6 Recent Salman Khan Movies That Show Why Audience Miss The Old Bhai

Salman Khan, once Bollywood’s undisputed ‘Bhai’ and an A-list actor capable of single-handedly drawing massive crowds to the cinema, has been on a rollercoaster ride with his recent filmography. His charisma, action sequences, romantic sagas, dialogues, and even his dance moves used to mesmerize audiences, turning subpar screenplays into blockbuster hits, all thanks to the magnetic pull of Salman Khan. Until 2017, he held a Midas touch at the box office, delivering a string of Bollywood’s most successful films, including Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, Sultan, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

However, the tide turned with Tubelight and Abbas-Mustan’s Race 3, marking the beginning of Salman’s downward trajectory. The movie faced heavy criticism for its lackluster dialogues, unimpressive screenplay, and several other issues. Many loyal fans were left disheartened as it failed to live up to their expectations. Let’s take a closer look at five recent Salman Khan movies that have led to questions about his ‘A-list’ status in Bollywood:

1. Tubelight (2017)

Tubelight, directed by Kabir Khan, was a departure from Salman’s typical action-packed roles and aimed to deliver an emotional and heartfelt story. Unfortunately, the movie failed to impress both critics and audiences. Despite its sincere attempt to explore the themes of love and brotherhood against the backdrop of the Indo-China war, Tubelight failed to create the magic that Khan’s previous collaborations with Kabir Khan had achieved. It served a very important reminder that even Salman’s immense star power couldn’t salvage a film with a weak script and execution.

2. Race 3 (2018)

The franchise that was known for its thrilling narratives and suspenseful plot twists took a nosedive with Race 3. Salman Khan’s entry into the series failed to breathe life into the movie, which suffered from a weak screenplay and lackluster performances. The film’s formulaic approach left both critics and audiences wanting more. The movie with IMDb rating of 1.9 has been one of the lowest IMDb-rated Hindi movies of all time. 

3. Bharat (2019)

Despite its star-studded cast and the potential to be a poignant tale, Salman Khan’s Bharat faltered in its execution. The movie struggled to maintain a consistent tone and felt disjointed at times. Salman Khan’s charismatic presence couldn’t salvage the film from its narrative pitfalls. 

4. Radhe (2021)

Touted as a return to Salman’s action-packed roots, Radhe disappointed fans with its predictable storyline, lack of innovation, and excessive reliance on Khan’s star power. The film failed to capture the essence of his earlier action-packed hits. With Radhe, once again Salman Khan left his fans brutally disappointed.

5. Antim (2021)

Hyped as a clash of titans between Salman Khan and Aayush Sharma, Antim couldn’t deliver on the promised excitement. While Khan showcased his versatility as an actor, the film’s plot lacked depth and struggled to engage viewers throughout. It was another reminder for Salman Khan to choose his films wisely and not take his fans for granted.

6. Kisi Ka Bhai Kissi Ki Jaan (2023)

Unfortunately, Salman Khan starrer Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan turned out to be one of the worst movies of 2023. The movie not only failed to make a mark at the box office, it was heavily criticized by fans and critics. It lacked the engaging storyline and memorable moments that fans have come to expect from Salman Khan’s movies. The movie left the fans so disappointed that many requested to stop making movies. Even when the movie was released on OTT (Zee5), many fans took to social media to share their disappointment.

In conclusion, while Salman Khan remains a beloved figure in the world of Bollywood, his recent film choices have left audiences questioning his ‘A-list’ status. The days of subpar scripts turning into blockbusters solely on the strength of his star power seem to be fading. As the industry evolves and demands more nuanced storytelling, Salman Khan may need to reassess his choices to regain his former glory in the Indian film industry. Will Tiger 3 save Salman Khan’s sinking career? What do you think? Tell us in the comments below.