Adipurush, the much-anticipated epic adventure film directed by Om Raut, based on the Ramayana, opened to massive numbers at the box office worldwide. However, after a record-breaking opening weekend, the film experienced a significant decline in its performance. Despite surpassing ₹250 crore in India, Adipurush is now witnessing a free fall at the box office, raising questions about the reasons behind its downward spiral. In this article, we will analyze the possible factors contributing to the film’s underwhelming reception and subsequent decline.
Here are the 5 Reasons Why Adipurush Crashed at Box Office
Dialogues
One of the major criticisms surrounding Adipurush was the quality of its dialogues. The initial reactions from viewers highlighted the cringe-worthy nature of the lines written by lyricist Manoj Muntashir, which included phrases like ‘tere bua ke bageeche se’ and ‘uski Lanka laga denge.’ The controversial dialogues, especially those involving the character Bajrang, faced severe backlash from the audience. In response to the criticism, the makers and Manoj Muntashir decided to revise the language in the contentious dialogues, acknowledging public sentiment.
VFX
Adipurush faced early criticism for its subpar visual effects when the teaser was released last year. Despite the director’s decision to postpone the release and upgrade the VFX, the final result did not meet expectations. The film continues to receive flak for its cartoonish visual effects, especially when compared to other recent releases like Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra, which showcased more advanced special effects.
Miscasting of Prabhas
Some viewers and critics expressed dissatisfaction with the casting of Prabhas as Raghav (based on Ram) in Adipurush. While Prabhas gained popularity through his role in the Baahubali franchise, which was set in a southern Indian context, the portrayal of a character from the Ramayana required a different mix of simplicity and reverence. Some critics argued that Prabhas did not embody the essence of Raghav, as portrayed by previous actors such as Arun Govil in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan. Additionally, objections were raised against the depiction of Ram with a mustache, as it deviated from the traditional representation of Vishnu’s avatars.
Nepal Ban
The film faced a ban in Kathmandu, Nepal, due to objections over the dialogue “Janaki is a daughter of India.” As Sita was believed to have been born in Janakpur, Nepal, the dialogue was considered disrespectful to the cultural beliefs of the majority Hindu population in Nepal. The ban added to the challenges faced by Adipurush, limiting its potential reach and revenue.
Setting up Expectations
A significant factor contributing to the film’s decline is the discrepancy between the marketing campaign and the actual product. The makers of Adipurush generated high expectations by positioning the film as a definitive retelling of the epic Ramayana. However, once negative feedback emerged, they distanced themselves from the project, claiming it to be a mere interpretation. This sudden change in narrative and subsequent alteration of dialogues further eroded audience trust and contributed to the film’s downfall.
The downfall of Adipurush at the box office can be attributed to various factors, including the quality of dialogues, substandard VFX, perceived miscasting, controversies, and the mismatch between marketing expectations and the final product. While the film initially attracted attention and registered impressive box office numbers, negative word-of-mouth and public dissatisfaction played a significant role in its subsequent decline. As a case study, Adipurush highlights the importance of effectively managing audience expectations and delivering a consistent and high-quality cinematic experience to sustain success in the film industry.