PremiumThe success of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit speaks to a real gap: The sensible budget film that can find an audience simply by being goodThe formula for success has essentially been reduced to massive budgets, large scale (preferably with lots of action sequences and highly kinetic camerawork) and, as far as possible, a multistar cast that draws from across Indian languages. (File Photo)5 min readNov 1, 2026 08:07 PM IST First published on: Nov 1, 2026 at 08:06 PM ISTDear Express ReadersIn the decade since SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali 2: The Conclusion became the first Indian film to earn over Rs 1,000 crore at the global box office, that number has become something of a paradox: Visible to the extent that it is now the ceiling that every ambitious filmmaker hopes they will breach, but large enough that it is still something of an abstraction. What, after all, does Rs 1,000 crore even mean in an industry that spins a tale long enough that most people stop expecting any actual, measurable figures? Success is as success is narrated.Pooja Pillai Recommended Readings:* Sunil Mukhi writes: Ashoke Sen’s journey shows why science must make room for ideas yet to be tested* John Keane writes: The worldwide outbursts of the powerless pose new political questions * Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes:Reforms 3.0 underline a credibility gap. First, reform the reformer* Arun Prakash writes: On theatre commands, let’s finish arguing, reach a settlement, before next crisis comes* Abhinav Kumar writes: Ankita Bhandari deserved justice. She does not deserve to become a permanent hashtag© The Indian Express Pvt LtdPooja Pillai is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial... Read More ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebook