In 2003, a movie was released that completely changed the conversation about romantic tragedies in Bollywood. It came at a time when the industry was experimenting with love stories but none had explored the dark side of the emotion. The film not only premiered in theaters, but became a rage among young audiences, who instantly connected with its raw passion and heartbreak.
At the time of the film’s release, long queues formed outside the box office and advance bookings reportedly broke records for a film directed by its star. Viewers not only watched the film, but, at least it seemed, absorbed it. The lead actor’s hairstyle became a nationwide trend, copied in universities and small towns alike, while the songs played incessantly in markets, buses and homes.
Any guesses? Well, the cult classic is none other than Tere Naam. Directed by Satish Kaushik, the romantic action drama starred Salman Khan and Bhumika Chawla in the lead roles. Released on August 15, 2003, the film told the story of Radhe, an irresponsible but deeply emotional young man whose intense love story turns into tragedy.
Radhe is introduced as an aggressive and carefree college student who spends her days hanging out with friends and getting into fights. But beneath that tough exterior lies a vulnerable lover. When he falls in love with a simple, soft-spoken girl, his life takes a dramatic turn. The love story gradually transforms into a painful story of separation, mental breakdown and loss.
The film was the official Hindi remake of the Tamil film Sethu, originally directed by Bala. Interestingly, the story was inspired by a real-life incident involving one of Bala’s friends. While remakes often struggle to surpass the original, many viewers believe that the Hindi adaptation struck a deeper chord with the North Indian audience and became even more popular over time.
Financially, the figures tell an interesting story. The film was reportedly made with a budget of around Rs 10 crore. According to trade reports, it earned approximately Rs 14.53 crore net in India and had a worldwide gross of over Rs 24 crore. While it did not surpass the net benchmark of 20 million rupees that would have qualified it as a clean “success” at the time, it was still considered profitable.
Music played a very important role in the success of the film. Composed by Himesh Reshammiya, the soundtrack became one of the highlights of the year. Songs from the album, including Lagan Lagi, Tera Naam, Odhni and Tumse Milna, were played on loop on radio stations and music channels. Even today, the songs continue to evoke nostalgia among fans.
For Salman Khan, the film marked a major turning point. After producing a huge family hit in 1999, several of its releases between 2000 and 2002 underperformed. This intense romantic drama reestablished him as a bankable star and reminded audiences of his ability to play emotionally charged roles with conviction and vulnerability.
The film had a great impact, also culturally. The actor’s long, middle-parted hairstyle became iconic, inspiring thousands of young people to replicate the look. The film’s dialogues entered everyday conversations, and the tragic climactic scene, especially the asylum sequence, left audiences in tears. Over time, it gained cult classic status.
Now, 23 years later, the film will return to theaters on February 27, 2026, as part of PVR-INOX’s Month of Love campaign. Trade circles suggest that even a modest collection of around Rs 5.5 crore during its re-release could be considered strong by today’s standards.