Bombay Velvet: The ₹45 Crore Bollywood Disaster That Flopped Spectacularly

Bollywood is no stranger to big-budget flops, but few failures are as infamous as Bombay Velvet (2015). Made for a staggering ₹45 crore, starring A-listers Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, this ambitious film crashed at the box office, recovered less than half its budget, and was eventually released on YouTube. What went wrong?

The Grand Vision Behind Bombay Velvet

Directed by Anurag Kashyap (Gangs of Wasseypur), Bombay Velvet was a passion project set in 1960s Bombay. Inspired by historian Gyan Prakash’s Mumbai Fables, it promised a stylish noir tale of crime, jazz, and tabloid wars.

• Star Power: Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and Karan Johar (as a villain) generated huge buzz.
• Massive Budget: At ₹45 crore (excluding promotions), it was one of Bollywood’s costliest films.

Why Did Bombay Velvet Flop?

The film earned just ₹23 crore in India—far below its budget. Key reasons for its failure:

1. Weak Script & Confusing Plot

Critics called the story convoluted and slow-paced, alienating mainstream audiences.

2. Style Over Substance

While the 1960s sets and costumes were stunning, the emotional depth was missing.

3. Clash with Piku

Released alongside Piku (Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone), Bombay Velvet lost the box office battle.

4. Unmet Expectations

Fans expected another Gangs of Wasseypur, but got an experimental misfire instead.

Aftermath: From Theatres to YouTube

The film’s disastrous performance:
– Financial Losses: Contributed to the collapse of Phantom Films (2018).
– YouTube Release: The makers uploaded it for free within months—a rare move for a big Bollywood film.

Lessons from the Flop

• Story Matters More Than Stars – Big names can’t save a weak script.
• Budget Control is Crucial – Overspending doesn’t guarantee success.
• Hype ≠ Success – Marketing can’t compensate for poor execution.

Where Are the Stars Now?

• Ranbir Kapoor: Bounced back with Sanju (2018) and Brahmāstra (2022).
• Anushka Sharma: Found success in Sultan (2016) and Zero (2019).
• Anurag Kashyap: Returned with Manmarziyaan (2018) and Kennedy (2023).

Final Verdict: A Cult Flop

Though a commercial disaster, Bombay Velvet has a niche following. It remains a cautionary tale—and a curious case study—in Bollywood history.

Would you watch Bombay Velvet on YouTube? Or is it Bollywood’s biggest misfire? Share your thoughts!