Bollywood’s latest action drama, Baby John, starring Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, and Wamiqa Gabba, has made headlines not for its thrilling action but for its disappointing box office performance. Released amidst high expectations, the film collected Rs. 11.25 crores nett on opening day—a number that falls short given the holiday advantage it enjoyed.
Despite the film’s potential, Baby John faced a steep decline on its second day, recording only Rs. 5.13 crores nett. With a two-day total of Rs. 16.38 crores nett, many industry experts believe these figures should have been reflective of an opening day performance, especially considering the film’s connection to the beloved Thalapathy Vijay classic, Theri.
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The film’s struggles echo the broader challenges faced by Bollywood post-COVID-19. The rise of over-the-top (OTT) platforms has pushed remakes like Baby John to the back foot, especially those that were meant to captivate audiences after significant hits like Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor. Critics argue that remaking a popular film like Theri in 2024 isn’t the best strategy, especially when anticipation outweighed execution.
Baby John may find it difficult to recover its budgeting on the weekend. As the film continues to air, it remains to be seen whether it can pave a triumphant path for Varun Dhawan or join the list of below-par remakes in Bollywood’s history.