As another cinematic year draws to a close, Bollywood finds itself at a familiar yet uncomfortable crossroads. Despite massive budgets, star power, aggressive marketing, and franchise value, several high-profile Hindi films failed to meet expectations at the box office in 2025. These underperformers were not just commercial setbacks; they reflected deeper structural issues within the industry, from outdated storytelling and overreliance on spectacle to changing audience sensibilities in the post-pandemic era. This list of underperforming Bollywood films is not about ridicule or blame, but about understanding why even seemingly “safe bets” struggled to connect with audiences.
The year began with Emergency, a political drama that arrived burdened with controversy, expectations, and an enormous production cost. Positioned as a serious historical-political narrative, the film attempted to dramatize one of India’s most sensitive periods. However, its reception revealed a widening gap between intent and execution. While political dramas demand nuance, balance, and narrative depth, Emergency struggled with tonal inconsistency and polarized reactions. The film faced resistance from multiple sides of the political spectrum, which impacted its theatrical run. Combined with its massive budget and limited repeat value, the film ended up as a significant financial loss, highlighting how politically charged cinema in India requires far more precision than provocation.
Perhaps the most talked-about underperformance of the year was Sikandar, starring Salman Khan. On paper, the film had all the ingredients of a blockbuster: a superstar at the helm, a mass-action template, and a festive release window. Yet, despite earning approximately ₹182 crore, the film fell short of its reported ₹200 crore budget, rendering it commercially unsuccessful. Audience fatigue with formulaic storytelling, predictable action beats, and familiar character arcs played a major role. Sikandar demonstrated that even Salman Khan’s star power is no longer immune to shifting audience expectations, where content and novelty now outweigh mere presence.
The disappointment surrounding War 2 was particularly striking because it was a sequel to one of Bollywood’s most successful action films. High-octane promotions, larger-than-life action sequences, and intense hype suggested another box office juggernaut. However, the sequel failed to recreate the magic of its predecessor. Critics and audiences pointed out that War 2 leaned heavily on scale and spectacle while neglecting emotional depth and narrative coherence. The result was a film that looked impressive but felt hollow, reinforcing the idea that sequels must evolve rather than merely escalate.
Comedy sequels have historically been a reliable genre in Hindi cinema, but Son of Sardaar 2 proved that familiarity can quickly turn into fatigue. The film attempted to recreate the humor and energy of the original, yet its jokes felt dated, its narrative stretched thin, and its emotional beats largely ineffective. In an era where audiences are exposed to sharp comedy across OTT platforms, recycled humor and exaggerated performances failed to generate excitement. The underwhelming performance of Son of Sardaar 2 indicated that comedy franchises must reinvent themselves to stay relevant.
Action franchises also faced diminishing returns, most notably with Baaghi 4. Once known for its stylized action and youthful appeal, the Baaghi series has shown signs of creative exhaustion. The fourth installment continued the trend of high-intensity stunts but offered little innovation in terms of story or character development. Audiences who once flocked to theaters for gravity-defying action now seemed disengaged, signaling that spectacle alone is no longer sufficient. The film’s decline mirrors a broader issue in Bollywood’s action genre, where repetition has replaced reinvention.
Deva, another action-driven film, suffered from structural weaknesses despite its ambition. While the film featured elaborate set pieces and a serious tone, critics noted issues with pacing, character arcs, and narrative clarity. The film struggled to balance style with substance, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience. Deva serves as a reminder that action cinema requires strong storytelling foundations to sustain audience interest beyond the opening weekend.
Romantic dramas, once Bollywood’s strongest suit, faced a particularly harsh year, exemplified by Dhadak 2. The film attempted to build upon the emotional legacy of its predecessor but failed to strike the same chord. Audiences found the narrative predictable and emotionally underwhelming, with performances unable to compensate for a lack of freshness. In a landscape where romance has evolved to include realism and complexity, Dhadak 2 felt stuck in an older mold, leading to its status as a box office bomb.
Similarly, Maalik struggled to connect despite its thematic ambition. The film aimed to explore power, morality, and identity but lacked narrative cohesion and emotional engagement. Viewers found it difficult to invest in its characters, resulting in weak word-of-mouth. Maalik illustrates how meaningful themes must be supported by compelling storytelling to resonate with audiences.
Azaad entered the year with moderate expectations but failed to leave an impact. The film’s lackluster performance stemmed from weak promotion, an unclear genre identity, and minimal audience engagement. In a crowded release calendar, films without a strong hook or distinct voice are often overshadowed, and Azaad became a casualty of this competitive environment.
Rounding out the list is The Bhootni, a horror-comedy starring Sanjay Dutt. Horror-comedy has emerged as a popular genre in recent years, but The Bhootni fell short due to poor visual effects, inconsistent tone, and an underdeveloped script. Audiences who have grown accustomed to higher production values and smarter genre blending were unimpressed. The film’s failure underscored the importance of quality execution, especially in genres that rely heavily on atmosphere and timing.
Collectively, these underperforming films reveal a crucial truth about Bollywood’s current phase. The industry is in transition, navigating an audience that is more discerning, globally exposed, and content-driven than ever before. Star power, franchise value, and high budgets can no longer guarantee success. Viewers now demand authenticity, innovation, and emotional depth, whether in action, romance, comedy, or drama.
The underperformance of these films should not be seen solely as failures but as lessons. They signal a need for introspection within the industry, encouraging filmmakers to prioritize strong scripts, original ideas, and meaningful storytelling. As Bollywood moves forward, these box office setbacks may well become the catalysts for a creative resurgence, pushing Hindi cinema toward a mo¯re balanced and audience-centric future.
As the year ends, this list stands not as a condemnation, but as a reflection of changing times. Bollywood is being challenged, and perhaps, that challenge is exactly what it needs.