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When one thinks of Indian films that have left a lasting impression globally, titles like Sholay, Awaara, Baahubali, or RRR usually spring to mind. These blockbusters boasted unforgettable performances and soundtracks. Over time, these films cemented their place in the pantheon of iconic Indian cinema, both at home and abroad. And yet, hidden in plain sight, there’s one film that quietly outpaced some of Bollywood’s biggest giants in one key metric: ticket sales.
This isn’t about box office collections but about the sheer number of people who actually went out and bought a ticket. And what’s even more surprising? The film in question isn’t often mentioned in typical lists of all-time Indian greats. It didn’t spawn a franchise, it wasn’t driven by megastar power, and it didn’t rely on visual effects wizardry.
1971 Caravan sold more than 300 million tickets in Asia, mostly in China
Released in 1971 and directed by Nasir Hussain, Caravan was a modestly budgeted musical-thriller featuring Jeetendra and Asha Parekh. While it enjoyed solid success in India, the real magic happened overseas, in places where Bollywood films weren’t just entertainment, but a cultural lifeline. Most notably, Caravan became a massive phenomenon in China, a market often overlooked in traditional box office tallies.
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