Why Indian Superhero Movies Struggle at the Box Office

Explore the disappointing box office performances of Indian superhero films like Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, Mard Ko Dard Nhi Hota, Drona, and Ra One. 

The Indian film industry has given the audience some spectacular movies in every genre. Be it action, romance, or drama, Indian filmmakers and actors have been able to ace it through their compelling storytelling and acting that has seen them win many prestigious awards at national and international forums.

The only genre that the Indian movie industry has failed to capitalise on is the one comprising superheroes. Although there have been attempts to produce India’s very own Marvel-like superhero movie, most of those have resulted in a box office disaster.

Bhavesh Joshi Superhero

Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Bhavesh Joshi Superstar, starring Harshvardhan Kapoor. was an attempt to portray the angry young man of the 21st century, and the movie failed miserably at the box office. One of the reasons for the failure of the film co-written by Anurag Kashyap was its unconventional topic, which the conventional audience failed to connect with. Having said that, the film found its mojo on OTT when it was released on Netflix.

Mard ko Dard Nhi Hota

Directed by Vasan Bala Mard Ko Dard Nhi Hota is also one of those movies that didn’t perform as per expectation at the box office but were able to find success in the OTT space. Starring Abhimanyu Dassani, Gulshan Devaiah Mahesh Manjrekar, and Radhika Madan, the movie focuses on the story of a man who is suffering from congenital analgesia (a disorder in which a person loses his ability to feel pain.) Released in 2018, the film received mixed responses at the box office, but it was loved by the audience on OTT.

Drona

There was a time during the early 2000s when Bollywood made a genuine attempt to venture into Indian superheroes and sci-fi movies. Drone and Love Stoy 2050 are prime examples of that. If we talk about Drona the movie, it was about a king named Drona who was unaware of the superpowers that he had failed badly at the box office. The film was successful in generating a lot of interest among the audience at the time of its release due to its VFX and budget, but it eventually turned out to be a big disappointment for the fans and is termed as one of the biggest failures of Abhishek Bachchan’s career who starred in the film along with Priyanka Chopra Kay Kay Menon and Jaya Bachchan.

Ra.One

Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, and Arjun Rampal starring in Ra One had the potential of setting the benchmark for an Indian superhero film but failed due to his erratic storytelling in the second half. Directed by Anubhav Sinha and produced by Red Chilli’s Entertainment, the film that was released in 2011 was way ahead of its time in terms of VFX but failed to leave an impact on the audience as the film which was marketed as a film targeted toward kids ventured into a typical Bollywood movie.

What Went Wrong?

Several factors contribute to the struggles of Indian superhero movies:

• Unconventional plots: Some superhero films feature complex or mature themes that may not appeal to the typical superhero movie audience expecting a lighter tone.
• Focus on established stars: A big-name actor doesn't automatically translate to superhero success. The character and story need to be equally strong.
• Derivative storylines: Simply copying existing superhero tropes from Hollywood movies might not resonate with Indian audiences.

The Future of Indian Superheroes

Despite the box office setbacks, there's still hope for Indian superheroes. Studios are likely re-evaluating their approach, focusing on original stories and characters that resonate with Indian audiences.

It is perhaps due to failures such as these that people have turned to other types of media for their entertainment. Nowadays, one might argue that you can have more fun going away from the movie screens to our smartphones or laptops, and one reason for this is the lack of movies with great stories. People prefer to spend their time on something meaningful where they can enjoy themselves, and online gaming platforms offering live casino online real money are taking advantage of this trend with their engaging and thrilling games that make people feel excited and curious. India needs to produce movies with compelling stories so that the audience can connect with them.