2023 in Bollywood had its share of wins with movies like “Jawan” and “Pathaan” reaching great heights. However, it’s also marked by some setbacks that left top stars such as Kangana Ranaut, Tiger Shroff, and Kartik Aaryan feeling the sting. Let’s take a closer look at the films, ranging from big-budget productions to more modest ones, that couldn’t strike gold for Bollywood studios and indie distributors this year.
Even accomplished names like Vivek Agnihotri, whose “The Kashmir Files” soared past ₹250 crore, and Kartik Aaryan, with the success of “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2” in 2022, couldn’t escape the downturn. Here’s a roundup of highly anticipated films that faced box office disappointments in 2023:
Bollywood’s Biggest Flops Of 2023:
Tejas
Kangana Ranaut’s film portraying an Indian Air Force pilot fell short of expectations at the box office. Despite its October release, it only managed to collect ₹6.2 crore in India. Directed by Sarvesh Mewara, the film showcased Tejas Gill’s daring rescue mission, yet failed to resonate with audiences.
Ganapath
Starring Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon, this post-apocalyptic dystopian action film had a lackluster box office performance despite its release around the Dussehra holiday. With a budget of ₹200 crore, the film only garnered ₹13 crore in India. Directed by Vikas Bahl of “Queen” fame, even Amitabh Bachchan’s presence couldn’t salvage its fate. Also Read: Ganapath Review
The Vaccine War
Despite being helmed by Vivek Agnihotri and featuring names like Nana Patekar and Pallavi Joshi, the film struggled in India, earning only ₹10.33 crore. Released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the movie failed to strike a chord with audiences despite its subject matter.
Chandramukhi 2
The sequel to the blockbuster Tamil horror-comedy, this film starring Kangana Ranaut and Raghava Lawrence collected ₹39.21 crore in India across multiple languages. Despite its wide release in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada, it fell short of the success of its predecessor.
Selfiee
Akshay Kumar’s remake of the Malayalam film “Driving Licence” faced a disappointing reception, earning only ₹17.03 crore in India, significantly below expectations. Directed by Raj Mehta and with a star-studded cast including Emraan Hashmi and Diana Penty, it couldn’t captivate audiences as anticipated.
Shehzada
Kartik Aaryan’s film, a Hindi remake of Allu Arjun’s “Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo,” failed to make a mark despite a star-studded lineup. With a collection of ₹32 crore in India, falling short of its ₹85 crore budget, the movie directed by Rohit Dhawan couldn’t replicate the success of its original version. Also Read: Shehzada Review
These movies, with their big budgets and star-studded casts, failed to impress audiences in 2023, resulting in underwhelming box office performances that left Bollywood studios and distributors with significant losses. Which other movie should be added to the list? Tell us in the comments below.