The Ganapath Case: Why Bollywood is in serious trouble

Ganapath film: If you thought Bollywood was on a triumphant resurgence in 2023, you might want to reconsider that notion. Based on the current scenario, the path ahead for Bollywood seems more like an uphill climb, if not an impossible feat. Despite the touted successes of films like “Jawan” and “Pathaan,” and the spirited attempts by “Gadar 2,” “The Kerala Story,” “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke,” and “OMG 2” to name a few, Bollywood is far from achieving a clean record. In fact, it’s essentially stuck in the same place as it was in 2022!

One culprit responsible for this conundrum is the disaster called “Ganapath,” for which multiplexes seemingly overlooked the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial “LEO.” This oversight has allowed even the dormant PAN INDIA segment of Indian cinema to mount an impressive comeback.

In case you think we’re making this up, let’s delve into some numbers. A mere week into its release, “LEO” has amassed global collections approaching a staggering 482 crores. Although domestic collections fall shy of 300 crores, it’s still a substantial sum, more than enough to recoup the basic costs. This victory marks another clean hit for Lokesh Kanagaraj, with the current weekly figure standing at a whopping 266 crores.

On the flip side, we have “Ganapath,” directed by the esteemed Vikas Bahl and featuring the formidable trio of Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon, and Amitabh Bachchan. Regrettably, it has earned itself a rather ignoble place in the annals of cinematic shame, pocketing a mere 8 crores across India. This, despite being made on a colossal budget ranging from 150 to 200 crores.

However, the dismal performance of “Ganapath” isn’t the sole reason why Bollywood finds itself in troubled waters. Since the September release of “Jawan,” not a single film has managed to earn the coveted tag of a clean hit. Even critically acclaimed films like “The Vaccine War” and “Mission Raniganj,” despite their stellar content, couldn’t recover their budgets domestically. Their figures stand at a paltry 6 crores and 29.14 crores, respectively. There were also films like “Yaariyan 2”, “Dhak Dhak”, “Thank You for Coming”, which literally sank without a trace.

Also read: LEO: Bollywood bites dust as PAN INDIA makes a strong comeback

With November offering no major releases apart from Salman Khan’s much-anticipated “Tiger 3,” it’s the upcoming month of December that will decide Bollywood’s fate. Will it manage to restore its glory or will it gradually yield space to the ever-evolving multilingual cinema? The latter has been giving Bollywood a run for its money, with flicks like “ANIMAL” and “Salaar” gearing up for fierce competition.

The challenges before Bollywood are manifold. Firstly, it’s essential to create content that resonates with the audience. While star-studded casts and massive budgets can attract attention, it’s the story, script, and execution that truly matter. The failure of big-budget films like “Ganapath” highlights the importance of substance over style.

Bollywood’s journey in 2023 has been far from smooth. Despite a few noteworthy releases, the industry is grappling with a string of disappointments. The fate of the upcoming months, especially December, hangs in the balance, with the likes of “Tiger 3,” “ANIMAL,” and “Salaar” poised to make their mark. The road ahead is challenging, and Bollywood must adapt, innovate, and focus on content to regain its former glory in the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema.

Support TFI:

Support us to strengthen the ‘Right’ ideology of cultural nationalism by purchasing the best quality garments from TFI-STORE.COM.

Also Watch: