Salman Khan, once the undisputed king of mass entertainers, has seen a steady decline at the box office over the past few years. Since the blockbuster success of Sultan (2016), his filmography has largely failed to deliver consistent hits. Barring Tiger 3, most of his releases—including Tubelight, Race 3, Bharat, Radhe, and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan—have either underperformed or outright flopped. For a star who once guaranteed ₹200–300 crore hits with ease, this phase marks a significant shift in fortunes.
What Went Wrong?
A major factor behind this slump has been the over-reliance on formula-driven storytelling. Salman Khan’s films continued to bank heavily on his star power, often overlooking the need for strong scripts and evolving narratives. While this approach worked for years, audience expectations have clearly changed, especially in the post-pandemic era. Today’s viewers are more content-driven, as seen with the rise of films like RRR, which combined scale with solid storytelling. Salman’s recent projects, on the other hand, have been criticized for weak writing, outdated tropes, and lack of freshness.
A Make-or-Break Comeback Ahead
This is where his upcoming collaboration with Vamshi Paidipally becomes crucial. Backed by producer Dil Raju, the project is being seen as Salman Khan’s best shot at a strong comeback. Known for delivering emotionally engaging commercial films, Vamshi Paidipally could bring the right mix of mass appeal and narrative depth that Salman’s recent films have lacked. If executed well, this film could not only revive Salman Khan’s box office standing but also reposition him for the evolving tastes of modern audiences, making it a defining moment in his career trajectory.
