What is in a movie but for lots and lots of money? In Bollywood, just as in Hollywood, sometimes the biggest thing of a movie is not its names, its laughs, or its explosions, but instead the amount of money that went into it. Big bucks does not always translate into a high-quality success or equate to a box office draw, as Kevin Costner can attest to. Nonetheless, these 10 Bollywood movies came with quite the hefty price tag and were well-received, for the most part, as all have done their part in attracting a large audience.

With that, here are the 10 most expensive Bollywood films ever made:

10.  Cost: Rs. 400 million, or $8.2 million
Revenue: Rs. 590 million, or $27 million
Notable Cast: Hrithik Roshan,
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Release Year: 2008

An epic story and period piece about the Mughal emperor Akbar and his relationship with his Hindu wife, Jodhabai, was quite the expensive movie for Bollywood standards. Then again, with two of the industry’s biggest names playing the lead roles, a top-notch director (Ashutosh Gowariker) at the helm, elaborate sets and off-the-chart war scenes, Jodhaa Akbar was quite the regal film, complete with all the bells & whistles of an ultimate epic and period piece.

The film won several awards, including Best Film at the Filmfare, Stardust, IIFA and Star Screen Awards, among others.

9. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
Cost Rs. 440 million, or $9 million
Revenue: Rs. 490 million, or $10.1 million
Notable Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Kajol
Release Year: 2000

Considering the cast of this film, it is amazing Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham did not cost even more money. Factor in set locations in India, the United States and the United Kingdom, elaborate film sets and extensive wardrobe consisting of name-brand designer styles, it is amazing this movie cost “just” $9 million. Yet, the investment was well worth it, as the cast alone was strong enough to guarantee this film to be a box office blockbuster.

8. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Cost: Rs. 440 million, or $9 million
Revenue: Rs. 460 million, or $9.5 million
Notable Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherji, Preity Zinta
Release Year: 2006

This Karan Johar film had another amazing cast to draw in audiences, as well as a backdrop of Manhattan, New York. Yet, a tale of divorce – still a subject of taboo in India – was not necessarily well received among moviegoers on the South Asian subcontinent, as the 2006 film barely etched out a profit, despite performing well at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

7. Om Shanti Om
Cost: Rs. 450 million, or $9.2 million
Revenue: Rs. 1.1 billion, or $22.6 million
Notable Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone
Release Year: 2007

Yet another Bollywood film set in New York and starring one of the industry’s biggest names in Shah Rukh Khan, Om Shanti Om was as much known for its parody of the Indian film industry as its nearly flawless and energetic soundtrack. With a cast that was not as deep as the three movies above this one, Om Shanti Om actually spent a vast majority of its money on marketing and promotions, which paid off dearly, as the film is one of the top-earning Bollywood films of all time.

While the film made $22.6 million within India, it grossed another $17 million worldwide.

6. Singh is Kinng
Cost: Rs. 500 million, or $10.2 million
Revenue: Rs. 684 million, or $14.1 million
Notable Cast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif
Release Year: 2008

Singh is Kinng was almost entirely shot outside of India and starred one of India’s most darling actresses in Katrina Kaif. Oh, and Akshay Kumar was not cheap either. Nor was Snoop Dogg, who leant his voice to the soundtrack. Nonetheless, the star power of Kumar, Kaif and Snoop Dogg was enough to equal box office success.

5. Krrish
Cost: Rs. 500 million, or $10.2 million
Revenue: Rs. 734 million, or $15.1 million
Notable Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra
Release Year: 2006

Sequels oftentimes cost more than their introductory brethren, and Krrish was no different. A sequel to Rakesh Roshnan’s Koi Mil Gaya, several factors made this thriller expensive, in addition to the cast of two A-listers in Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra. Considered one of the greatest science-fiction style movies to grace Bollywood, Krrish had Hollywood-style special effects and perfect stunts against international sets.

4. The Hero: Love Story of a Spy
Cost: Rs. 550 million, or $11.3 million
Revenue: Rs. 245 million, or $5 million
Notable Cast: Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Priyanka Chopra
Release Year: 2003

Back in 2003, this was the most expensive Bollywood film ever made. Only three films released since have cost more. Unfortunately, despite the expensive cast that also included Amrish Puri and Kabir Bedi, an average plot combined with a not-so-exciting soundtrack made this film a complete flop in its release years. Despite drawing just $5 million from Indian box offices, this film was able to barely turn a profit, due to its modest reception overseas.

3. Kambakht Ishq
Cost: 600 million, or $12.3 million
Revenue: Rs. 14.6 million to date, or $3 million
Notable Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Sylvester Stallone
Release Year: 2009

Still out in theaters, this film has yet to prove itself at the box office, though, as new reports come in each week, the $12.3 million price tag should be covered before the Bollywood-Hollywood movie hits the DVD market. Kumar and Kapoor are expensive enough as it is, but filming almost entirely in Los Angeles while also casting the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards, among other American stars, for cameo appearances virtually guaranteed this would be an expensive flick. At $12.3 million, Kambakht Ishq is indeed quite the expensive film.

2. Ghajini
Cost: Rs. 650 million, or $13.4 million
Revenue: Rs. 1.8 billon, or $37 million
Notable Cast: Aamir Khan
Release Year: 2008

Aamir Khan has always been a stud of a Bollywood star, but this film legitimized his already successful career as not only one of the most expensive movies ever made in India, but one of the top-grossing flicks of all time as well. In fact, the $37 million box office receipt made this move the highest-grossing Bollywood film ever, well warranting its hefty price-tag for a remake of a South Indian movie based upon Memento. A majority of funds were spent on extremely unique marketing campaigns, such as providing moviegoers with a signature Ghajini haircut just outside theaters, and a staged Cold War between the country’s two biggest Khans — Aamir and Shah Rukh.

1. Love Story 2050
Cost: Rs. 800 million, or $16.5 million
Revenue: Rs. 125 million, or $2.6 million
Notable Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Harman Baweja
Release Year: 2008

Fittingly, the most expensive movie in Bollywood history is also its greatest disaster. Harman Baweja’s father, Harry, was the film’s director and spent his time working with elaborate sets and supposedly stunning special effects. The production team even spent money on a dancing robot and giving Priyanka Chopra red hair. None of it worked, as Love Story 2050 quickly went from promising sci-fi film to utter disaster.