Baby John’s Day 8 Struggles: From Promising Start to Losing 2500 Shows!
Released with much fanfare during the Christmas weekend, Varun Dhawan’s “Baby John” was touted to be a major hit for the Bollywood actor. However, as the days went by, it became increasingly clear that this film was not what audiences had been hoping for.
What was meant to be a festive blockbuster quickly turned into a story of underperformance and disappointment, as the film failed to maintain momentum at the box office.
A Rocky Start: Initial Success Quickly Fades
“Baby John” opened well with Rs 11.25 crore on the first day of its release and hopes seemed to soar that it would go strong at the box office. However, things saw a steep southward course on day two when the film earned just Rs 4.75 crore.
The film having decent faces Keerthy Suresh and a cameo by Salman Khan did not help the cause, and the enthusiasm of the audience was over before it began.
The film’s early decline was harsh and perhaps shocking, given the fact that Varun Dhawan, who is known for strong box office performances, was returning to the big screen after his 2022 film “Bhediya.”
The horror-comedy had earned a respectable Rs 94.91 crore, well above the budget of Rs 60 crore. But “Baby John” was different, and its collections never seemed to gather steam. Industry sources feel that it would settle around Rs 60 crore, miles away from what was initially predicted.
A Disaster for the Star Actor
Varun Dhawan’s “Baby John” might end up as one of his career’s lowest grossers. Currently, the total collections of the film stand at just Rs 35.40 crore, which raises more than an eyebrow on the part of both the actor and the makers.
While Varun’s fans may still hold out hope for a last-minute turnaround, it is clear that the film’s performance has not lived up to expectations. After the lukewarm reception of “Baby John,” the question remains—where did things go wrong?
For one, the film has been made at a lavish cost of Rs 160 crore. This puts the pressure on box office earnings to reach the expectations level. The film had all the ingredients of becoming a winner – huge budget and star power, but “Baby John” failed to capture the hearts of the viewers.
One strong reason for this film not having done well may be that there was no positive word-of-mouth marketing. Despite its stellar cast and a Christmas release, “Baby John” has not managed to generate the sort of excitement that is expected to help movies go well.
The movie has resulted in a steep drop in shows with a staggering 2500 shows being withdrawn from across India within one week. The movie till January 1, saw earnings as low as Rs 2.75 crore.
Watch out the Trailer:
How Baby John Was Outshone by “Pushpa 2”
While “Baby John” was struggling with depressing numbers, the Hindi version of “Pushpa 2: The Rule” continued to rule the box office. It completed its fourth Wednesday by earning Rs 13.15 crore. Of this, Rs 9.5 crore came from the Hindi version. Success like this not only certified the strength of mass appeal films but also proved the fact that audiences now are thronging to more interesting narratives.
It’s no surprise that “Pushpa 2” is at the top of the box office chart while “Baby John” appears to be at the end. The audience has spoken, and it seems they are moving towards more entertaining and high-energy films like “Pushpa 2,” which entertains, creates action, and gives thrill—things that “Baby John” could not provide.
Although “Baby John” was a failure, Varun Dhawan hasn’t faced a full-fledged flop series throughout his career. The actor also had the blockbuster “Stree 2,” which is one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2024. And, with his upcoming film “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari,” he has the opportunity to regain momentum and be back in the game.
However, the flop of “Baby John” will be a cautionary tale for future Bollywood releases, as it shows that even the most bankable stars can struggle if the film’s story, marketing, and execution do not resonate with the audience. As Varun Dhawan gets ready for his next project, he will have to ensure that he taps into the current trends in cinema that are capturing the attention of the audience.
Also Read: Shahid Kapoor in Deva: Why His Jaw-Dropping Transformation is the Talk of Bollywood Right Now?
The Price of High Expectations
The takeaway of “Baby John” would be the more the merrier, or the importance of quality over quantity, for this movie had all the money and stars in the world but just failed to reach an audience.
Bollywood’s box office landscape is always in the making, and as more flicks experiment with newer storylines, only time can tell whether “Baby John” can bounce back from this devastating performance or if it will be remembered as one of the rare few from this actor.
Whatsoever, but lessons served here form a perfect dose to anyone looking into cracking the code of box office success in this increasingly competitive industry.
Also Read: Glimpses of 2025: Kapoor Clan’s Unforgettable Thai Holiday!
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