Bollywood veteran Jackie Shroff, known for his iconic role as the Babbar Sher in the recent action-thriller Baby John, has finally addressed the disappointing box office performance of the film. In a candid interview with an Indian media outlet, Jackie shared his thoughts on the film’s underwhelming earnings and how the failure has impacted the producers of the movie.
While speaking about the film’s commercial struggles, Jackie emphasized the emotional toll it takes on producers. “The producers do get affected. They invest a lot of money, trusting in these projects. And when the money doesn’t come back, it’s truly sad,” Jackie remarked. “As actors, of course, we hope to be appreciated for our performances, but we also want the movie to do well at the box office.”
Jackie expressed that his disappointment stems more from the impact on the producers rather than his own career. “Dukh hota hai par khud ke liye nahi, producers ke liye,” he said, which translates to, “You do feel bad, but not for yourself, but for the producers.” This sentiment highlights the deep empathy Jackie feels for those who invested heavily in the project. “You try to give your best in your performance, but at the same time, you can’t ignore the people who’ve put in their money,” he added thoughtfully.
Baby John, made with an impressive budget of approximately INR 160-200 crore, was expected to perform well, especially given its grand scale and star power. However, despite the high expectations and a Christmas release, the movie has grossed a disappointing INR 60 crore so far, falling drastically short of its financial goals.
The film, directed by Kalees, is an action-packed thriller that co-stars Varun Dhawan alongside Jackie Shroff, with Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi in pivotal roles. Additionally, the movie has been co-produced by South Indian filmmaker Atlee, adding another layer of anticipation to the project. Despite the disappointing results, Jackie remains optimistic and recognizes the challenges that come with the unpredictable nature of the film industry.