Padmavati to Tubelight & Jagga Jasoos: Biggest Bollywood let-downs of 2017

Padmavati had the biggest bearing on this year's box-office collection as it was one of the most awaited films of the year and failed to secure a release

The year 2017 may have seen India's film industry smashing many box-office records with flicks like Baahubali: The Conclusion and Tiger Zinda Hai. But it was also a year of let-downs for many popular stars -- for reasons ranging from poor scripts to erosion in star power and needless controversies. 

As 2017 draws a close, Business Standard takes a look at the viggest let-downs among films that promised a lot but delivered little.

Tubelight

Photo: Twitter

The only actor in Hindi film industry whose films have been among the biggest hits year after year in recent times has been Salman Khan. However, he found a rare failure in 2017. Although Tubelight managed to rake in an estimated revenue of Rs 121 crore in India, the film was termed a flop since it had been made with a huge budget of Rs 135 crore.

Salman Khan even refunded the distributors of the film to compensate for their losses.

Jab Harry Met Sejal

A still from jab Harry Met Sejal

Shah Rukh Khan's films have not found much success in recent times, but Harry Met Sejal was one of the most awaited films of 2017, especially with the hype around the Imtiaz Ali-directed movie. The film, however, failed to impress either moviegoers or critics. The result: It could earn a meagre Rs 62 crore in India.

Shah Rukh Khan was reported to have followed in Salman Khan's footsteps and compensated distributors for their losses.

A Gentleman

The Sidharth Malhotra and Jacqueline Fernandez starrer was a surprise flop of 2017 as it could rake in only Rs 19 crore, even after all the hype it received before the release.

Apart from the poor review, Mumbai floods during the initial days of its release also significantly contributed to its failure.

Jagga Jasoos

Photo: Twitter

Much was expected from the film as it brought together Ranbir Kapoor and Anuragh Basu, the actor and director of the Oscar-nominated Barfi. The other selling point of the film was the fact that Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor were coming together for the first time after their infamous break-up. 

The film received a thumbs-down from the audience after its release and could garner only Rs 53 crore at the domestic box office.

Special mention: Padmavati

The winning trio of Sanjay Leele Bhansali, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh was expected to spell magic at the box-office with the period drama Padmavati, originally scheduled to releasein December. The previous success of the trio with Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and Bajrao Mastani had raised the expectations from Padmavati as well. While its box-office success remains to be seen, the controversy it created across the country caused a lot heartburn to many, and losses to the producers. Amid protests from various fringe groups and political leaders who accused Bhansali of distorting facts in his magnum opus, the movie's release was put off indefinitely. Though the film has not got the permission for a March 2018 release -- after some modifications -- the hopes that it would be one of the biggest grossers of 2017 have got dashed.