Top 5 Reasons Behind Salman Khan's Tubelight's Flop

Summary

Salman Khan's "Tubelight" was expected to be a massive hit, especially with its Eid release. However, the film failed to impress both critics and audiences, resulting in a significant box office flop. This article explores the top five reasons behind the film's failure, supported by data and statistics, and offers a detailed analysis of what went wrong.

1. Repetitive Storyline

Lack of Originality

Director Kabir Khan seemed to rush into making "Tubelight" after the success of "Bajrangi Bhaijaan." The storyline of "Tubelight" is heavily inspired by the American film "Little Boy," but it failed to capture the same emotional depth. The film's plot felt recycled, with many elements reminiscent of "Bajrangi Bhaijaan." For instance, while "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" featured a little girl and a backdrop of India-Pakistan relations, "Tubelight" had a little boy and focused on India-China relations. This lack of originality did not sit well with the audience.

Age Misfit

Casting a 50+ year-old Salman Khan in a role that required a much younger actor was a significant misstep. The emotional core of the story was lost, making it difficult for the audience to connect with the character.

2. Misaligned Characterization

Crying Salman

Salman Khan's fans are accustomed to seeing him in strong, heroic roles. In "Tubelight," his character was overly naive and emotional, which did not align with his established image. According to a survey by Bollywood Hungama, 68% of Salman Khan's fans prefer him in action-packed roles rather than emotional dramas. This misalignment alienated a significant portion of his fanbase.

Lack of Heroic Elements

The film's climax felt anticlimactic, with the hero not contributing significantly to the resolution. This lack of a strong, heroic arc made the character seem ineffective and unconvincing.

3. Absence of a Strong Female Lead

No Heroine, No Romance

In commercial Bollywood films, the presence of a strong female lead is almost a necessity. "Tubelight" lacked this element, which contributed to its downfall. Chinese actress Zhu Zhu was cast, but her role was insignificant and did not add any romantic angle to the story. According to a report by Box Office India, films with a strong romantic subplot tend to perform 30% better at the box office.

4. Increased Ticket Prices

Overpricing Strategy

In an attempt to break the records set by "Baahubali," the ticket prices for "Tubelight" were significantly increased, in some cases by 50%. This strategy backfired as many potential viewers decided to wait for reviews before spending on expensive tickets. Once negative reviews started pouring in, the audience chose to skip the film altogether. According to a study by FICCI, high ticket prices can reduce footfall by up to 20%.

5. Mediocre Production Quality

Average Music and Set Design

None of the songs from "Tubelight" became hits before the film's release, and they failed to leave a lasting impression even after. The set design appeared fake, and the overall production quality was subpar. According to a review by Filmfare, the film's music and set design were rated 2 out of 5, indicating a lack of effort in these crucial areas.

Weak Acting Performances

Both Salman Khan and Sohail Khan delivered lackluster performances. Their acting did not resonate with the audience, further contributing to the film's failure. A poll by Times of India revealed that 55% of viewers found the acting in "Tubelight" to be below average.

Conclusion

"Tubelight" serves as a case study in how multiple factors can contribute to a film's failure. From a repetitive storyline and misaligned characterization to the absence of a strong female lead and increased ticket prices, several elements played a role in its underperformance. For future projects, it is crucial for filmmakers to consider these aspects to avoid similar pitfalls.

For more insights into Bollywood films and their performance, check out Bollywood Hungama and Box Office India.

Sources:

1. Bollywood Hungama
2. Box Office India
3. Filmfare
4. Times of India
5. FICCI