Some movies hit the headlines for being boxfice hits (although they might not be considered hits by the masses), while others melt away in obscurity. However, there is always a movie that gets a second chance through its music. These are the exceptional ones where music transcends the movie it’s part of—tracks that lingered on our lips long after we’d lost interest in the plot. Here are 6 Bollywood movies that failed to win over audiences at the cinemas but emerged victorious in the battle for our playlists.
1. Murder – The Movie Fizzled, But the Songs Sizzled
When Murder was released in cinemas, it caused a decent amount of controversy for its explicit scenes and moral ambiguity. But the plot? Forgettable. What lingered was the music. Numbers like Bheege Honth Tere and Kaho Na Kaho possessed an intimacy and melody that resonated instantly with audiences. Even people who disliked the film found themselves singing the tunes. Eventually, the soundtrack became the calling card sound of early 2000s Bollywood romance.
2. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil – Emotions The Music Got Right
Karan Johar’s foray into the dark alleys of one-sided love and friend-zoning didn’t appeal to everyone. The film, with all its sheen and extravagance, left some people emotionally far removed. But the music spoke differently. Channa Mereya became a divorce anthem, while Bulleya breathed soul into the bewilderment of love. The soundtrack ultimately captured the film’s themes better than the script ever did.
3. Jagga Jasoos – A Vexing Story, A Splendid Score
There is no denying that Jagga Jasoos experimented. Combining detective drama with musical storytelling was daring, but a little too much for the average viewer. The offbeat structure of the film made it difficult to follow, but the songs did just the opposite. From the light-hearted Galti Se Mistake to the wistful Phir Wahi, the music created emotions that the story could not. While the film baffled most people, the songs ended up being surprise hits.
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4. Yaariyan – A Film You Can Possibly Do Without, A Playlist You Cannot
Yaariyan was all you’d want from a college-set Bollywood drama—silly plot, melodramatic characters, and little substance. But somehow, the music pierced through. Sunny, Sunny and Baarish became festival anthems overnight, particularly among the youth. You’d hear them at every fest, every road trip, every party. While the movie didn’t keep you awake, the soundtrack was embedded in youth culture.
5. Roy – Dreamy Tracks, Dull Story
Roy was sold as a mystery thriller, but it confused more than it thrilled. The plot meandered, and the movie was unable to keep audiences engaged. But where the movie faltered, the music excelled. Sooraj Dooba Hain was ubiquitous in 2015, appearing on gym playlists and club nights, and Tu Hai Ki Nahi tapped into the pangs of love lost. The film might have disappeared in an instant, but its music has had some real staying power.
6. Dhadak – A Remake Remembered for Its Music, Not Its Story
Being a remake of the Marathi blockbuster Sairat, Dhadak arrived with high-flying expectations. Sadly, it failed to match the depth of emotion in the original. It was perceived by many as being short of the raw and realistic feel that made Sairat stand out. But something Dhadak did get right was its music. The title song was sweet and lingered, and Zingaat, a reworked version of the Marathi original, set every dance floor ablaze. Although the film did not leave an indelible mark, the music did.
Final Thought: When Songs Outlive the Story
Music has always been close to the heart of Bollywood. It’s how we remember films at times more than the films themselves. These seven films, although some are considered box office hits, might not have received standing ovations for plot, but their music proved to be so good that it has the power to save an otherwise bad script. Long after the end credits rolled, it’s the songs that lingered in our minds.
Writer- Subham Choudhary