What are the most successful low-budget Bollywood movies and why?

Tarein Zameen Par. Budgeted at INR 2.2 crores (around USD 880k), it went on to gross INR 88 crore. To give you some perspective, the most expensive Bollywood film made, Ra.One, had a budget of 135 crores, and other star filled, mainstream productions like Dabangg and Krrish were made using funds in the 30 to 50 crore range. With its clear writing, amazing influence and Aamir Khan's brand value, Tarein Zameen Par was one of the top grosses and definitely profit makers in recent memory.

first the answer of why is hidden quite well in the question. For me,, The reason that these low-budget movie are quite good is that they dont have superstars in their movies so they focus more on the story and its treatment rather than showing a STAR and his stupid stardom on screen. 1) Oye lucky lucky Oye ​ 2)  phas gaya re obama ! ​ 3) Gulaal ​ 4) Naa Ghar ke Naa Ghaat Ke ​ 5) Dasvidaniya ​ 6) Chalo Dilli ​ 7) Baraah Aana ​ 8) Ankhon Dekhi ​ An experience worth living, A movie worth watching, An actor worth appraising. Sanjay mishra also got national award for this movie and there are others like "Bheja Fry", "Khichdi", "yun hota to kya hota" etc etc

1.Vickey Donor Vicky donor was one of the low budget movie having around 5 crore as a budget. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayushmann_Khurrana and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yami_Gautam were in the main roles, both were working in their first bollywood movie. Collection on Box office of Vicky Donor was 66 crore. Movie also achieved some awards http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmfare_Award_for_Best_Supporting_Actor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anu_Kapoor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmfare_Award_for_Best_Story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juhi_Chaturvedi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmfare_Award_for_Best_Male_Playback_Singer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayushmann_Khurana http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmfare_Award_for_Best_Male_Debut: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayushmann_Khurana 2. Gangs of Wasseypur The budget of the movie was around 10 crore and the box office collection of the movie was around 55 crore (including both parts) Filmfare award for Best movie (critics) Filmfare award for Best Action Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor Female Richa Chaddha

Bheja Fry was made in a budget of just 60 lacs, and did a business of more than 8 crores. Now that really is something for a movie which had no big stars.

Monsoon Wedding directed by Mira Nair Movie Budget:                     US$1,200,000 Box office Collection:           US$30,787,356 A budget:collection ratio of 1:25 speaks a lot about commercial returns of the movie. Released in 2001, the movie focusses on an upper-middle class arranged marriage set up at a time when India is catching up with globalisation. Interestingly the movie was shot in only 30 days, across various locations in Delhi. Writer Sabrina Dhawan wrote the first draft of the screenplay in a week while she was at Columbia University's MFA film program. The movie was pleasantly acknowledged by critics and won several awards and nominations. (Source: Wikipedia) Won British Independent Film Award for Best Foreign Language Film Canberra International Film Festival - Audience Award (Mira Nair) Independent Spirit Awards - Producers Award (Caroline Baron) Venice Film Festival - Golden Lion (Mira Nair) Venice Film Festival - Laterna Magica Prize (Mira Nair) Nominated BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Language Film (Caroline Baron, Mira Nair) Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film European Film Award for Best Non-European Film (Mira Nair) Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film Satellite Award for Best Foreign Language Film

Yes low budget movies are always giving a plateform to yungesters as per their performances like in The Lunch Box, Udaan, Dum laga k haissa etc. But they always need a good story linings.      There must be some sources to get a chance in those movies too.

Jai Santoshi Maa:-Most of the people didn’t heard about this movie.This movie was made at the budget of 10 Lac and movies earned 5 crores across the India around 50 times of its budget. Its a record in itself This movies was released in 1975 along with the Sholay and you will be amazed by knowing that in first two week this movie was more successful then Sholay.It was emerged as the third highest grossing movies of 1975 after Sholay and Deewar.For me it is the most successful low budget movie

yes, i agree with your point that there is a shift in the mindset and people are getting influenced by the content and other factors than just stars. Some of the great movies which portray this are queen, tanu weds manu( 1 and 2), rock on,  a wednesday, etc.  They are successful because of content, story, acting, and a very fresh and unique perspective and storyline. thank you and keep smiling :D

Aashiqui 2 -budget of this movies is 6cr..and collected more than 100 cr. Iqbal-this movie is made of only 45 lakh and collected 45 crore at box office. pyaar ka panchnama-this movie is one of the best  movie of bollywood.made up of very low budget .it was  one of the biggest hit of 2011