The box office figures of The Sky is Pink are out and it is pretty muchy disappointing. What hurts us more as film buffs is that The Sky is Pink is a really good movie, and nearly every review of the film had been positive. Critics have been raving about the movie ever since it had its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year, and the plaudits followed the movie home when it came out in the theatres in India on October 11. Both our reviews of this Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar-starrer, one straight from TIFF 2019, have been highly appreciative of the bitter-sweet tale of a family trying to cope with life-altering disease of their daughter. The Sky Is Pink Review: This Priyanka Chopra And Farhan Akhtar’s Emotional Film Will Win You Over!

The box office has been a different story altogether for The Sky is Pink. After its opening weekend, The Sky is Pink only managed to make Rs 10.70 crore, which is quite disappointing for such a  good movie. What's more the movie is not even enticing the multiplex audiences, which has been the target audience.

The Sky is Pink is one of the strange examples of the growing disconnect between the critics and the mainstream audiences. In the past couple of years, there have been films that have been hailed by the critics but failed to work at the box office. Sure, there are some rare examples like AndhaDhun and Badhaai Ho that have been spectacular successes, but the disappointments loom larger. Here are seven more Bollywood films in the last two years that got high acclaim from the critics but failed to work at the box office.

Sonchiriya

Abhishek Chaubey has never made a bad movie till now, with his films from Ishqiya to Udta Punjab winning over the critics for their unorthodox treatment and dark sense of humour. His latest, Sonchiriya, a dacoit drama had also received highly positive reviews.

Ranvir Shorey and Sushant Singh Rajput in Sonchiriya

But the box office was a different story altogether. Despite having starring names like Sushant Singh Rajput and Bhumi Pednekar, Sonchiriya only managed to make a measly Rs 6.60 crore at the box office.

Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota

Before it reached the Indian shores, Vasan Bala's whimsical take on vigilantes and superheroes was highly lauded during its international festival run. It even won the People's Choice Award: Midnight Madness at the the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.

Radhika Madan in Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota

In India, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, starring Gulshan Devaiah, Abhimanyu Dassani and Radhika Madan, was screened at MAMI, where again, it received standing ovation. The movie also got very positive reviews from the critics. At the box office, though, the film only managed to make Rs 2.03 crore, which is sad to say the least.

Tumbbad

Sohum Shah's Tumbbad is not only one of the best Indian films to come out in recent times, but I could go and say it is the best Indian horror film of the century. The fantasy horror movie received really good reviews from the international critics, as well as in India.

Sohum Shah in Tumbbad

At the domestic box office, Tumbbad only managed to make Rs 13.57 crore, which, thanks to its controlled budget and overseas collections, does make it profitable. However, seeing the quality of the film, we really wish Tumbbad would have done much, much better.

Manmarziyaan

Anurag Kashyap's first mellow live-action movie, Manmarziyaan, is a love triangle involving characters played by Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal.

Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal in Manmarziyaan

Marmarziyaan, that was said to be inspired by the love story of Amrita Pritam and Sahir Ludhianvi, was warmly received by the critics. At the box office, it made about Rs 27.09 crore, barely able to recoup its costs.

October

Shoojit Sircar's October is a surreal take on life and death, of the unexpected relationships that are built on rather strange blocks. Varun Dhawan's disarming performance is the highlight of the movie, and it released to rave reviews from the critics.

Varun Dhawan and Banita Sandhu in October

At the box office, October earned about Rs 39.06, which is not bad considering how films in this list has performed. But considering it is a movie starring Varun Dhawan, October is his least grossing film as a lead.

Laila Majnu

Good old love stories are not a rage anymore. Otherwise Laila Majnu would never have found a place in the list. With the creative involvement of Imtiaz Ali and Ekta Kapoor, Laila Majnu was a new-age spin on the famous folklore, albeit not ruining the essence of what made the tale of the star-crossed lovers so evergreen.

Avinash Tiwary and Tripti Dimri in Laila Majnu

The movie had really awesome soundtrack, and an excellent performance from its lea actor, Avinash Tiwary. Laila Majnu also got good reviews from the critics, but its box office performance was a true disappointment with the film earning only a paltry Rs 2.89 crore.

Mukkabaaz

Another Anurag Kashyap movie finds a place in this list. Mukkabaaz is a love story set against the searing relevance of social and cast divide, with the game of boxing providing the backdrop.

Viineet Kumar and Zoya Hussain in Mukkabaaz

The film was hailed for its narrative and the performances of the lead cast, especially that of Viineet Kumar. At the box office, though, Mukkabaaz only managed to collect Rs 10.51 crore.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 15, 2019 08:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).