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There was a time in Indian film history when audiences looked down upon movies like Tamasha, Guppy, Devadoothan, and Laila Majnu, and collectively said, "Naahhh... maybe later. It was a waste of time and money." And apparently, by "maybe later," we, the audience, meant after a range of emotional breakdowns, millions of Instagram edits, evolving perspectives, and re-releases with sold-out tickets.

Indian cinema is going through its biggest "Sorry, we judged too quickly" phase. Movies that were once disappointments among audiences are making a huge comeback through re-releases, Instagram edits, and massive response from audience which once ignored them. The same films are being rediscovered like hidden treasures. Gen Z is considering movies like Tamasha and Rockstar as their sacred texts.

The same audience that ignored Laila Majnu in 2018 is now posting reels from the movie with captions and comments like: "I'm addicted." "This movie changed my DNA." "A classic of all time." "It can never be recreated."

The movies that struggled to survive even a week are now all over social media. Because, apparently, some movies are not made for that generation. Every scene, every song, every hum is now being embraced from these movies. And maybe these movies are sitting in heaven like: "Oh! Now you get it?"

Pinterest | Tamasha made a huge come comeback
Tamasha: The soul of lost corporate employeesIn 2015, people expected Tamasha to be a cute romantic movie; instead, Imtiaz Ali gave the audience a taste of an existential crisis. It was an utter flop movie, collecting around ₹67 crore, less than its actual budget. Fast forward to 2025, and it has made a major comeback, questioning old judgments and giving audiences a reality check. Now every second reel has: "Andar se kuch aur hi hain hum. Aur bahar se - majboor." (“From within, we are someone else, and on the outside - we are helpless.”) Every other person thinks they are Ved after a bad internship. The movie became highly relatable to audiences.

Pinterest | Big B rules the reels
Big B: Bilal runs sigma Instagram edits"Kochi pazhaya Kochi ayirikkum… pakshe Bilal pazhaya Bilal alla (Kochi may still be the old Kochi… but Bilal is not the old Bilal anymore.)" This single dialogue has generated millions of reels and edits. In 2007, during its release, people considered it a problematic and over-stylised movie. It was considered an average movie, with collections of around ₹6-7 crores worldwide. But now? The same style and energy are worshipped by many.

Pinterest | Rockstar, biggest re-release hit
Rockstar: A movie that created a trend of sad guitar boysRockstar, released in 2011, was appreciated for its songs, but audiences weren't fully fond of the storytelling. It was considered an above-average movie, collecting around ₹108 crores worldwide. But now, Kun Faya Kun runs in every third reel. The movie has become an emotion. Ranbir Kapoor’s acting is being appreciated throughout the internet.


Guppy: An underrated gemThis 2016 movie was considered one of the biggest flops in the Malayalam film industry. But now, after its re-release and millions of social media edits, it is considered one of the most beloved coming-of-age movies. This movie sparked a trend of breeding guppy fish in households across Kerala. Now, every cinema lover is like, “Bro, trust me, it’s an underrated must-watch movie.”

Pinterest | Laila Majnu, an epic ruling the Gen Z
Laila Majnu: A mine of sad editsReleased in 2018, this movie was considered a disappointment, collecting around ₹2-3 crores worldwide. The movie hardly survived in theatres. What happened suddenly? The same audience that rejected the movie is now saying, “This is a classic.” “Where were we in 2018?” “Nothing can replace this masterpiece.” Now, Instagram is filled with Avinash Tiwary running through the snow, screaming in pain. “Tum meri ho Laila” (“You are mine, Laila”) is banging in our ears.

Pinterest | Devadoothan, an underrated movie
Devadoothan: A massive comebackWhen Devadoothan was released in 2000, people simply didn’t understand it. Now, people celebrate it as Gothic Malayalam royalty. This masterpiece was re-released in 2024 and crossed the threshold of becoming a hit movie. People highly appreciated the film and described it as a movie ahead of its time, technically brilliant, and one of the most atmospheric Malayalam films ever made.

Pinterest | Swades, Shah Rukh Khan masterpiece
Swades: A film that hits you with adulthoodDuring its release in 2004, the film was considered an average to semi-flop movie. The movie was entirely different from what Shah Rukh Khan had done in his other films. That backfired on the expectations of the audience, which led to its failure. It collected around ₹34 crores worldwide. But today, it is considered one of Shah Rukh Khan’s best performances. The movie became relatable because it talked about burnout, identity crises, and finding purpose in life. The train water sequence and the emotional climax are trending on social media.

ChatGPT | Expected to re-release soon Guru: A film that aged with wisdom“Kannullavar andharayi jeevikkunnu… (Those who can see are living like the blind.)” Listening to these lines, thoughts rush through our minds. The words narrow down to Guru. Unfortunately, people in 1997 didn’t appreciate the movie enough. Today, this movie is considered gold. It actually made people think and understand the essence of the film. Guru was the first Malayalam film selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars. The movie is expected to be re-released soon.

Maybe the movies didn’t fail; timing didThe funniest part about all these movies is that audiences now proudly defend the movies that they ignored before. These movies are a few examples; there are far more to discuss. A movie can fail in theatres, disappear for years, and still return stronger than ever through nostalgia, re-release, streaming culture and social media.