Filmmakers are superstitious. Superstitions are expected when crores depend on a project’s success. Some makers use numerology for titles, others use their favorite ‘letters’ Film titles are important, but not overstated. Thus, it is surprising that Bollywood keeps using this simple title after three major failures. (See also: India’s biggest box office bomb, made in ₹45 crore, earned ₹60k, sold 500 tickets, and rejected by all OTT platforms)
The word that has troubled Bollywood nine times, three times with the same title. The word is harmless—Karz, meaning debt. Three films have had the word as their title and six have used it as part of it. Despite expectations, all nine films bombed at the box office. These include Karz (1980), Karz: The Burden of Truth (2002), and Karzzzz (2008). The other six box office failures are Karz Tere Khoon Ka (1988), Doodh Ka Karz (1990), Pyar Ka Karz, Karz Chukana Hai, Mahaan Karz, and Doodh Ka Karz (2016).
Subhash Ghai directed the original Karz, starring Rishi Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Neetu Kapoor, and Pran. Despite becoming a cult classic, Karz initially failed at the box office, earning under ₹4 crore. The following week, Feroz Khan’s Qurbani overshadowed it. In his autobiography, Rishi Kapoor said the film’s failure depressed him and made him doubt his career.
Not better was the 2008 remake, Karzzzz, starring Himesh Reshammiya and Urmila Matondkar. With a budget of ₹24 crore, it only earned ₹16 crore. According to reports, the film’s makers were near bankruptcy. This was Urmila’s career low point. It was Urmila’s last full-length Hindi film role. TV reality show judging followed in 2011.
