'Thugs of Hindostan' to 'Kalank': Bollywood films that failed despite their stellar casts

Featuring Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan together for the first time, 'Thugs of Hindostan' was one of the most anticipated releases of its time. Unfortunately, the film fell flat due to a lackluster storyline, clumsy direction, and overblown visual effects. Despite the massive hype and big names, it turned out to be a major box-office disappointment.

With a dream cast of Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Sonakshi Sinha, and Aditya Roy Kapur, 'Kalank' had all the makings of an epic drama. However, the film’s slow pace, weak writing, and predictable plot failed to do justice to the talent involved. Despite its visual grandeur, it lacked emotional depth and narrative strength.

Rohit Shetty’s 'Cirkus', starring Ranveer Singh and Varun Sharma, was expected to be a laugh riot. Instead, the film received poor reviews for its exaggerated humour and weak storyline. Despite the energetic cast, it struggled to strike a chord with audiences and became one of the biggest disappointments of 2022.

Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Abhishek Bachchan, 'Happy New Year' delivered glitz, glamour, and catchy music but little else. The story felt overly familiar and simplistic, relying heavily on the ensemble’s star power rather than a solid script. While it drew crowds initially, it failed to impress critics.

Boasting an enormous cast that included Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Manisha Koirala, 'Jaani Dushman' promised a thrilling supernatural saga. Instead, it became infamous for its bizarre plot, inconsistent tone, and excessive use of special effects. Despite its big names, the film failed to connect with audiences.

The third installment in the popular 'Race' franchise starred Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Bobby Deol. Audiences expected an edge-of-the-seat thriller, but what they got was a confusing and poorly written story filled with clichéd twists. The film became a meme sensation rather than a blockbuster hit.

An ambitious remake of the cult classic 'Sholay', this film featured Amitabh Bachchan as the menacing Babban Singh alongside Ajay Devgn and Mohanlal. However, it ended up being one of the biggest critical and commercial disasters in Bollywood history. Weak storytelling and poor direction turned this remake into a cautionary tale for filmmakers.