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As Akshay Kumar’s latest action-packed offering, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, graces the silver screen, the famous Bollywood actor’s ongoing struggle in the box office spotlight persists. Despite the film’s alignment with the patriotic movie trope, it faces numerous challenges, garnering lukewarm responses from critics and audiences alike.
Kumar, alongside co-star Tiger Shroff, has encountered a testing period at the box office in recent years. Notably, his 2019 release, Good Newwz, marked his last significant success, following which he faced a considerable dry spell. While he made a tentative comeback with OMG 2, the film predominantly showcased actor Pankaj Tripathi, leaving Kumar’s leading roles in lackluster performance. Subsequently, Sooryavanshi in 2021 and subsequent 2022 releases saw mixed to disastrous results at the box office. Even in 2023, films such as Selfiee and Mission Raniganj struggled to make an impact. His Diwali 2023 festival release, Ram Setu, also failed to resonate with audiences, leaving Kumar’s hopeful aspirations pinned on his current movie, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.
The film, which debuted in April 2024, embodies the archetypal Bollywood blend of patriotism and action. However, the veneer of familiarity and formulaic narrative has not garnered overwhelming positivity. With an ensemble cast including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manushi Chhillar, Ronit Roy, Alaya F, and Sonakshi Sinha, the movie’s official announcement in 2022 sparked high anticipation. However, marketing missteps and underwhelming promotional material left much to be desired in generating public interest. The teaser managed to pique some excitement with glimpses of gripping action sequences, but subsequent aspects such as the Mast Malang Jhoom song and title track fell short, failing to establish momentum. Even the highly anticipated trailer failed to make a significant impact, resulting in minimal buzz surrounding the movie’s release.
Moreover, the movie review further supports the lukewarm reception. Describing Bollywood’s tendency to resort to the tried-and-tested patriotic formula, critics lament the lack of innovation and emphasis on a predictable narrative with enduring stereotypes. The overarching touchdown on patriotic tropes, brave-hearted soldiers, and action-packed sequences is underscored, revealing the film’s conformity rather than breaking new ground.
As the cinematic endeavor navigates its course in the box office, it confronts an uphill battle in captivating audiences and critics with a novel portrayal of patriotic action films. Akshay Kumar’s foray in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan stands as an emblem of his enduring pursuit for a substantial box office victory, a personal quest that continues to elude him amidst the realm of Bollywood’s dynamic and ever-evolving cinematic landscape.
