Top 5 critically acclaimed films that failed at BO

In the last 2 decades, a number of films in Bollywood have been appraised critically and garnered a cult following. Some have them have also featured on the All Time Favourite and Must See Bollywood Movies list. But its an interesting fact that not all such movies succeeded at the Box Office. Here is a collection of Top 5 movies from this category.

1. Swades: We, the People

A film inspired from real life, is a story of a successful Indian scientist who returns to an Indian village to take his nanny to America with him and in the process rediscovers his roots. Swades is a unique experiment with grass root realism. The film is all about Ashutosh Gowariker's excellence and Shah Rukh Khan coming into his own as an actor to deliver one of his best performance till date. The film flopped at the box office due to its offbeat theme and non-commercial nature and could only manage a worldwide gross collection of Rs. 23 Cr.

"Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress."

2. Khamoshi: The Musical

A story of a girl whose life is divided into two worlds — one with her parents who are deaf and mute and the other of music and love. The movie, directorial debut of Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a gem. It contains some of the best ensemble acting in a Hindi movie. Not only are the individual actors brilliant, they mesh together like parts in a Swiss watch. Each actor (Nana Patekar, Seema Biswas, Salman Khan, Manisha Koirala and Helen) while producing his or her best never try to dominate the others lending to some brilliant teamwork.

"When music breaks the barriers of silence"

3. Johnny Gaddar

The story is about a gang of five that run a gambling club and conduct other underhand deals. The plot revolves around a possible drug deal which could earn each member a profit of Rs. 50 lakh which results in lies, deceit, betrayal and death. Its an Indian crime thriller noir film written and directed by Sriram Raghavan. The film is a tribute to Vijay Anand's influence on the Hindi noir/thriller genre. Raghavan himself had confessed wanting to shoot the whole film in Black and White. The color Red is used predominantly in the movie, as a homage to Sin City. Johnny Gaddaar is a delicious thriller and its biggest strength is its unpredictability.

"It’s not the years , it’s the mileage"

4. Andaaz Apna Apna

Few comedies are widely regarded as being the best of all time as Andaz Apna Apna, which is a cult film if there ever was one belonging to the genre. Aptly named (the title means 'to each his own [mannerism]'), it aimed to entertain from the very first frame to the very last, and succeeded overwhelmingly in so doing. The plot revolves around two conmen who compete for the hand of a heiress and in turn get drawn into love - and into trying to save her from an evil criminal.

"Teja Main hoon, Mark Idhar hai"

Aamir Khan and Salman Khan were perfectly cast, and in retrospect, it's difficult to imagine anyone else in their shoes. If you've ever liked any film with either, consider this mandatory viewing. Andaz Apna Apna is a genuinely well-crafted comedy that hammered away at its mission. The jokes get funnier with repeat viewings. Surprisingly, there is more to appreciate each time.

5. Dil Se

Dil Se is said to be a journey through the 7 shades of love that are defined in ancient Arabic literature. Those shades are defined as attraction, infatuation, love, reverence, worship, obsession, and death. The character played by Shahrukh Khan passes through each shade during the course of the film. The film is a dramatisation of the attraction between a character from the heart of India and another from a peripheral state and a representation of opposites in the eyes of the law and society.

"I like the distance between us. Without it, I wouldn't have a reason to come close"

As with most Mani Ratnam films, the plot isn't simply a love story. Dil Se is also about idealism and the birth of the terrorist -- simplified to a great extent, but neatly executed. It is the third in Ratnam's trilogy of terror films that depict human relationships against a background of Indian politics, after Roja and Bombay. It is not as touching as Roja, or as intense as Bombay, however, a better-made film, by a director using his craft to tell a rather stupendous love story. The entire feel of the film is appropriately poetic, with a few romantic exchanges standing out quite memorably. The acting in the film is top-notch.