Bollywood is often seen as a land of dreams, where big budgets, larger-than-life stars, and spectacular visuals promise to deliver cinematic magic. However, sometimes, even the biggest of budgets and the most famous faces fail to make a movie a success. While some films soar at the box office, others crash despite all the hype and marketing. These flop movies serve as reminders that success in cinema is about more than just star power—it’s about story, timing, and audience connection.
In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest Bollywood flops in recent years, especially in 2024, and try to understand what went wrong.
1. Adipurush
Budget: ₹700 crore
Box Office Collection: ₹392 crore
Loss: ₹308 crore
When Adipurush, based on the epic Ramayana, was announced, it generated massive excitement. With a huge budget, star-studded cast, and mythological theme, it had everything in place for a major hit. But, when it hit the screens, the backlash was swift and harsh. From poor VFX to cringeworthy dialogues, the film failed to live up to its grand expectations. Despite initial box office numbers, the backlash led to its eventual downfall.
2. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan
Budget: ₹350 crore
Box Office Collection: ₹110 crore
Loss: ₹240 crore
This action-packed entertainer starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff had all the makings of a hit. But the film quickly proved that no amount of star power can save a film without a strong story. With over-the-top action sequences and a generic plot, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan failed to connect with the audience and became one of the biggest financial disasters of the year.
3. Selfiee
Budget: ₹100 crore
Box Office Collection: ₹23 crore
Loss: ₹77 crore
Akshay Kumar and Emraan Hashmi came together in Selfiee, a remake of the Malayalam film Driving Licence. While both actors are established stars, the film couldn’t replicate the charm or appeal of the original. The story felt forced, the comedy fell flat, and the audience just wasn’t interested. It turned out to be a classic example of how even a big-budget remake can flop without the right ingredients.
4. Shehzada
Budget: ₹85 crore
Box Office Collection: ₹32.2 crore
Loss: ₹52.8 crore
Kartik Aaryan tried to play the massy hero in Shehzada, a remake of the South Indian film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. However, despite his charm, the film couldn’t capture the magic of the original. The formulaic storyline and lackluster execution left audiences unimpressed, and the film barely managed to make a dent at the box office.
5. Ganapath: A Hero is Born
Budget: ₹200 crore
Box Office Collection: ₹13.38 crore
Loss: ₹186.6 crore
Tiger Shroff returned with yet another action-packed movie in Ganapath, set in a futuristic world. While the concept seemed promising, the film failed to deliver. The weak plot, muddled storytelling, and underwhelming action sequences led to its swift downfall, making it one of the biggest box-office failures of 2023.
6. Tejas
Budget: ₹60 crore
Box Office Collection: ₹6.2 crore
Loss: ₹53.8 crore
Kangana Ranaut’s Tejas was a patriotic film about an Indian Air Force pilot. While the intention was noble, the film fell short in execution. The weak narrative and lack of emotional depth made it difficult for the audience to connect, leading to its commercial failure.
7. Mission Raniganj
Budget: ₹120 crore
Box Office Collection: ₹45 crore
Loss: ₹75 crore
This Akshay Kumar starrer was based on a real-life mining disaster rescue mission. While the premise had potential, the film’s flat storytelling and lack of emotional depth failed to engage viewers. Despite the star power, it struggled to find its audience and was a box office dud.
8. Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan
Budget: ₹125 crore
Box Office Collection: ₹110.53 crore
Loss: ₹14.47 crore
Eid releases are usually a guaranteed hit for Salman Khan, but Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan proved to be an exception. Despite all the buzz and anticipation, the film didn’t live up to expectations. With a predictable plot and a lack of fresh content, it failed to strike a chord with the audience.
9. Kuttey
Budget: ₹30 crore
Box Office Collection: ₹4.65 crore
Loss: ₹25.35 crore
This dark comedy, featuring an ensemble cast of Arjun Kapoor, Tabu, and Naseeruddin Shah, failed to make an impact at the box office. While it had a unique concept, the film’s confused narrative and lack of direction led to its quick exit from theaters.
10. Ghoomer
Budget: ₹20 crore
Box Office Collection: ₹7 crore
Loss: ₹13 crore
Ghoomer was a heartwarming sports drama starring Abhishek Bachchan, which touched on the theme of disability in sports. However, despite its critical acclaim, it failed to find a wide audience. Poor marketing and limited appeal led to its underperformance at the box office.
Why Do Big Films Flop?
So, what exactly goes wrong with these films that had everything—big budgets, star power, and hype—but still ended up as massive failures?
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Weak Storylines: A star-studded cast can only do so much. A film needs a strong narrative to keep the audience hooked. Without it, even the best actors can't save the movie.
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Outdated Concepts: Movies that rely on outdated formulas or recycle old ideas often fail to resonate with modern audiences, who seek fresh, engaging content.
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Poor Execution: Sometimes, even a good story can fall apart in the hands of the wrong director or team. Lackluster direction, poor pacing, and bad editing can turn a potentially good film into a flop.
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Misjudged Audience: The tastes and preferences of the audience evolve. What worked a few years ago might not work today. Movies that fail to read the audience’s mood often fall flat.
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Marketing vs. Reality: Overhyped films often create unrealistic expectations, and when they fail to meet those expectations, the audience feels let down. Effective marketing is important, but it must align with the actual quality of the film.
Conclusion: A Lesson for the Industry
While these flops are a reality of the film industry, they also serve as valuable lessons. They show that big budgets and star power are not enough—films need good content, fresh ideas, and a strong connection with the audience. Filmmakers need to stay attuned to changing tastes and innovate to keep the magic alive.
Despite these setbacks, Bollywood will always continue to make films. Some will be hits, and some will be flops. That’s the nature of the business. But the key takeaway? No matter how big the movie, it’s the story that will ultimately decide whether it flies or flops.