Indian Movies That Flopped Despite Huge Hype: The Indian film industry is known for its glitz, glamour, and fanfare. With stars boasting cult-like followings and production houses spending crores on promotion, expectations can soar sky-high.

Yet, not all heavily promoted films live up to the buzz. Some crash and burn spectacularly, leaving audiences and producers equally disappointed. Here’s a look at Indian movies that generated immense hype but failed to deliver at the box office.

1. Bombay Velvet (2015)

Director: Anurag Kashyap
Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Karan Johar

Bombay Velvet was one of the most anticipated films of 2015. With acclaimed director Anurag Kashyap at the helm and a massive budget of around ₹120 crore, expectations were sky-high. The film was heavily promoted as a stylish noir thriller set in 1960s Bombay, and its grand visuals, jazzy music, and period detailing garnered attention.

However, the movie fell flat upon release. Critics found the storytelling disjointed and the narrative dull. Audiences couldn’t connect with the characters, and the film became one of Bollywood’s most talked-about flops.

2. Raavan (2010)

Director: Mani Ratnam
Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Vikram

Raavan had everything going for it — a legendary director, real-life couple Aishwarya and Abhishek, and a massive marketing push. Inspired by the Ramayana, the movie was expected to be both a visual and emotional masterpiece.

Despite its hype, the film received mixed reviews and was criticized for its confusing narrative and overindulgent style. Audiences felt let down, and the movie performed poorly at the box office. Its Tamil version (Raavanan), however, fared relatively better.

3. Zero (2018)

Director: Aanand L. Rai
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif

Zero promised a unique storyline featuring Shah Rukh Khan as a vertically challenged man. The trailer created massive buzz, with VFX being touted as a milestone in Bollywood.

Unfortunately, the film didn’t meet expectations. While the performances were praised, the plot spiraled into an incoherent mess after the first half. Critics and audiences alike panned its lack of emotional depth and narrative clarity, leading to a disappointing box office run.

4. Thugs of Hindostan (2018)

Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya
Starring: Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif

This mega-budget film from Yash Raj Films was projected to be India’s answer to Pirates of the Caribbean. With two legendary actors, lavish sets, and high-octane action, it had blockbuster written all over it.

But when the film released, it was met with near-universal criticism. Viewers found the story shallow, the direction uninspired, and the performances lackluster. Despite a record-breaking opening, word of mouth quickly killed its momentum, making it a colossal failure.

5. Liger (2022)

Director: Puri Jagannadh
Starring: Vijay Deverakonda, Ananya Panday, Mike Tyson

Marketed as a pan-India action drama, Liger was hyped for months. Vijay Deverakonda’s Bollywood debut, American boxing legend Mike Tyson’s cameo, and the film’s aggressive promotions created massive pre-release excitement.

However, the movie was universally panned for its weak script, cringe-worthy dialogues, and outdated storytelling. Audiences were particularly disappointed with its treatment of serious themes in an unintentionally comical way, turning Liger into a social media meme rather than a blockbuster.

6. Laal Singh Chaddha (2022)

Director: Advait Chandan
Starring: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan

Adapted from the Hollywood classic Forrest Gump, Laal Singh Chaddha had all the ingredients for success. Aamir Khan’s return to the big screen after four years only added to the excitement.

Unfortunately, despite the scale and sincerity behind the project, the film didn’t click with Indian audiences. Many felt the adaptation didn’t suit Indian sensibilities, and some criticized Aamir’s performance as overly caricatured. Coupled with boycott calls, the film underperformed despite its pedigree.

7. Tubelight (2017)

Director: Kabir Khan
Starring: Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, Zhu Zhu

Coming off hits like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, expectations from Tubelight were sky-high. It was marketed as an emotional war drama that showcased Salman Khan in a different light.

However, the film failed to tug at the audience’s heartstrings. Many found it melodramatic, slow-paced, and emotionally manipulative. Critics pointed out that Salman’s performance lacked nuance, which ultimately contributed to its lukewarm reception.

8. Adipurush (2023)

Director: Om Raut
Starring: Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, Saif Ali Khan

One of the most hyped mythological epics in recent times, Adipurush aimed to re-tell the Ramayana with a modern twist and heavy VFX.

But the film was harshly criticized for its poor visual effects, controversial dialogues, and liberties taken with the original tale. Despite a strong opening weekend, word-of-mouth led to a dramatic drop in collections. What was expected to be a monumental success turned into a case study in over-promising and under-delivering.

In an industry as unpredictable as Indian cinema, even star power, massive budgets, and aggressive marketing can’t guarantee success. What these flops show is that storytelling remains paramount.

Audiences today are more discerning than ever and expect films to offer not just spectacle, but substance. When hype overshadows content, the results can be both costly and disappointing.