In a surprising turn of events post-lockdown, the Bollywood film industry witnessed a small-budget triumph over heavyweight productions. ‘Munjya’, a horror-comedy produced by Amar Kaushik and directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, has emerged as a box office sensation, crossing the Rs 100 crore milestone within three weeks despite lacking A-list stars. Made on a modest budget of Rs 30 crore, the film has outperformed big-budget releases like ‘Maidaan’, ‘Chandu Champion’, and even ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’, marking a significant achievement in the Hindi film landscape.
Starring Abhay Verma, Sharvari, and Mona Singh, ‘Munjya’ draws inspiration from Marathi folklore, blending traditional tales with contemporary storytelling akin to its predecessors ‘Stree’ and ‘Bhediya’. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics upon its June 7 release, the film has garnered substantial audience support, experiencing remarkable weekend-to-weekend growth of over 80%. With global earnings nearing Rs 110 crore by its 17th day, industry insiders predict ‘Munjya’ could surpass the Rs 150 crore mark, solidifying its place as one of Bollywood’s most successful horror films to date.
The film’s success has been attributed to its concise runtime, strong word-of-mouth promotion, and favorable release timing amid a relatively quiet period in new releases. While upcoming films like ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ pose a challenge to its continued success, ‘Munjya’ has already carved out a historic niche in Bollywood’s horror genre.
