83% Bollywood Films Flopped In 2011

The year gone by saw a total of 229 new films releasing, quite less as compared to the number of releases (250) in 2010. Of the 229 films, 72 were dubbed in Hindi from English or other Indian languages. There were 8 English films too, some of which were dubbed in Hindi too; and two were made in Hindi-English. In other words, there were 147 straight Hindi films. Of the 229 new releases, 220 were live action films, seven were animation films and two were live action-animation films.

Bodyguard was undoubtedly the highest grosser and also the biggest hit of 2011

2011: Hits & Flops

Bodyguard was undoubtedly the highest grosser and also the biggest hit of 2011. Ready, Singham, Murder 2and The Dirty Picture were the other big ones. Then there were Yamla Pagla Deewana and Ragini MMS also. If there were big-budget extravaganzas like Bodyguard and Ready which made the public go wild with excitement, there were also small and medium-budget fares like Ragini MMS, Murder 2, Tanu Weds Manuand The Dirty Picture, which brought smiles to the faces of the paying public as well as the industry people. Thankfully, the year did not have too many big bombs although there were a few like 7 Khoon Maaf, Patiala House, Aarakshan, Rascals, Thank You and Game.

Only 17% of the films released in 2011 did not lose any money

2011: Net Result

Although the year is being touted as having been great for the trade, in reality, only 17% of the films released did not lose any money. In other words, the percentage of films in the red continued to be high – 83%. The industry's final report card did not show a net profit. But it did not show any losses either. Although a large number (around 115) of Bollywood films – not taking into account dubbed Hindi versions – lost money as against those (30) which either made profit or broke even, the industry's total gains offset the total losses. Hence, the overall net result was: no profit, no loss. If in spite of such a high failure rate (83% if all films, including dubbed, are considered), the industry's report card still did not show a net loss, it was because of two reasons: some of the plus films made huge profits; and there weren't too many big disasters. Following is the detailed list of films which made money for their producers/distributors.

Super-Hit (AA): Bodyguard

Hit (A1): Ready, Singham, Murder 2, The Dirty Picture.

Semi-Hit (A): Yamla Pagla Deewana, Ragini MMS.

Overflow (BB): Tanu Weds Manu, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl.

Commission-Earner to Overflow (B1 to BB): Mission: Impossible – Gupt Vidhaan (dubbed), Harry Potter Aur Maut Ke Tohfe Part 2 (dubbed), Delhi Belly (Hinglish & dubbed), Samunder Ke Lootere: Ek Anjaan Rahasya (dubbed), Tintin – Karname Kamaal Ke (dubbed; animation), Don 2, Ra.One (losing in some circuits), Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, Double Dhamaal.

Commission-Earner (B1): Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dhobi Ghat (Hindi-English & dubbed), Haunted, No One Killed Jessica, Fast & Furious 5 (dubbed), X-Men: First Class (dubbed), Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Rise Of The Apes – Vinaash Ka Aarambh (dubbed).

Coverage to Commission-Earner (B to B1): Desi Boyz, Chalo Dilli, Bheja Fry 2, Yeh Saali Zindagi, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Stanley Ka Dabba, Damadamm!, Transformers: Chand Ka Andhera (dubbed).

Average (B): F.A.L.T.U., Force, Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji.

2011: Number of Hits & Flops At A Glance

2011: Box-Office Collections of Hits

For box-office verdicts of all the major Bollywood films of 2011, click here.

Komal Nahta, the Editor of Koimoi.com, is Bollywood's most trusted trade analyst & film reviewer. You can follow him on Twitter and check out his Video Blog.