The failure of War 2 at the ticket counters has placed Hrithik Roshan in a difficult spot, marking his third setback in a row after Vikram Vedha and Fighter.
Each of these films has performed worse than the last, leading to intense discussion in trade circles about the value attached to the actor’s current remuneration.
Reports suggest that Roshan charges close to Rs 90 crore per project, a figure that many feel no longer aligns with his recent track record.
The industry’s concern has grown louder with the remarkable performance of Saiyaara, a small film with no star driven appeal, which has crossed Rs 300 crore and is still attracting audiences.
The contrast between a modestly mounted success and the repeated underperformance of large scale star vehicles has brought the question of inflated star salaries into sharper focus.
Exhibitors have also begun responding to audience preference.
From this week, screenings of War 2 are being cut back across several territories, with Saiyaara occupying more showtimes nationwide to match the growing demand.
