Salman Khan, the beloved Bollywood superstar, has witnessed a significant decline in the success of his recent films. Industry experts and trade analysts have shared their perspectives on what went wrong with his latest release, “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan,” shedding light on the factors contributing to its underwhelming performance at the box office.
One prominent issue highlighted by producer and film business analyst Girish Johar is the overall quality of the film. According to him, apart from Salman Khan’s presence, everything seemed amiss. The songs failed to impress, with the recently launched track “Lets Dance Chotu Motu” receiving negative feedback just days before the film’s release. Such a move had an adverse effect, discouraging the public from watching the film. Johar also criticized the storytelling, describing it as outdated.
Trade veteran Taran Adarsh echoed these sentiments, expressing disappointment after watching the first half of the film and questioning its relevance to the present era. However, he acknowledged that the second half had some redeeming qualities. Adarsh emphasized that the film’s success, to the extent it achieved any, was primarily due to Salman Khan’s star power. He emphasized the need for Khan to take his stardom seriously and make more discerning choices.
Raj Bansal, the owner of Entertainment Paradise in Jaipur, further emphasized the poor craftsmanship of the film. He stated that not a single person he encountered had praised the film, attributing the criticism to the direction and script rather than Salman Khan himself. Bansal even highlighted feedback from individuals less knowledgeable about filmmaking, who criticized the direction and story.
Salman Khan’s recent box office collections have also been lackluster, indicating a decline in his films’ commercial success. For instance, “Dabangg 3” received widespread criticism despite collecting Rs. 146.11 crores. The film “Radhe” faced negative word-of-mouth despite not releasing in cinemas.
Taran Adarsh lamented the deteriorating choices made by Salman Khan, comparing films like “Race 3,” “Radhe,” and “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan” to his earlier successes such as “Sultan” and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan.” He stressed that while not every film could be expected to earn Rs. 300 crores, considering Khan’s commanding position, he should collaborate with better directors and work on stronger scripts, avoiding subpar projects.
Girish Johar acknowledged Salman Khan’s massive fan base but stressed the importance of appealing to a wider audience, including the urban youth and multiplex-going viewers. He urged Khan to choose films that showcase his charisma in a smarter and more sophisticated manner, while also selecting directors who can enhance his swag and maintain his stardom.
Looking ahead, all eyes are now on Khan’s upcoming film, “Tiger 3,” which is expected to perform well. Taran Adarsh expressed optimism, believing that Khan will make a comeback with a strong performance in the film. However, there is hope that Khan will avoid repeating collaborations with directors like Remo Dsouza or Farhad Samji, opting instead for projects that can truly capitalize on his potential.
The recent decline in Salman Khan’s film success can be attributed to various factors such as subpar film quality, outdated storytelling, and poor choices of directors and scripts. While his stardom remains significant, it is crucial for Khan to select projects that appeal to a wider range of audiences and work with accomplished directors to ensure his continued success in the industry. With “Tiger 3” on the horizon, there is anticipation for a resurgence in Khan’s career, but it