Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Bollywood 2025: Flops, Shifts, and Oscar Hopes
In 2025, many big Bollywood movies didn't do well because people didn't like the stories.
Movies like 'War 2' and 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' had big budgets and famous actors, but the stories were boring or not interesting.
Some movies, like 'Dhurandhar' and 'Homebound', did really well because they had good stories.
'Homebound' is even in the running for an Oscar!
Some studios are still making movies with big stars and lots of action, but people are getting tired of that.
They want better stories and unique ideas.
The movie 'Ikkis' had to change its release date to avoid competing with another big movie.
It's clear that just having big names and lots of money isn't enough anymore—people want good stories and interesting characters.
Several high-budget Bollywood films in 2025 failed to impress audiences despite star-studded casts and high budgets.
'War 2' grossed only ₹360.7 crore worldwide, with audiences finding the storyline thin and predictable.
Comedy films like 'De De Pyaar De 2' and 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' failed to connect with audiences due to forced humor and repetitive storylines.
Action films such as 'Baaghi 4' and 'Son of Sardaar 2' also underperformed, with 'Baaghi 4' grossing only ₹84.1 crore worldwide.
Mid-budget films like 'Deva' and 'Maa' struggled to leave a mark, with 'Deva' collecting only ₹58.6 crore worldwide.
- Who
- Bollywood filmmakers, actors, and audiences
- What
- Several high-budget Bollywood films failed at the box office in 2025, while others like 'Dhurandhar' and 'Homebound' succeeded.
- When
- Throughout 2025
- Where
- India and worldwide
- Why
- Audiences found the storylines weak, predictable, or unengaging, while successful films offered better storytelling and unique content.
Film Quality and Audience Preferences
Studio Strategies and Marketing
Film Quality and Audience Preferences
Film Quality and Audience Preferences
Audiences are increasingly demanding better storytelling and engaging content, rejecting films with weak scripts and predictable plots.
Studio Strategies and Marketing
Studios continue to invest heavily in star power and high budgets, hoping to attract audiences despite weaker scripts.
Studio Strategies and Marketing
Film Quality and Audience Preferences
Films like 'Homebound' and 'Dhadak 2' show that quality storytelling can succeed, even with limited marketing.
Studio Strategies and Marketing
Studios like YRF and Dharma are making risky decisions, such as releasing poorly received films like 'War 2' and 'Nadaaniyan', hoping for box office success.
- Ikkis
- Release date pushed to January 1, 2026, starring Agastya Nanda and Dharmendra, directed by Sriram Raghavan.
- Dhurandhar
- Ranveer Singh starrer, surpassing 'Saiyaara' and 'Pushpa 2', becoming Bollywood's biggest film in 2025.
- Homebound
- Oscar shortlist, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, criticized the establishment, and is considered the best Hindi film of the year.
- War 2
- ₹400 crore budget, grossed ₹360.7 crore worldwide, criticized for weak storyline and predictable plot.
- Dhadak 2
- Directed by Shazia Iqbal, one of the best films of the year, dealing with caste issues.
- Saiyaara
- Romantic drama, released without much hype, became one of the biggest hits of the year.
- Nadaaniyan
- Starring Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, heavily trolled, watched for the 'wrong reasons'.
- Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari
- Starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, criticized for forced humor and repetitive storyline.
Sources
Year-ender 2025: Bollywood films with big stars and big budgets that failed at the box office
Top 10 highest-grossing Indian movies of 2025: Worldwide box office collection and full hit list
Dharma backed both Homebound and Nadaaniyan; YRF bet on War 2 and Saiyaara: Do they know what works or is it all a fluke?
Ikkis hit by Dhurandhar fever: Release date pushed to avoid clash with Kartik Aryan’s film
