EXCLUSIVE | Not just one, these are the 5 reasons due to which BB became a FLOP, even Salman Khan could not run it.

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Not Just One, These Are The 5 Reasons Due To Which Bharat (BB) Became a FLOP: Even Salman Khan Could Not Run It

Bharat (BB), a film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and starring Salman Khan in the titular role, had one of the biggest buzzes in Bollywood when it was first announced. With its grand scale, Salman Khan’s star power, and the huge marketing push, the film was expected to break box office records. However, despite a promising start and the immense commercial backing, Bharat underperformed at the box office and failed to live up to its potential, eventually being labeled a flop by many industry experts and audiences alike.

There were many factors that contributed to the film’s disappointing performance. While Salman Khan’s massive fan base and the film’s star-studded cast created initial excitement, several internal and external factors led to the film’s downfall. In this article, we will look at five key reasons why Bharat ended up becoming a flop, despite the seemingly perfect combination of star power and budget.

1. A Weak Script and Unconvincing Storyline

One of the primary reasons why Bharat struggled to connect with audiences was its weak script and inconsistent storyline. While the film’s premise seemed intriguing on paper, with a story spanning several decades and a narrative following the life of a man, Bharat (played by Salman Khan), through key historical moments, the execution failed to live up to expectations.

The film’s plot had several narrative jumps, with Bharat being shown in various stages of life without a strong emotional core connecting the different chapters. The structure of the film felt disjointed, and the character arc of Bharat lacked depth. There were several moments that felt over-the-top and melodramatic, which reduced the emotional impact of the film.

In a movie that spans such a long period of time, the audience expects to see a coherent and engaging narrative that pulls them in emotionally. Unfortunately, Bharat fell short in this regard. The screenplay, written by Ali Abbas Zafar, failed to provide meaningful and consistent character development. As a result, viewers struggled to invest in the protagonist’s journey. Instead of delivering an emotional and historical epic, the film felt like a disjointed and superficial drama that lacked soul.

Additionally, the political and historical context of the film—set against the backdrop of India’s partition and the country’s evolution—was handled poorly. The film could have used its historical setting to provide deeper insights into the socio-political fabric of the time. Instead, it merely grazed over these important events, often in a superficial manner, which made the film feel less authentic and relatable.

2. Overreliance on Salman Khan’s Star Power

Salman Khan is one of the biggest stars in Bollywood, with an enormous fan following that can turn any film into a commercial success. However, Bharat suffered from an overreliance on Salman’s star power without enough substance to back it up. The film essentially revolved around his character, and much of its success was expected to be driven by his presence. While Salman Khan is undoubtedly a talented actor, Bharat placed too much focus on him to the detriment of the film’s other aspects.

The problem with a film that is heavily dependent on one star is that it fails to establish a balanced ensemble. While Salman Khan is the face of Bharat, the supporting cast—comprising talented actors like Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani, Jackie Shroff, and Sunil Grover—did not have significant roles or impactful character arcs. As a result, the film felt like a one-man show, with the other characters feeling like mere props to support Salman’s stardom rather than integral parts of the story.

Additionally, Salman Khan’s portrayal of Bharat lacked the nuance that the character needed. While he brought his signature style to the film, his performance felt repetitive at times, and the film did not offer much scope for his character to evolve beyond the superficial layers. The film tried to present him as a larger-than-life figure, but in doing so, it undermined the emotional depth of the story, making his journey seem too unreal and disconnected from reality.

Salman Khan’s stardom undoubtedly generated a lot of initial excitement, but the overreliance on his popularity failed to translate into sustained success. The lack of a strong, multifaceted narrative and well-developed characters beyond Salman Khan’s role made Bharat feel more like a vehicle for his star persona than a well-rounded film.

3. Unconvincing Characterization and Weak Performances

While Salman Khan has a massive fan following and has proven his acting prowess in many films, Bharat lacked the kind of performances that could elevate the material. The characters in the film felt shallow, and many performances, including that of Salman Khan, did not do justice to the potential of the script.

