Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017)
Jab Harry Met Sejal is a romantic comedy film directed by Imtiaz Ali and starring Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma. Despite the star power and high expectations, the film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. The story revolves around a tour guide named Harry, played by Shah Rukh Khan, and a woman named Sejal, played by Anushka Sharma, who are on a journey to find Sejal’s lost engagement ring. The film failed to make a significant impact at the box office, and its performance was considered disappointing considering the talent involved. Despite featuring popular actors Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma, this film failed to impress both critics and audiences.
Shaandaar (2015)
Shaandaar is a romantic comedy film directed by Vikas Bahl and produced by Karan Johar and Anurag Kashyap. The film stars Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles, along with Pankaj Kapur and Sanjay Kapoor in supporting roles. Set against the backdrop of a destination wedding, the film follows the story of two insomniacs, played by Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, who find love amidst the chaos of the wedding festivities.
Despite the hype surrounding its release and the pairing of Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt for the first time, “Shaandaar” failed to live up to expectations. The film received largely negative reviews from critics and audiences, who criticized its weak storyline, lack of humor, and over-the-top presentation. Additionally, its extravagant production budget and promotional expenses contributed to its commercial failure, making it one of the biggest box office disappointments of 2015.
Befikre (2016)
Befikre” is a romantic comedy film directed by Aditya Chopra, marking his return to directing after eight years and produced under the Yash Raj Films banner, starring Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor in lead roles. Set in Paris, the film follows the story of Dharam and Shyra, two carefree individuals who decide to have a casual relationship without any commitment or emotional baggage.
Despite the anticipation surrounding Aditya Chopra’s return to direction after a long hiatus and the fresh pairing of Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor, “Befikre” received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences. While some praised its youthful energy and vibrant visuals, many criticized its shallow storyline, lack of depth in characters, and overemphasis on physical intimacy. Additionally, the film failed to make a significant impact at the box office, falling short of expectations considering the pedigree of its director and lead actors. Overall, “Befikre” was considered a disappointment both critically and commercially.
Bombay Velvet (2015)
Bombay Velvet is a neo-noir period crime drama directed by Anurag Kashyap and based on historian Gyan Prakash’s book “Mumbai Fables.” The film features Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and Karan Johar in lead roles. Set in 1960s Bombay, it tells the story of Johnny Balraj (Ranbir Kapoor), a street fighter aspiring to become a big-shot, and Rosie Noronha (Anushka Sharma), a jazz singer caught in the web of organized crime.
Despite high expectations due to its star cast and the director’s reputation for gritty storytelling, “Bombay Velvet” failed to resonate with audiences and critics. The film faced criticism for its convoluted plot, uneven pacing, and excessive stylisation. Additionally, its high production budget, estimated to be one of the highest in Indian cinema at the time, coupled with its poor box office performance, resulted in significant financial losses for the producers. “Bombay Velvet” is often cited as one of the biggest commercial failures in Bollywood history.
Fitoor (2016)
Fitoor is a romantic drama film directed by Abhishek Kapoor, based on Charles Dickens’ novel “Great Expectations.” The film stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Katrina Kaif, and Tabu in lead roles. Set in the picturesque Kashmir Valley, Fitoor tells the story of a young Kashmiri boy named Noor, played by Aditya Roy Kapur, who falls in love with Firdaus, portrayed by Katrina Kaif, the daughter of a wealthy aristocrat Begum Hazrat (Tabu).
Despite its visually stunning cinematography and strong performances, especially by Tabu, Fitoor received mixed reviews from critics and failed to connect with audiences. Some critics praised the film’s aesthetics and performances but criticised its pacing and deviations from the source material. Additionally, the film faced tough competition at the box office upon its release, which further affected its commercial prospects. Despite its shortcomings, Fitoor remains a visually captivating film that showcases the beauty of Kashmir, but it’s lacklustre box office performance marked it as a disappointment in terms of commercial success.
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Loveyatri (2018)
Loveyatri is a romantic drama film directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Salman Khan Films. The movie marks the acting debut of Aayush Sharma, who is married to Salman Khan’s sister Arpita Khan, and also stars Warina Hussain in the lead roles. Set during the festive season of Navratri in Gujarat, the film follows the love story of Sushrut and Manisha, played by Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain respectively.
Despite being backed by Salman Khan’s production house and featuring fresh faces, Loveyatri received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences. The film faced criticism for its predictable storyline, weak performances, and lack of chemistry between the lead pair. Additionally, it also faced controversies prior to its release regarding its title, which some groups found offensive. These factors combined led to Loveyatri failing to make a mark at the box office and being considered a disappointment both critically and commercially.
Katti Batti (2015)
Katti Batti is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Nikkhil Advani and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur under the UTV Motion Pictures banner. The movie starring Imran Khan and Kangana Ranaut in the lead roles. The story revolves around the tumultuous relationship between Maddy (Imran Khan), a young architect, and Payal (Kangana Ranaut), a free-spirited woman.
Despite the initial buzz surrounding its release and the pairing of Imran Khan and Kangana Ranaut, Katti Batti received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences. While some praised the performances of the lead actors, particularly Kangana Ranaut’s portrayal of Payal, many criticized the film’s uneven narrative, lack of depth in characterisation, and formulaic approach to storytelling. Additionally, the film failed to attract audiences to theaters, resulting in a poor box office performance.
Overall, Katti Batti was unable to live up to expectations and was considered a disappointment both critically and commercially.
Mirzya (2016)
“Mirzya” is a romantic drama film directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, known for his work on “Rang De Basanti” and “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.” The film serves as a modern adaptation of the Punjabi folklore of Mirza Sahiban. It marked the acting debut of Harshvardhan Kapoor, son of actor Anil Kapoor, and also introduced Saiyami Kher as the female lead. The movie follows the tragic love story of Mirza and Sahiban, set in contemporary Rajasthan.
Despite the innovative storytelling and visually striking cinematography, “Mirzya” failed to resonate with both critics and audiences. While some praised the film’s artistic elements and ambition, many criticized its convoluted narrative structure and lack of emotional depth. Additionally, the film faced tough competition at the box office and failed to attract audiences in significant numbers, resulting in poor box office performance.
Despite its shortcomings in terms of commercial success, “Mirzya” was appreciated by some for its visual aesthetics and attempt to bring a classic folklore to the modern screen. However, it remains one of the notable disappointments of 2016 in Bollywood.
