ghilli, which earned ₹26 crore.

The re-release of Tumbbad also broke records in ticket sales. It sold over 10.25 lakh tickets, far surpassing its competitors. In comparison, Ghilli sold 4 lakh tickets, Rockstar sold 3 lakh, and Kal Ho Naa Ho, which is still running in theatres, sold over 1 lakh tickets. Other notable films, like Gabbar Singh and Murari, sold 2.10 lakh and 2.58 lakh tickets respectively.

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Apart from its box office success, Tumbbad has been celebrated for its artistic excellence. The film was nominated in eight categories at the 64th Filmfare Awards, winning three trophies for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Sound Design. These accolades reflect the film’s unique storytelling and technical brilliance.

Tumbbad stands out not just for its success but also for its journey. The film, which took six years to complete, tells a gripping tale of greed, folklore, and horror. It features an ensemble cast including Sohum Shah, Dhundiraj Prabhakar Jogalekar, Jyoti Malshe, Madhav Hari, Harsh K, Piyush Kaushik, and Rudra Soni.

Tumbbad 2: The Sequel Fans Have Been Waiting For

With its re-release success, Tumbbad has also announced its much-awaited sequel, Tumbbad 2, in September 2024. Fans are eager to see how the filmmakers expand the haunting universe that made the original a cult classic.

While evergreen classics like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Jab We Met continue to tug at heartstrings, Tumbbad’s unexpected dominance shows that Indian audiences are open to re-discovering niche gems. This success highlights the evolving tastes of viewers, who are increasingly drawn to unique storytelling and visually stunning films.

The year 2024 has proven that re-releases can create fresh waves of excitement and revenue in the Indian film industry. While nostalgia plays a big role, the remarkable success of Tumbbad reaffirms that great storytelling and artistic vision can stand the test of time.