In particular, the supporting cast, which included seasoned actors like Jackie Shroff, Sunil Grover, and Katrina Kaif, was underutilized. Jackie Shroff’s character, which was positioned to have an important emotional arc, had little screen time and felt underdeveloped. Sunil Grover, known for his impeccable comic timing, had limited scope to showcase his talents and was relegated to a secondary role that did not add much value to the narrative. Even Katrina Kaif, who played the female lead, had little to do in terms of character development, and her role seemed more like a filler.

Katrina’s portrayal of her character, especially in comparison to her previous performances in films like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Ek Tha Tiger, felt one-dimensional. The lack of substance in the writing meant that the talented actress couldn’t bring anything meaningful to her character. Instead of a dynamic female character, she seemed like an accessory to Salman Khan’s character rather than a fully realized individual with her own motives, challenges, and journey.

In contrast to the star-studded cast, it was only Sunil Grover, who played a comedic role, that left a lasting impression. His performance, though limited in scope, was well-received and injected some much-needed humor and warmth into the film. Unfortunately, this did not save Bharat from its other shortcomings.

4. A Confusing Tonal Balance and Over-the-Top Action Sequences

Another critical flaw in Bharat was its inconsistent tonal balance. The film tried to blend different genres—action, drama, romance, and historical epic—all within one narrative, but the result was a jarring tonal shift that left audiences confused. One minute, the film would attempt to be emotionally charged, with themes of patriotism and loss, and the next, it would veer into over-the-top action sequences that felt out of place.

The action sequences, especially those involving Salman Khan’s character, felt exaggerated and unrealistic. These sequences, which seemed to be designed solely for mass appeal, lacked the emotional depth required to make them engaging. While Bharat was intended to be a larger-than-life movie, the forced action scenes detracted from the film’s historical and emotional context. These high-octane moments may have worked in films like Kick (2014) or Dabangg (2010), but in Bharat, they felt unnecessary and out of sync with the story.

The tonal inconsistency also affected the film’s pacing. There were scenes that dragged on unnecessarily, while others felt rushed. Some portions of the film had emotional depth, but they were followed by sequences that were loud and overdramatic, leaving little room for the audience to absorb the emotions of the previous scenes.

Ultimately, the tonal imbalance created a viewing experience that was more exhausting than immersive. This inconsistency in tone made it difficult for audiences to connect with the film, and the forced action-heavy sequences took away from the potential emotional moments.

5. Missed Potential in the Historical Backdrop and Social Commentary

Given that Bharat was set against the backdrop of significant historical events such as India’s partition, independence, and the evolution of the nation, it had the potential to provide deeper social commentary. The historical setting could have been used to explore themes of identity, trauma, and nationalism in a meaningful way. However, the film chose to stay away from any serious political or social commentary, opting for a superficial treatment of historical events instead.

The partition, a defining moment in Indian history, was given only cursory treatment. While the film did touch upon the emotional impact of the event, it did not delve deep enough into the complexities of the trauma that partition caused, both for individuals and the nation as a whole. The film, instead, chose to focus on Bharat’s personal journey, without taking the opportunity to use the historical backdrop to engage in meaningful social commentary.

Moreover, the film failed to portray the socio-political changes of the post-independence era with any depth. There was a missed opportunity to comment on the transformation of India and the challenges faced by individuals in adapting to a newly independent nation. Instead, the narrative of Bharat remained confined to the personal, and the historical moments were used mainly as a backdrop to Salman’s character’s life events, which did not have the required emotional resonance.

Conclusion: A Lesson in Overhyping and Overrelying on Stardom

While Bharat had every potential to be a massive success—given its star-studded cast, historical backdrop, and Salman Khan’s massive following—it faltered in multiple areas. From a weak script and disjointed storyline to overreliance on Salman Khan’s stardom and underdeveloped supporting characters, the film failed to live up to the expectations set by its initial marketing push.

In the end, Bharat serves as a reminder that no matter how big the star or how much money is invested, a film’s success is rooted in its storytelling, direction, and the emotional connection it forms with the audience. A star may bring in the crowds, but it’s the narrative and the performances that keep them engaged.

Despite its initial success at the box office, Bharat couldn’t sustain its momentum, and it eventually became another example of how even the might of Salman Khan cannot always carry a film to success. The film’s failure is a valuable lesson in the importance of script, balance, and the need to deliver more than just star power to the audience.