In a twist of fate that’s got the Bollywood industry buzzing, the much-hyped thriller ‘The Lady Killer’ starring Bhumi Pednekar and Arjun Kapoor, which bombed at the box office, has found a surprising second life on YouTube.
Made on a budget of ₹45 crore, ‘The Lady Killer’ earned a mere ₹60,000 at the box office, making it a financial disaster. The film, directed by Ajay Bahl, was a major disappointment, selling only 293 tickets on its opening day across India. Adding insult to injury, it was even rejected by OTT platforms for digital streaming, with Netflix backing out after the film’s dismal performance.
Despite the bleak theatrical fate, ‘The Lady Killer’ was eventually released for free on YouTube in September 2024, and the response has been nothing short of astounding. In just a month, the film garnered over 2.4 million views, proving that the film found an audience online that the box office failed to capture.
Viewers have been taking to the comments section, showering praise on the film, particularly the performances of Bhumi Pednekar and Arjun Kapoor. Comments like “It’s a good one, c’mon guys he (Arjun Kapoor) did a great job I know he gave so many flops, but this one deserves appreciation” and “This movie was so good!,” are a testament to the fact that the film struck a chord with viewers, who found it entertaining and engaging.
This unexpected success begs the question: is Bollywood missing the mark? Is there a disconnect between the expectations of theatrical audiences and the tastes of online viewers? Perhaps the film’s late trailer release and lack of promotion hampered its theatrical release, but found a more receptive audience online. Regardless, ‘The Lady Killer’s’ journey from box office flop to YouTube sensation is a compelling example of how the dynamics of entertainment consumption are constantly evolving.
