Kangana Ranaut's Box Office Blues: The Troubling Truth Behind Her Consecutive Flops

Kangana Ranaut, a name that has been synonymous with exceptional acting talent and bold choices in Bollywood, has been facing a prolonged drought at the box office. With a filmography that boasts 31 movies, an unsettling 22 of them have been categorized as flops, painting a grim picture of her box office trajectory over the years.

Despite her strong screen presence and a repertoire that includes National Award-winning performances, Kangana's recent releases have struggled to make a significant impact at the ticket counters. The latest release, Emergency, marks her sixth consecutive flop, further underscoring the challenges she faces in resonating with audiences.

Over the past decade, Kangana has delivered a disappointing 10 flops out of 11 releases, with the sole exception being Manikarnika – The Queen Of Jhansi (2019), which managed an average box office verdict. This period coincides with her rise as a leading actor known for solo-led projects, but it also highlights a disconnect between her choice of films and their box office performance.

Kangana's recent films have seen a notable decline in box office collections, averaging around Rs. 11.5 crore lifetime business post-COVID. This is a significant dip from her pre-pandemic average of Rs. 15 crores, reflecting the shifting dynamics of audience preferences and the challenges faced by mid-budget films in the current cinematic landscape.

Trade veteran Taran Adarsh attributes the poor performance of Emergency to its delayed release, stating that had the film arrived earlier, it would have benefitted greatly from the initial buzz and promotions. He also opines that the current generation may not be too keen on knowing about the Emergency, and the abrupt scenes in the film, possibly due to censorship, may have deterred audiences.

Adarsh praises Kangana's acting talent, emphasizing her tremendous growth and ability to portray complex characters with nuance. However, he suggests that she should explore different genres and not stick to one particular type of film, recommending light entertainers over heavy, politically charged films.

Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, echoes Adarsh's sentiments, stating that Kangana's off-screen personality has started dominating her on-screen avatar, making it challenging for the audience to disconnect between the two. He laments the loss of an exceptional actress who could have done remarkable work, citing her previous successes like Tanu Weds Manu Returns, which collected Rs. 150 crores a decade ago.

Kangana has always been lauded for taking risks with her choice of films, often opting for unconventional stories and strong female characters. However, the commercial viability of such projects has been a recurring challenge. As the cinematic landscape continues to evolve, there remains hope that her future projects will strike a balance between critical acclaim and box office success, allowing her to bounce back from this prolonged drought.

Kangana Ranaut's box office report card after Tanu Weds Manu Returns tells a story of struggle, with films like I Love NY, Katti Batti, Rangoon, Simran, Judgementall Hai Kya, Panga, Thalaivii, Dhaakad, Tejas, and Emergency failing to impress at the box office. The future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – Kangana needs to reinvent and recharge to reclaim her position in the hearts of audiences and at the box office.