In a surprising turn of events, Kiran Rao’s rural dramedy Laapataa Ladies has outperformed Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s highly anticipated, big-budget action film Animal on Netflix. This unexpected triumph comes as a comfort to Rao, especially after facing harsh criticism from Vanga earlier in the year. Despite being branded as a ‘low-budget’ film, Laapataa Ladies has amassed more views on the streaming platform than its big-budget competitor, showcasing the unpredictable nature of audience preferences.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, which was released in theaters in December, quickly set new box office records, grossing over Rs 900 crore worldwide. The film’s success in theaters was anticipated due to its extensive promotion and the controversy that surrounded it. In stark contrast, Laapataa Ladies, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and saw a limited theatrical release in March, earned just a little over Rs 20 crore globally. The streaming performance of the two films, however, paints an entirely different story.
As reported by the Indian Express, Laapataa Ladies premiered on Netflix a month ago and has since accumulated 13.8 million views. On the other hand, Animal, which was added to Netflix in January, garnered at least 13.6 million views in its first three weeks before dropping out of the platform’s top 10 in the fourth week. Laapataa Ladies not only managed to stay in the top 10 for a week longer but has consistently remained within the top 5 since its debut.
The viewership statistics for Laapataa Ladies are impressive. In its first week, the film clocked 5.3 million viewing hours from 2.6 million views. The second week showed an improvement with 7 million viewing hours from 3.4 million views. In the third week, the film’s viewership surged to 11.6 million viewing hours from 5.6 million views. Even in its fourth week, the momentum didn’t drastically slow down, with the film garnering 4.5 million viewing hours from 2.2 million views.
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The film’s popularity extends beyond just numbers. Laapataa Ladies has received accolades from several prominent Bollywood figures, further solidifying its success. Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra, two of Bollywood’s leading actresses, praised the film and its cast on social media. Sharing the film’s poster from the Aamir Khan Production’s official Instagram handle, Alia Bhatt lauded the performances of Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Shrivastava, and Ravi Kishan. She wrote, “Such a wonderful time at the movies. These ladies, Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel and gentlemen Sparsh Shrivastava, Ravi Kishan truly have my heart. Such a beautiful film and what fabulous performances by the entire cast. Congratulations to all of you.”
Priyanka Chopra echoed similar sentiments, taking to her Instagram stories to commend Kiran Rao and the team behind Laapataa Ladies. “Thank you for the entertainment and the education @raodyness! Congratulations on this, make more movies!” she posted.
Adding to the chorus of praise, Ananya Panday also shared her appreciation for the film. On her Instagram stories, she wrote, “This one’s a real delight, couldn’t recommend it enough.”
Kiran Rao can indeed take solace in these achievements. Her film’s success on Netflix demonstrates that a compelling story and strong performances can transcend budget constraints and initial box office performance. Laapataa Ladies’ performance is a testament to Rao’s vision and the dedication of her team.
The journey of Laapataa Ladies from its festival debut to becoming a Netflix sensation starkly contrasts with the trajectory of Animal. Despite the latter’s initial box office success and extensive promotion, it failed to maintain its momentum on the streaming platform. In comparison, Laapataa Ladies, with its heartwarming narrative and strong word-of-mouth promotion, continued to capture the audience’s attention week after week.
As the streaming wars continue to reshape how films are consumed and evaluated, Laapataa Ladies’ success story serves as an inspiring example. It highlights the importance of content and storytelling in an industry often dominated by star power and financial muscle. For Kiran Rao, this victory is not just about viewership numbers but also about the acknowledgment and appreciation of her work by both audiences and peers alike.
In conclusion, the success of Laapataa Ladies over Animal on Netflix underscores a broader shift in the entertainment industry. It suggests that while expenditure and hype can drive initial interest, it is ultimately the quality and relatability of the content that sustains audience engagement and leads to long-term success.
