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10 times when Yash Raj Films let us down.
Over the decades, Yash Raj Films has given us many quality films.
The studio knows how to balance commercial blockbusters like Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai and Dhoom: 3 with socially relevant entertainers like Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Mardani and Sui Dhaaga.
Though many of its failures turn out profitable for YRF -- due to its strong studio establishment and the business model that it follows -- the films have cost the distributors and exhibitors heavily.
Joginder Tuteja looks at 10 YRF disappointments from the current decade.
Thugs of Hindostan
Box office collection: Rs 150 crore (expected lifetime collections)
Thugs was expected to be a blockbuster.
Though a lot has been said about its budget (there's no official word, of course), it is assumed to be in excess of Rs 150 crore.
The film -- starring Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif -- was expected to do a bare minimum business of at least Rs 300 crore, if not more. A good start in excess of Rs 50 crore on opening Thursday was great news too. But it has been a steady decline since.
Fan
Box office collection: Rs 85 crore
Before Thugs of Hindostan, Yash Raj suffered a rude shock with Fan.
A rare Shah Rukh Khan starrer which couldn't even enter the 100 crore club (the superstar later suffered a bigger disaster with Jab Harry Met Sejal), this double role film was actually double trouble as it could neither gain widespread critical acclaim (Please note: Our critic loved it!) not fetch commercial returns.
Kill Dil
Box office collection: Rs 35 crore
A Gunday redux with less menacing characters, this Ranveer Singh-Ali Zafar starrer had Govinda as the antagonist and Yash Raj discovery Parineeti Chopra as the leading lady.
The film could neither take a good start not sustain over time. The songs couldn't do much either.
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy
Box office collection: Rs 27.05 crore
There were expectations from the film since Byomkesh Bakshy has been a legendary character.
Director Dibakar Banerjee tried to create a different world with this Sushant Singh Rajput starrer, but an uneven narrative and inconsistency in storytelling meant audiences weren't enthralled.
Daawat-e-Ishq
Box office collection: Rs 26 crore
A light-hearted drama which brought to the fore the social issue of women misusing the law, this Aditya Roy Kapur-Parineeti Chopra starrer had its moments, but could not keep the audiences engrossed right through the narrative.
It wasn't a major flop per se, but fared below expectations.
Aurangzeb
Box office collection: Rs 22.35 crore
Aurangzeb featured Arjun Kapoor in a double role, with a strong supporting cast of Rishi Kapoor and Prithviraj.
Some dramatic moments, but the film was too long and didn't really entertain.
The film has accumulated its fans over time, but back then, it was rejected by audiences.
Bewakoofiyaan
Box office collection: Rs 14.01 crore
If Bewakoofiyaan had to release today, it would directly find a digital premiere for itself.
Though the cast -- Ayushmann Khurranna, Sonam Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor -- was quite good, this mid-budget film neither opened well nor worked at the box office.
Meri Pyaari Bindu
Box office collection: Rs 9.59 crore
This Ayushmann starrer should have done better than what it eventually did.
The film's songs (especially Parineeti's song Maana Ke Hum) is still popular, but theatre audiences were just not interested in checking out this unconventional love story.
It didn't even earn Rs 10 crore.
Bank Chor
Box office collection: Rs 7.32 crore
Much delayed, Bank Chor eventually saw a token release; it was better than what the promotions or marketing suggested.
With a good set of twists and turns, especially in the last 30 minutes, this Riteish Deshmukh starrer deserved a better release and showcasing.
Unfortunately, it's among the lowest grossers till date for Yash Raj Films.
Qaidi Band
Box office collection: Rs 36 lakh
Inarguably, one of the biggest disasters for a newcomer film, especially one backed by a premium production house, Qaidi Band was released without fanfare and disappeared after just a few shows.
Not many even remember the names of the actors in the film, and when it released.
A mega disappointment.
