Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan’s latest film, Baby John, has suffered a significant setback at the box office, failing to make an impact despite a star-studded cast and high expectations. Made on a lavish budget of Rs 180 crore, the action-thriller managed to collect less than Rs 50 crore, raising questions about its reception and performance. However, co-actor Rajpal Yadav has come forward to clarify that Dhawan is not disheartened by the film’s poor performance.
Rajpal Yadav, who played the character of constable Ram Sevak in the movie, recently opened up about Baby John’s box office debacle. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Yadav shared his thoughts on why the film did not perform as expected. He attributed the failure to the fact that it was a remake of the Tamil blockbuster Theri, which had already been widely viewed by audiences.
“If this wasn’t a remake, then this would have been the most well-made film of my 25-year career. But since Vijay had done it, the audience had already seen it and because it was a remake, it affected the box office of the film,” Yadav explained.
When asked if Varun Dhawan was feeling low or ‘depressed’ due to the film’s failure, Yadav dismissed the notion. “Varun is such a sweet boy, very hardworking. He has always tried to do something different, and his attempts must be appreciated because it’s a big deal to take risks,” he said.
Released on December 25, 2024, Baby John features Varun Dhawan as DCP Satya Verma, also known as Baby John. The film follows his character’s peaceful life with his daughter Khushi, played by Keerthy Suresh, and his loyal friend Ram Sevak. However, his life takes a tumultuous turn as past secrets resurface, leading to a dangerous clash with antagonist Babar Sher, played by Jackie Shroff.
The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics and fans alike. Many reviewers pointed out the lack of originality and predictable plotline as major drawbacks. News18 Showsha’s review of the film stated, “The film falters in its writing and direction. The plot feels stretched, with a sluggish first half that echoes Akshay Kumar’s Rowdy Rathore. Although the second half gains momentum, it remains predictable, lacking suspense or originality.”
Despite the setback, fans of Varun Dhawan have expressed their support, acknowledging his dedication to exploring different roles and genres. With the actor’s commitment to taking risks, industry insiders believe that Dhawan will bounce back with upcoming projects.
Meanwhile, Rajpal Yadav’s praise for Dhawan has brought some positivity amid the criticism. “Every actor goes through ups and downs, but Varun’s willingness to innovate is what makes him stand out. He will learn from this experience and come back stronger,” Yadav concluded. Baby John also stars Wamiqa Gabbi in a pivotal role, along with a powerful performance from Jackie Shroff as the main antagonist.
