While movies with large budgets undoubtedly enhance a movie’s aesthetics, a movie’s enchantment usually lies in how and by whom it is made. Here are a few low-budget films that demonstrated that “content is king” when it comes to making money at the box office and were produced for less than Rs 10 crore:
1. Kahaani
Any movie starring Vidya Balan would work like magic. Despite having a budget of only Rs 8 crore, this crime thriller kept audiences on the edge of their seats till the very final scene and ended up making over Rs 104 crore at the box office.
2. Paan Singh Tomar
The biographical narrative of Paan Singh Tomar, which Irrfan Khan expertly portrayed and won national awards for, was produced for less than Rs 8 crores. At the box office, the film eventually made more than Rs 19 crores.
3. Bheja Fry
One of the few films that demonstrate how having ability and strong storytelling skills can overcome financial constraints. On a shoestring budget of just Rs 60 lakhs, the film starring Rajat Kapoor and Vinay Pathak ended up grossing over Rs 18 crores at the box office.
4. No One Killed Jessica
The primary actors in the biographical movie, which followed the events leading up to and following the death of model Jessica Lal, were Vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji. The film received numerous nominations and even ended up taking home several prizes. It had a production budget of slightly under 9 crores rupees, but after it was released, it brought in more than 46 crores.
5. Vicky Donor
The debut film of Ayushmann Khurrana is among the top debuts of all time. Ayushmann and Yami Gautam’s outstanding acting, inventive writing, and engaging storytelling ensured that a movie that cost barely Rs 5 crores to produce ended up grossing over Rs 67 crores.
6. Peepli Live
This comedy, which shed light on several pervasive social concerns and served as India’s entry for the 23rd Academy Awards, was produced on a shoestring budget of just Rs 10 crores and ended up grossing over Rs 48 crores at the box office.