Mumbai: The age-old belief that big stars guarantee box office success is being challenged as recent films featuring renowned actors like Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan, and Jahnavi Kapoor have seen disappointing collections. The trend raises questions about the current dynamics of the film industry.
Ajay Devgan, a celebrated superstar known for his acting prowess and immense stardom, faced a surprising setback with his latest release. The film, which debuted with an opening day collection of just 1.70 crores and managed only 5.25 crores over the weekend, marked the lowest opening for any Ajay Devgan film in the past 14 years. The previous record was held by “Toonpur Ka Superhero,” which garnered a mere 0.44 crores on its opening day in 2010.
Anticipating the film’s underwhelming performance, Ajay Devgan expressed his fondness for the story during its trailer launch but refrained from predicting its box office success.
Akshay Kumar, another major star, has also seen a decline in box office fortunes. His last nine films have failed to make a significant impact, with his recent release “Sarfira” earning just 2.50 crores on its opening day. Similarly, “Raniganj,” released earlier this year before “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” only managed 2.80 crores on its first day. Addressing the failures, Akshay remarked that despite his hard work, the films did not resonate with audiences, and he receives messages as if he has “said goodbye to this world” whenever a film underperforms.
The struggles are not limited to Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgan. This year, several films featuring big stars have faced challenges at the box office, prompting industry insiders to question whether star power alone is enough to ensure a film’s success.
Film trade expert Girish Wankhede attributes the lackluster performance to factors beyond star appeal. “Apart from content, marketing and promotion of films are not doing well. People want to see movies like ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Wolverine,’ which means the desire to watch films is there, but the content is not appealing to people,” he explained.
The current scenario underscores a critical shift in the industry, highlighting the importance of compelling content, effective marketing, and robust promotion strategies in attracting audiences.
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