Jackky Bhagnani on Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’s Failure: “We Mortgaged Our Properties to Make This Film”
In a candid revelation, producer Jackky Bhagnani has opened up about the financial and emotional challenges faced during the making of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Despite high expectations and a star-studded cast, the film turned out to be one of the biggest flops of 2024.
A Dream Project Turned Financial Nightmare
Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan featured leading actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff in pivotal roles. The film also starred Prithviraj Sukumaran, Alaya F, and Manushi Chhillar. With a massive budget of ₹350 crore, it was anticipated to be a blockbuster. However, the movie struggled to attract audiences beyond its opening day, eventually grossing only ₹111.49 crore at the box office.
Personal Sacrifices and Emotional Toll
In an interview with SCREEN, Jackky Bhagnani shared the extent of personal sacrifices made to fund the film. He revealed, “As a family, we have mortgaged our properties to make this film.” He acknowledged that the content did not resonate with the audience, stating, “We invested a lot of money and I realised that just scale is not good enough. Somewhere, we felt that the content that was made didn’t resonate with the audience at all. The public is always right.”
Controversies and Financial Strain
Post-release, the film faced several controversies, including allegations from crew members about delayed payments. Reports also suggested that Pooja Entertainment sold its seven-floor Mumbai office to clear debts amounting to ₹250 crore. However, Jackky Bhagnani’s father, Vashu Bhagnani, denied these claims, stating that the building was being redeveloped and that they continued to work with the same team for many years.
Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
Jackky Bhagnani emphasized the importance of understanding audience preferences and creating content that resonates. He mentioned, “I have to go back to the drawing board and understand why this piece of content didn’t resonate with the audience. I have to take that with a pinch of salt and not make that mistake in the future.” He also highlighted the need for financial prudence in filmmaking, urging others to be conscious of each other’s investments.
Conclusion
The journey of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of the film industry. Despite the best efforts and significant investments, success is never guaranteed. Jackky Bhagnani’s transparency about the challenges faced offers valuable insights for aspiring filmmakers and producers.
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