Salman Khan's Career Low Points: Box Office Disasters & Abandoned Projects

Luna Greco

5 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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Box Office Flops that Shocked Fans

While Salman Khan has consistently delivered box office hits throughout his career, some films have significantly underperformed, surprising both critics and fans. Let's examine some of these notable Salman Khan career low points.

Tubelight (2017): A Misfire Despite High Expectations

Tubelight, released in 2017, is a prime example of a Salman Khan film that failed to meet expectations despite significant pre-release hype. The film, a family drama with elements of fantasy, generated considerable buzz leading up to its release, fueled by Salman Khan's star power and the anticipation surrounding Kabir Khan's direction. However, Tubelight ultimately proved to be a major box office disappointment.

• Weak storyline and mismatched genre: Critics pointed to a weak storyline that failed to engage audiences, and a genre blend that didn't quite work. The film's attempt to balance emotional drama with lighthearted moments fell flat, confusing viewers and leaving them unsatisfied.
• Marketing Miscalculations: While initial marketing created high expectations, some argue that the promotional campaign might not have accurately reflected the film's tone and content, leading to a disconnect between audience expectations and the final product.
• Impact on Salman's career: While not a career-ending blow, Tubelight's underperformance marked a rare significant box office failure for Salman Khan after a string of successes, reminding everyone that even the biggest stars can experience setbacks.

Race 3 (2018): A Critical and Commercial Setback

Race 3, another action-thriller starring Salman Khan, suffered a similar fate. While it benefited from the star power of its cast, the film faced widespread criticism for its weak plot, unconvincing performances, and an overall lack of depth. The action sequences, a key element of the Race franchise, were deemed underwhelming, further contributing to the film's poor reception.

• Over-reliance on star power: Race 3 highlighted the limitations of relying solely on star power without a strong script and compelling narrative. Salman Khan's presence wasn't enough to save a film lacking in substance.
• Negative critical response: The overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics further dampened the film's box office prospects, leading to a significant drop in audience interest.
• Impact: Race 3 serves as a stark reminder that even with a proven formula and established actors, a poorly crafted script can lead to a significant commercial and critical failure, adding to the list of Salman Khan career low points.

Other Notable Box Office Disappointments

While Tubelight and Race 3 stand out as significant box office disappointments, other films in Salman Khan's filmography have also underperformed compared to expectations. These include:

• Main Aur Mrs Khanna: While not a complete failure, this film did not reach the box office heights anticipated given Salman Khan's star power at the time.
• Judwaa 2: Though commercially successful, its performance was relatively lower compared to expectations set by the original Judwaa and Salman's other films of the same period.

These films, while commercially successful to some extent, represent relative disappointments compared to the actor's usual box office dominance, offering further insights into the complexities of his career and the factors contributing to his fluctuating success.

Abandoned Projects and Unfulfilled Potential

Beyond box office failures, several projects involving Salman Khan have been abandoned or significantly delayed, representing further Salman Khan career low points in terms of unrealized potential.

Projects Shelved Due to Creative Differences or Production Issues

Several projects featuring Salman Khan have been announced but never materialized due to various reasons. These include creative differences between the actor, director, or producers, and production issues ranging from budget constraints to casting conflicts. While the specific details often remain undisclosed, these abandoned projects represent a loss of potential cinematic opportunities and add another layer to understanding the fluctuations in Salman Khan's career journey.

• Unspecified Projects: Unfortunately, due to the confidential nature of many film deals, specific titles and reasons behind cancellations are often not publicly revealed. However, the sheer number of unfulfilled projects hints at the challenges involved in bringing a film from conception to completion.

Delayed Productions and Their Consequences

Several of Salman Khan's films have faced significant delays due to various reasons, impacting their eventual success. Delays can lead to changes in market conditions, shifts in audience preferences, or loss of initial momentum and hype. These delays add to the complexity of evaluating the full scope of Salman Khan's career trajectory and potential achievements.

• Impact of Delays: Even if a delayed project is eventually released, the delay can significantly affect its reception and commercial performance. A film that might have been a major hit upon its initial planned release date could underperform if released much later.

Conclusion

This article has explored some of the notable Salman Khan career low points in Salman Khan's illustrious career, examining both box office flops like Tubelight and Race 3, and projects that were abandoned or significantly delayed. While these setbacks highlight the inherent risks in the film industry, they also underscore the resilience and enduring appeal of Salman Khan, who has consistently bounced back from adversity. His continued success despite these setbacks is a testament to his adaptability and enduring popularity.

Want to discuss more about Salman Khan's career, including his triumphs and failures? Share your thoughts on the biggest Salman Khan career low points in the comments below! Let's discuss which films you believe represent his biggest challenges and how he overcame them.