Atlee's rollercoaster Bollywood journey: From triumph to setback

The film industry is notorious for its unpredictable highs and lows, and Atlee, a promising young filmmaker, seems to be experiencing this firsthand.

After a spectacular debut in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, Atlee became a household name. The film grossed over ₹1,000 crore at the box office, driven by Shah Rukh Khan’s star power and Atlee’s ability to cater to fans' expectations. The success catapulted Atlee into the Bollywood limelight, making him a sought-after name in the industry.

Also read: Bollywood struggles while Telugu films dominate Box Office in 2024

Following this triumph, Atlee ventured into producing Baby John, a remake of his Tamil hit Theri. Released on December 25, the Varun Dhawan-starrer was hyped as Atlee’s next big project. Atlee himself actively promoted the film, even declaring it would make Varun the next Bollywood superstar, akin to Ranbir Kapoor's transformation with Animal.

However, reality hasn’t matched the rhetoric. Baby John has grossed just ₹27 crore so far and is projected to cap at around ₹50 crore—a far cry from Jawan’s box office glory. Despite lukewarm initial reception, audiences have largely stayed away, making the film a commercial disappointment.

Atlee’s meteoric rise with Jawan now faces a stark contrast with Baby John’s underwhelming performance. The once-promising filmmaker must now navigate the unpredictable currents of Bollywood as he works to recover his momentum.