Released in 2018, Tumbbad didn’t receive the attention it deserved when it first hit theaters. Although the audience who did watch it appreciated it, the film quickly vanished from the spotlight. However, COVID-19 turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
As the Indian audience developed an addiction to OTT platforms, Tumbbad resurfaced, and viewers showed their love. While it wasn’t too little, it was definitely too late. Tumbbad is a film that doesn’t necessarily appeal to everyone, but even the limited audience it could have reached missed out, as it was released in a very limited number of theaters.
What OTT did was prepare the audience for a film like this. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the audience wasn’t ready for a movie like Tumbbad—it was ahead of its time.
And Tumbbad isn’t the only one. A film like Laila Majnu flopped because the audience wasn’t ready for it. Even the 2011 adult comedy Delhi Belly flopped massively for the same reason—the audience simply wasn’t ready.
But things have changed. The audience is more mature now, at least when it comes to experimental films. Plus, Tumbbad has built a cult-like fanbase. The industry is seeing a trend of re-releases, and, as expected, dedicated fans are going to theaters to watch it.
So, why has Tumbbad built such a strong fanbase?
Tumbbad’s fanbase didn’t happen overnight. It’s a film that thrived on word-of-mouth, growing steadily as more people discovered its unique charm.
The movie’s haunting visuals and deeply rooted mythology were unlike anything Indian cinema had seen before, making it an instant hit with those who crave something more than the typical Bollywood fare. Tumbbad’s dark, atmospheric storytelling resonated with a niche audience, who then spread the word.
Over the past six years, Tumbbad has become a cult classic. With a budget of ₹5 Cr, the film grossed about ₹14 Cr. While the numbers were definitely profitable, the film should have received more respect.
We’ll be watching Tumbbad on August 30. Whether it has a successful run or falls flat, we’ll know in just four days. But the early reactions are definitely exciting—Tumbbad is set to have an exciting run.
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