Made for Rs 118 crore, this 2 hour 29 minute film turned out to be a huge disaster; took 9 years to make, even a superstar couldn’t save it, earned Rs…, film is…
Not every glittering star guarantees a hit, and sometimes even the brightest Bollywood dreams crash spectacularly. In the history of Indian cinema, not every big-budget film hits the mark. Even star-studded projects sometimes fail to impress audiences. One of the most talked-about flops in Bollywood was Ranbir Kapoor’s 2015 release, Bombay Velvet.
Despite being one of the most anticipated films of the year, the movie failed to recover its production cost of Rs 118 crore, earning only Rs 43 crore worldwide. This dismal performance left a black mark on Ranbir Kapoor’s otherwise successful career.
Bombay Velvet: Star cast
Bombay Velvet was a high-octane crime thriller featuring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead alongside Anushka Sharma. The film also featured a surprising choice for the antagonist, renowned filmmaker Karan Johar, who agreed to play the villain for a token fee of just 11 rupees.
The casting, however, didn’t sit well with audiences. Many viewers found Karan Johar’s performance as the villain unconvincing, which contributed to the film’s failure at the box office.
How did the project begin?
The story of Bombay Velvet has an interesting history. Anurag Kashyap, who wrote and directed the film, revealed that the script was initially penned in 2006. At that time, Saif Ali Khan was considered for the lead role. Later, filmmakers approached Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan, but ultimately the film went to Ranbir Kapoor.
Despite the star cast and high expectations, the movie struggled to connect with audiences, both critically and commercially.
Even though Bombay Velvet failed at the box office, it remains a notable film in Bollywood history. Its high budget, unusual casting choices, and ambitious storytelling make it a classic example of how even star power and grand production values cannot guarantee success.
Director Anurag Kashyap openly admitted the film’s failure, calling it “one of the biggest flops in the history of Indian cinema.” For Ranbir Kapoor, it remains a lesson in the unpredictable nature of the film industry.
Highlights:
- Bombay Velvet had a production budget of Rs 118 crore but earned only Rs 43 crore.
- Karan Johar played the villain for a symbolic fee of 11 rupees.
- The script was initially written in 2006 and offered to Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan, and Hrithik Roshan before Ranbir Kapoor took the lead.
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