A sleeper hit is a movie, television series, music release, video game, or some other entertainment product that was initially unsuccessful in the release but became a big success later on. In our case, we will only discuss the movies that were sleeper hits. They came, struggled for the right audience and when they actually found it, they ruled the silver screen.
The best part about these sleeper hits is that they didn’t require any pre-established audience or a big star. Here are Bollywood’s 11 sleeper hits of the past decade:
IMDb rating- 8/10
Award- National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
Plot- Nakul, a 25-year-old man, is dismayed to find that his mother is pregnant. His effort to come to terms with the news puts his relationship with his girlfriend, Renee, in danger.
Available on- Hotstar
IMDb rating- 8.3/10
Award- Zee Cine Award for Best Performance in Negative Role
Plot- Akash, a piano player acting to be visually-impaired, unconsciously becomes involved in a number of problems as he witnesses the murder of a former film actor.
Available on- Netflix
IMDb rating- 7.8/10
Award- Filmfare Award for Best Director
Plot- This movie is based on Harinder Sikka’s novel Calling Sehmat. Sehmat Khan, an undercover RAW agent, is married into a Pakistani family by her father so that she can capture some important pieces of information about the enemy.
Available on- Amazon Prime
IMDb rating- 8.1/10
Award- Un Certain Regard Avenir Prize
Plot- In Varanasi, Devi strives to shake off the social stigma of pre-marital sexual relations. Meanwhile, lovers Deepak and Shalu attempt to transcend the restrictions of their casteist society.
Available on- Netflix
IMDb rating- 7.6/10
Award- Big Star Most Entertaining Film Actor- Female
Plot- A road trip to Kolkata brings Piku, an architect, closer to her aging but nagging father Bhaskor Banerjee notwithstanding their different ideas and arguments over minor issues.
Available on- Sony Liv
IMDb rating- 8.2/10
Award- Filmfare Award for Best Actress
Plot- Rani is crushed after her fiance ditches her just before the wedding. Undeterred, she chooses to go on their honeymoon solo where she gets dragged out of her comfort zone and rediscovers herself.
Available on- Voot
IMDb rating- 8/10
Award- None
Plot- Rahul, a struggling actor, hunts for his daughter, Kali, after she goes missing. Shortly, he and Bose, her stepfather who is also a policeman, start to blame each other for abducting her.
Available on- Hotstar
IMDb rating- 7.6/10
Award- Nominated for Un Certain Regard Avenir Prize
Plot- Titli desires to break free from his gangster family and begin his life anew as a law-abiding citizen. Meanwhile, his enraged family makes him marry Neelu, and then he sees an instantaneous confidante in his wife.
Available on- Amazon Prime
IMDb rating- 8/10
Award- Filmfare Award for Best Story
Plot- Bauji opposes his daughter’s request to let her marry the man she admires as the villagers incessantly shame him. However, on meeting him, his opinion changes and he determines to become an unbiased individual.
Available on- Hotstar
IMDb rating- 7.8/10
Award- Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor
Plot- This story is of Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, a professor on whom a sting operation was carried out to determine his sexual orientation. He forms a special bond with the journalist who covers his story.
Available on- Amazon Prime
IMDb rating- 7.8/10
Award- None
Plot- Dr. Baldev, the owner of a fertility clinic and a sperm bank, is in quest of a good sperm donor. His search ends when he meets Vicky, a handsome young Punjabi boy.
Available on- Voot
IMDb rating- 7.7/10
Award- None
Plot- This is the story of three roommates Nishant, Rajat, and Vikrant who already have girlfriends in Charu, Neha, and Rhea respectively. The problem begins when the guys sense that their girlfriends are controlling them.
Available on- Netflix
IMDb rating- 8.2/10
Award- Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film
Plot- A gangster Sardar Khan fights with the cruel, coal-mining kingpin Ramadhir Singh who murdered Sardar’s father. What follows is a series of ruthless bloodshed as both the families fight for justice.
Available on- Voot
Each one of these sleeper hits built a good reputation and got business to their respective production houses with time and positive feedback. Do watch these if you haven’t watched them yet!
