Baby John Fails to Deliver: A Misstep for Varun Dhawan’s Mass Action Aspirations

Varun Dhawan’s ambitious mass entertainer, Baby John, aimed to establish him as a leading star in Bollywood’s action genre. However, the film has failed to meet expectations critically and commercially, leaving fans and analysts questioning its shortcomings.

The movie, directed by Kalees, is an adaptation of Atlee’s blockbuster Theri. While Baby John attempted to blend originality with homage, the result was uneven. Some scenes mirrored Theri closely, while others strayed into poorly executed attempts at novelty. Unfortunately, this inconsistency worked against the film’s favor.

Despite a hefty ₹160 crore budget, the marketing campaign for Baby John was subdued, generating limited pre-release buzz. Its opening day collections of ₹12 crore were underwhelming for a mass entertainer. Negative reviews and poor word-of-mouth further contributed to its decline. After eight days, the film has earned just ₹35 crore in India and ₹47 crore globally. With show counts reduced from 4,300 to 1,800 nationwide, its trajectory points to a potential lifetime collection of less than ₹60 crore, resulting in estimated losses of ₹100 crore.

What Went Wrong with Baby John?

1. Casting Misfit: Varun Dhawan’s charisma as a likable or comedic lead failed to translate into the gravitas needed for a mass action role.
2. Stale Execution: Kalees’ direction lacked the finesse of Atlee’s signature style, making the plot feel outdated and uninspired.
3. Misjudged Cameo: Salman Khan’s cameo, intended to elevate the film, drew criticism for its lack of impact.
4. Audience Expectations: Films like Jawan, Pathaan, and Gadar 2 demonstrated the audience’s appetite for massy cinema, but only when executed with precision.

The failure of Baby John serves as a stark reminder that even the most dependable formulas require careful execution. With its disappointing performance, Bollywood may take note that a solid foundation must accompany star power and scale. For Varun Dhawan, the film highlights the need for a reevaluation of roles and genres better suited to his strengths.