Vashu Bhagnani on Akshay Kumar’s lean phase: ‘No better example than Shah Rukh Khan, bechare ki…’

Vashu Bhagnani said that Shah Rukh Khan did not see a success at the box office for many years and that actors shouldn't be blamed for a film's failure.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | March 20, 2024 03:43 PM IST

3 min read

Shah Rukh Khan went through a lean phase before bouncing back in 2023. (Photo: Express Archives)

It is well known that Shah Rukh Khan was going through a rough patch at the movies before he took a long break and came back with three films in 2023. Pathaan and Jawan did some unprecedented business at the box office and Dunki too, managed to make a mark. Now, producer Vashu Bhagnani, who is gearing up for the release of his next film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, has said that SRK did not have a hit for 7 years before he made a grand comeback. He was asked about the recent track record of Akshay and Tiger at the box office, and if that added any pressure.

In a chat with Bollywood Hungama, when asked about the recent failures of Akshay and Tiger, Vashu said, “It all depends from film to film. And they are both brilliant actors. Koi fark hi nahin padta (It doesn’t make any difference). And Shah Rukh Khan se bada koi example nahin hai. Bechare ki 5-7 saalon se ek bhi picture nahin chali thi. (There’s no bigger example than Shah Rukh Khan. Poo thing, he didn’t have a success for 5-7 years.) And look how he bounced back in 2023. All his three films – Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki – were super-duper hits.”

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Vashu said that it is not the actor’s fault when a film does not work, but how the film has shaped up and it’s timing. “It’s not the fault of the actors. It’s the timing, how the film has shaped up and whether the film has acceptance – these factors matter more,” he said. Speaking about the timing, Vashu spoke about Mission Raniganj, starring Akshay Kumar, and addressed the film’s failure at the box office.

“Two weeks after the film’s release, the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse took place. If the film had been released during that time, it would have had more footfalls. Nevertheless, the film turned out to be great. The director did a fine job. Akshay Kumar ne kya kaam kiya hai. Kya sardarji bana hai (What a job by Akshay in that. What a sardarji),” he said.

Mission Raniganj released in theatres in October 2023. As per Bollywood Hungama, the film made Rs 33.74 crore during its run.

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