Alia Bhatt has earned her place as one of the leading actresses of Bollywood through sheer talent and a series of powerhouse performances. Over the past 12 years, she has defied the odds and risen above the nepotism debate, captivating audiences with her roles in critically acclaimed movies like Highway, 2 States, Udta Punjab, Gully Boy, and Gangubai Kathiawadi. Yet, even the most successful actors have their share of disappointments. In this article, we delve into Alia Bhatt’s most significant commercial failure at the box office.
The film in question is the grand spectacle of Kalank—released on April 17, 2019. The movie boasted an ensemble cast that included Varun Dhawan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt, and Madhuri Dixit alongside Alia Bhatt. Helmed by the director Abhishek Varman, Kalank was a period romantic drama with high expectations to shatter box office records and redefine cinematic benchmarks. However, contrary to expectations, it instead became one of the most notable disasters of the year.
Kalank was especially close to producer Karan Johar, who had conceptualized the film nearly 15 years prior with his father, the late Yash Johar. The movie reunited Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit as on-screen partners after a long hiatus of 21 years since Mahaanta in 1996, stirring a buzz among their fans. Yet, despite the initial excitement and a bumper opening day, bringing in Rs. 21.60 crore, the film’s earnings plummeted sharply in the following days. Critical reviews were a mixed bag; while aspects such as the soundtrack, cinematography, production design, and costumes garnered praise, the film faced heavy criticism for its direction, storyline, lethargic screenplay, and overdrawn length. Ultimately, Kalank, with an estimated budget of Rs. 150 crores, barely made Rs. 146 crores at the box office, marking a regrettable chapter for Dharma Productions and Varun Dhawan alike.
The star-studded original cast of the film, as conceived in the early 2000s, included the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Kajol in the lead roles. Amitabh Bachchan was also approached to play Balraj Chaudhary. The project’s initial cancellation followed the death of Yash Johar, rendering Karan Johar unable to proceed with the project out of grief. The film eventually saw a revival but met with another sorrowful setback: the sudden demise of actress Sridevi. Madhuri Dixit graciously stepped into the role originally meant for Sridevi, while other roles saw multiple considerations before finalizing the cast.
The fallout from Kalank was notable. Director Abhishek Varman took a five-year hiatus from the director’s chair following this misstep. Considering the success of his debut, 2 States, this was a significant retreat. After Kalank, Varman has maintained a reclusive profile, distancing himself from both the film industry and social media. There were also rumblings that Karan Johar placed his dream project, Takht, on indefinite hold post the film’s failure, leaving fans to wonder what could have been achieved.
This narrative serves as a reminder that the tumultuous world of cinema can be as unpredictable as it is glamorous. Alia Bhatt’s journey in the industry further emphasizes the resilience needed to navigate through the highs and lows of an acting career.
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