Sometimes the most memorable movie-watching experiences are the ones you never saw coming. A select group of films has transcended low-key releases and limited pre-release buzz to become genuine box office phenomena and audience favorites. These are the dark horses that prove the power of a strong story and a well-executed vision.
Films like KGF, a high-octane action saga, surprised audiences with its raw intensity and grand scale, creating a pan-Indian franchise from a regional Kannada film. The film featured Yash, an unknown name in the Telugu States and the Hindi belt. Prashanth Neel's vision did the magic.
Sita Ramam, a period romantic drama, was a stark contrast to the genre's usual fare. Starring Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur, the Hanu Raghavapudi directorial was a total surprise. Nobody expected the film to have a super-engaging plot.
The mythological superhero film HanuMan and the fantasy epic Bimbisara both leveraged their unique concepts and ambitious visual storytelling to win over audiences. The former was directed by Prasanth Varma and was expected to be crushed by Mahesh Babu's Guntur Kaaram. Bimbisara had Kalyanram Nandamuri in the lead.
Smaller gems also feature on this list. Committee Kurrollu connected with a new generation through its nostalgic and relatable coming-of-age comedy-drama. Karthi's Khakee, a gritty cop thriller based on real events, was lauded for its realistic approach. Similarly, Sai Dharam Tej's Virupaksha, a taut and suspenseful horror-thriller, had audiences on the edge of their seats, proving that a compelling mystery can be more powerful than star power alone.
