Akshay Kumar, a name synonymous with Bollywood action and comedy for over three decades, has recently faced a significant downturn in his box office performance. Once hailed as the “Khiladi” of Bollywood, delivering consistent hits and maintaining a prolific work ethic, Kumar now finds himself in a challenging phase.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kumar established himself as a box office powerhouse. He masterfully balanced action-packed thrillers with light-hearted comedies, while simultaneously captivating audiences with socially conscious films like “Airlift,” “Padman,” and “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.” These message-driven features, often infused with patriotic themes, resonated deeply with viewers, solidifying Kumar’s position as a bankable star.
However, the pandemic marked a turning point. While “Sooryavanshi” (2021) achieved success, it was largely attributed to pent-up demand for theatrical experiences post-lockdown. Kumar’s subsequent releases, including “Bell Bottom,” “Bachchan Pandey,” and “Samrat Prithviraj,” failed to generate the expected buzz and box office returns. This pattern continued with “Raksha Bandhan,” “Cutputli,” “Ram Setu,” “Selfie,” and most recently, “Mission Raniganj” and “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.” Notably, “Sarfira” witnessed a particularly disappointing opening day collection of a mere 4 crores, a far cry from Kumar’s past record of delivering consistent 100 crore hits.
Analysts point to a potential oversaturation of the market. Kumar’s pre-pandemic strategy of churning out 3-4 films annually may have backfired post-lockdown. Audiences, perhaps seeking a more curated selection, seem less receptive to the sheer volume of releases. The quality of the films themselves is also under scrutiny, with some critics suggesting a decline in script selection or audience fatigue with similar themes.
Despite these challenges, Kumar remains a busy actor with a full project slate. However, the question on everyone’s mind is: what needs to change? Will Kumar adopt a more selective approach to filmmaking? Will he explore new genres or collaborate with fresh creative voices? Only time will tell how the “Khiladi” navigates this current phase and reclaims his box office dominance.
