The curtain rose with great fanfare for superstar Hrithik Roshan’s “Fighter,” as it premiered across Indian cinemas on January 25, 2024. High hopes were pinned on this film to lead the box office race, given its status as the year’s opening big Bollywood spectacle. A blend of star power, acclaimed directorial talent, and a promising storyline conspired to set the stage for a triumphant theatrical run. However, shadows of disappointment crept in as box office receipts told a different story; the numbers fell conspicuously short of expectations, triggering a wave of bewilderment among aficionados and industry savants alike.
The film’s box office journey commenced with promising numbers, reeling in 23 crores on day one. Momentum seemed to build as crowds flocked to theaters on Republic Day, bolstering its collection with a 38-crore haul. Yet, the subsequent days defied typical trends; a meager growth saw only an additional 28 crores trickle in during the next holiday. The most jarring wake-up call echoed on Monday when the film’s earnings plummeted to a mere 7.5 crores.
How did such a star-studded feature, under the banner of a renowned director who previously churned out megahits, veer off course? To unravel this mystery, we present five compelling reasons, as discerned by film analysts, for the underwhelming performance of “Fighter” at the Indian box office.
Firstly, the trailer, though competently produced, failed to captivate. It bore a striking resemblance to numerous action-heavy narratives seen before, and in the wake of films with groundbreaking trailers like “Animal” and “Jawaan,” it inevitably felt underwhelming.
Secondly, the promotional round seemed insufficient, lacking the vigor necessary to kindle nationwide fervor. Amid a slew of campaigns that saturate media spaces, “Fighter” struggled to carve a unique presence, thereby failing to secure an enthusiastic audience base prior to its release.
Moreover, an action genre saturation left audiences seeking respite. With the market inundated with high-octane films, “Fighter” may have found itself ensnared in a web of redundancy, leading onlookers to pursue fresher cinematic domains.
A critical juncture was the film’s targeting misstep. “Fighter” predominantly catered to the sensibilities of urban multiplex-goers—leaving the vast landscape of Hindi belt audiences in smaller cities relatively untapped. It’s an especially concerning oversight given that Roshan’s widespread fan following cuts across demographic divides.
Lastly, the narrative’s core—an aerial combat milieu—presented a genre seldom explored in the Indian film realm. The resultant unfamiliarity perhaps caused a disconnect for the viewers seeking relatable content. Analogies drawn to the Hollywood juggernaut “Top Gun: Maverick” further accentuated its niche status, doing little to bridge this gap.
Nevertheless, “Fighter” staged a commendable feat beyond domestic borders. Raking in an impressive $8.5 million within the first eight days, notably propelled by its US and Canadian earnings, the film demonstrated its international appeal.
Looking forward from the puzzling paradox of “Fighter’s” box office tale, Hrithik Roshan’s horizon holds the much-anticipated “WAR 2.” Slated for 2025, this Pan India film is part of the YRF Spy Universe, promising an epic showdown where Roshan faces off with the luminary JR NTR. Amidst the rubble of “Fighter’s” underachievement, Roshan’s forthcoming venture stirs up expectations once more, with pundits and fans alike betting on a dramatic comeback, a blockbuster that could rewrite the narratives of scaling the box office bastions.
