Akshay Kumar’s recent release Sarfira has failed at the box office. It had a poor opening of Rs. 2.50 crores and its lifetime is expected to be around Rs. 20 crores. This was his 10th release in post-Covid out of which 7 have been flops –Bellbottom [Rs. 30.63 cr.], Bachchhan Paandey [Rs. 49.98 cr.], Samrat Prithviraj [Rs. 68.05 cr.], Raksha Bandhan [Rs. 44.39 cr.], Selfiee [Rs. 16.85 cr.] and Mission Raniganj [Rs. 33.74 cr.] and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan [Rs. 59.17 cr.]. While 2 films – Sooryavanshi [Rs. 196 cr.] and OMG 2 [Rs. 150.17 cr.] – were super hits, Ram Setu [Rs. 71.87 cr.] was an average grosser. The average lifetime collection of his films in the post-Covid era is just Rs. 78 crores. This includes Sooryavanshi and OMG 2 and if you remove these two successful films, the average lifetime falls to Rs. 50 crores. The total lifetime earnings of all his films is around Rs. 700 crores of which approximately 50% of collections [Rs. 346.17 cr.] have come from Sooryavanshi and OMG 2. What is also worrying is the poor opening day numbers. Sarfira is the fourth film of Akshay in recent times to open below Rs. 3 crores after Bellbottom, Selfiee and Mission Raniganj.
Post Covid – 10 releases, 7 FLOPS. Trade explains what ails Akshay Kumar: “There’s a fatigue factor for Akshay Kumar starrers. He should take a break and come back with mass-appealing films like Hera Pheri 3”
We spoke to trade experts on Akshay Kumar’s recent track record. Trade veteran Taran Adarsh said, “There’s a fatigue factor for Akshay Kumar starrers. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan came just two months ago. A month later, he’ll be seen in Khel Khel Mein and in Skyforce on October 2. One might argue that he was delivering 4 films in a year for a long time. But in today’s time, the scenario has changed. Waqt badalta hai aur uske saath logon ki soch bhi badalti hai. Also, movies today need to be larger than life.”
Distributor and exhibitor Raj Bansal nodded in agreement, “All of a sudden, the audience has started rejecting Akshay Kumar because he has too many releases in a year. Also, he is seen in too many ads.”
Trade analyst Atul Mohan rued, “Times are confusing. People say that there’s an overdose of Akshay. But even before the lockdown, he used to do 4 films a year. And every film used to do business in the range of Rs. 125-150 crores. It’s difficult to understand what people are expecting from him. After all, he’s doing every kind of film, be it out-and-out commercial and also offbeat films like Sarfira. In the past, he has given films in the latter category and they were successful, be it Airlift, Mission Mangal, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha etc.”
All experts agreed that he’ll have to work in mass-appealing films to make a comeback. Taran Adarsh said, “When you have a phase like that, it’s very important to come back with a film that the masses want to watch. Shah Rukh Khan delivered films like Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017) and Zero (2018). And the same SRK also gave films like Jawan and Pathaan. Today, you need to have the involvement of the masses, single-screen theatres, tier 2 and tier 3 centres. In other words, you also need to have an all-India acceptance for a film.”
Atul Mohan commented, “I think he should follow Shah Rukh Khan’s footsteps. He properly planned the three films. Two of them became big hits and the purpose was served. Similarly, Akshay should take a break and understand how he should come back with a bang. Even if one film is a huge success, he’ll be back in the game.”
He further said, “He needs to come with mass-appealing films. If you don’t please the masses, how would you get the box office? He should collaborate with massy filmmakers. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was also massy but it failed in terms of execution and script. Hence, he should choose a correct, massy film. Also, songs should have some signature step that appeals to the people. His dance in Rowdy Rathore’s (2012) song ‘Chinta Ta Ta’ became a rage.”
He also stated, “He can also do two-hero films. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was a two-hero film but Tiger Shroff is also going through a tough time. Hence, he should work with someone who is doing well. People considered Pathaan to be a Shah Rukh Khan-starrer. But it also had John Abraham and his casting added to the hype.”
Raj Bansal suggested, “He should not have any release for 6-8 months, in cinemas or OTT. He should work on scripts and also relax, go on a holiday and spend time with his family.”
He stated, “I said this two years ago and I still maintain that Akshay should stop every film and work on Hera Pheri 3. He should even work in this film for free. Or else, he should do a hardcore action film like Rowdy Rathore’s sequel. In short, Akshay Kumar should do only two films for a major comeback – Rowdy Rathore 2 and Hera Pheri 3.”
There’s a strong belief that it’s the franchise films of Akshay Kumar that would help him, be it Welcome To The Jungle, Housefull 5 or Jolly LLB 3. All three are expected in the next one year. Raj Bansal said, “Jolly LLB 3 will be a decent success but its lifetime won’t be in the league of Rowdy Rathore 2 and Hera Pheri 3. These two films have the potential of doing business of Rs. 200 crores.”
Will Skyforce, Khel Khel Mein surprise?
All eyes are now on Akshay Kumar’s next release, Khel Khel Mein, which releases a month later followed by Skyforce on October 2. But the trade experts feel that the debacle of Sarfira and his other films might not affect his next.
Taran Adarsh said, “People knew that Sarfira is a remake. In the rest of the standalone films, there’s no idea. A lot of people might not know what to expect from Khel Khel Mein. But they know that Housefull 5 or Welcome To The Jungle will be dhamaal. Hence, the franchise factor contributes a lot. Of course, the franchise has to live up to the expectations.”
Raj Bansal opined, “It depends on what the film is. Maybe, his next flick can open at Rs. 10 crore or even Rs. 15 cores. It’s not necessary that his next would also have an opening of Rs. 2.50 crores.”
Atul Mohan observed, “Skyforce can surprise. It is produced by Dinesh Vijan, a smart producer. Maddock’s story sense is better than many other filmmakers at present.”
Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, meanwhile, placed his bets on Khel Khel Mein, “With that film, he has a good chance of bouncing back. It is in the zone of Bad Newz as it’s a premium comedy.”
To conclude
The trade experts also agreed in unison that Akshay Kumar is a fine actor with a tremendous work ethic and will be back on top. Girish Johar said,” It’s just one trailer and one Friday that can make or break things for any actor. But you can’t take the stardom away, which is well established over the years.”
Taran Adarsh sighed, “Sarfira’s box office failure is saddening since Akshay Kumar has done a brilliant job. The airport scene, where he wants to meet his father, who’s on his deathbed, hit me quite badly.” Girish Johar agreed, “Akshay Kumar’s sincere performance was praiseworthy.”
Raj Bansal also praised the actor, “He’s a good, principled actor and would surely bounce back.”
Taran Adarsh had the last word, “For the industry, it’s very important to have those numbers and footfalls. We all get affected in some way or the other when a big film doesn’t work.”
Also Read: Trade experts discuss what went wrong with Akshay Kumar-starrer Sarfira: “Akshay Kumar’s films are topical but are not entertaining for the larger audience”
More Pages: Mission Raniganj Box Office Collection
, Mission Raniganj Movie Review
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2024 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.
