Big Stars, Big Budgets—Big Flops!
In Bollywood, star power and massive budgets often signal guaranteed success. Yet, some films crash spectacularly despite their glamour and hype. From Bombay Velvet’s ambitious vision to Kalank’s star-studded grandeur, here are five expensive Bollywood flops that missed the mark.
1. Bombay Velvet (2015) – Anurag Kashyap’s Costly Misstep
Stars: Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Karan Johar
Budget: ₹120 crore | Earnings: ₹30 crore (Disaster)
Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet promised a lavish 1960s Bombay saga with Hollywood-level production. But its bloated runtime, confusing plot, and weak character arcs left audiences cold. Despite Ranbir’s intense performance, the film became one of Bollywood’s most infamous financial disasters.
Key Failure: Style over substance—glossy visuals couldn’t save the messy script.
2. Kalank (2019) – Dharma’s Grand Misfire
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Madhuri Dixit
Budget: ₹150 crore | Earnings: ₹80 crore (Flop)
Karan Johar’s Kalank was marketed as a sweeping epic, evoking classics like Mughal-e-Azam. But critics slammed its over-the-top melodrama and shallow storytelling. Despite stunning sets and costumes, the film tanked, proving even Dharma’s magic has limits.
Key Failure: More glitter than emotion—audiences wanted depth, not just dazzle.
3. Mohenjo Daro (2016) – Hrithik’s Historic Debacle
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Pooja Hegde
Budget: ₹115 crore | Earnings: ₹60 crore (Disaster)
Ashutosh Gowariker (Lagaan) aimed high with this Indus Valley saga, but weak VFX and historical blunders overshadowed Hrithik’s star power. The film’s clunky script and bizarre climax alienated viewers, sinking its box-office prospects.
Key Failure: Ambition ≠ Execution—poor research and effects ruined the immersion.
4. Fan (2016) – SRK’s Gritty Gamble
Stars: Shah Rukh Khan
Budget: ₹105 crore | Earnings: ₹85 crore (Flop)
SRK’s Fan showcased his acting range in a dark, unconventional thriller. While critics praised his dual role, mainstream audiences rejected the bleak tone. The film’s niche appeal and lack of typical Bollywood masala led to its downfall.
Key Failure: Too niche—SRK’s experimental turn didn’t resonate with his mass fanbase.
5. Jagga Jasoos (2017) – Ranbir’s Quirky Letdown
Stars: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif
Budget: ₹110 crore | Earnings: ₹56 crore (Disaster)
Anurag Basu’s Jagga Jasoos was a whimsical musical adventure plagued by delays and script issues. Though Ranbir and Katrina shone, the film’s uneven pacing and incoherent plot frustrated viewers. Its box-office crash became a cautionary tale for offbeat projects.
Key Failure: Too disjointed—audiences craved coherence, not just quirkiness.
Why These Films Flopped: 4 Common Pitfalls
- Weak Scripts – Lavish sets can’t fix poor writing.
- Misleading Hype – Sold as epics, delivered as duds.
- Overindulgence – Bloated runtimes tested patience.
- Audience Mismatch – Either too niche or too shallow.
Lessons for Bollywood
While these films failed commercially, some gained cult followings (Fan’s critical acclaim, Bombay Velvet’s retro appeal). The takeaway? Stars and budgets help, but storytelling is king.
Do you think Bollywood should take more creative risks, or play it safe? Share your views!
