Salman Khan's Biggest Flop Movies: Actresses Quit Bollywood After These Disasters

Laila Abdi

4 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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Analyzing the Box Office Disasters

Judwaa 2 (2017): A Disappointing Sequel

While the original Judwaa remains a beloved comedy classic, its 2017 sequel, starring Salman Khan's protégé Varun Dhawan, significantly underperformed. Featuring Taapsee Pannu and Jacqueline Fernandez in prominent roles, Judwaa 2, despite its star cast and catchy music, failed to live up to expectations.

• Lower-than-expected box office numbers: While profitable, the film didn't reach the blockbuster status predicted, considering the star power involved and the success of the original.
• Critical reviews highlighting a weak script and predictable plot: Many critics felt the film lacked originality and failed to capture the charm of the original. The story was deemed stale and uninspired, a common criticism of many sequels.
• Comparison to the success of the original Judwaa: The massive gap in box office performance between the two films highlights the sequel's failure to connect with audiences.
• Post-film career analysis for Taapsee Pannu and Jacqueline Fernandez: Both actresses continued to secure roles after Judwaa 2, demonstrating that the film's underperformance didn't drastically hinder their careers. Taapsee Pannu, in particular, went on to star in several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. Jacqueline Fernandez also maintained a strong presence in Bollywood. The film's failure, therefore, was not a career-ending blow for either actress.

Tubelight (2017): A Critical and Commercial Failure

Tubelight, another Salman Khan starrer from 2017, stands out as a particularly significant box office disappointment. Despite Salman Khan's immense star power, the film bombed spectacularly. Chinese actress Zhu Zhu made her Bollywood debut in this film.

• Extremely low box office returns for a Salman Khan film: The film's poor performance was a major surprise given the actor's typical box office dominance.
• Negative critical response citing a slow pace and unconvincing storyline: Critics widely panned the film for its languid pace and unconvincing narrative.
• Zhu Zhu's limited Bollywood career after Tubelight: While the film didn't entirely derail Zhu Zhu's career, it certainly didn't launch her into Bollywood stardom. She has had limited opportunities in the Indian film industry since.
• Analyze the film's impact on Salman Khan's box-office record: Tubelight serves as a rare example of a significant box office failure for Salman Khan, highlighting the risks even A-list stars face.

Other Notable Box Office Disappointments

Other films like Main Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005), while not outright flops, underperformed relative to expectations. The leading ladies in these films, while not experiencing career devastation, did not necessarily receive the significant career boosts that some other Salman Khan co-stars had enjoyed.

The Impact on Actresses' Careers

Career Shifts and Diversification

The actresses featured in Salman Khan's less successful ventures haven't uniformly seen their careers collapse. Many have successfully diversified their portfolios. This includes exploring regional cinema, venturing into television, or embracing digital platforms. This adaptability showcases the resilience of these performers.

The Role of Public Perception

Public perception significantly influences an actress's career trajectory. While a flop film may initially generate negative publicity, its long-term impact depends on the actress's ability to choose successful follow-up roles and showcase versatility in their acting skills.

Beyond Box Office Numbers

It's crucial to remember that an actress's career trajectory isn't solely determined by the box office success or failure of one film. Personal choices, the types of roles offered post-flop films, and overall industry dynamics also heavily influence their careers.

Conclusion

Salman Khan's filmography, though predominantly successful, includes some noteworthy box office underperformers. While it's difficult to directly attribute the career paths of the actresses solely to these films’ failures, the box office performance of a movie – particularly one starring a superstar like Salman Khan – can undeniably shape public perception and potentially influence future opportunities. This exploration of Salman Khan's biggest flop movies and their effect on the actresses involved highlights the intricate relationship between star power, film success, and individual career trajectories within Bollywood's dynamic landscape. Continue reading to discover more about the fluctuating fortunes of Bollywood stars and the impact of both successes and failures on their careers by searching for "Bollywood flops," "actress careers," and "Salman Khan movies."