Bollywood’s Biggest Disaster: Govinda’s 2019 Movie... Made for Rs 19 Crore Earned Only Rs 20 Lakh, Ending the Career of a Superstar

For the past five years, Bollywood star Govinda has stayed away from the silver screen. The actor, who once dominated the industry with consecutive blockbuster hits in the 1990s, saw his career come to a halt after the 2019 release of Rangeela Raja. The film, which was expected to revive his career, turned out to be a disaster at the box office, marking the end of his acting journey.

Rangeela Raja Fails to Make a Mark

Rangeela Raja was not just another film for Govinda. The 2019 movie, directed by Sikandar Bharti and produced by Pahlaj Nihalani, featured Govinda in dual roles. Despite high hopes, the film was a box office failure, earning only Rs 20 lakh against its Rs 19 crore budget. Govinda’s performance as both Raja Vijendra Pratap Singh, a womanizing business tycoon, and Yogi Ajay Pratap Singh, failed to resonate with audiences.

Rangeela Raja vs. Netrikan: A Failed Remake

The film was a remake of the 1981 Tamil movie Netrikan, which starred Rajinikanth. While the original was well-received at the time of its release, Rangeela Raja was criticized for its outdated storyline. The film's portrayal of a middle-aged womanizer was labeled as almost sexist, and it struggled to connect with modern audiences. Critics noted that the film's attempt to capitalize on an old tale felt irrelevant in today’s Bollywood landscape.

Box Office Numbers Paint a Grim Picture

The numbers from Rangeela Raja’s release were shocking. Made with a Rs 19 crore budget, the movie grossed only Rs 5 lakh on its opening day and finished with lifetime collections of just Rs 20 lakh. The film’s failure at the box office was a crushing blow for Govinda, who has not appeared in a film since its release.

Delays and Censorship Issues

Rangeela Raja was originally scheduled to release alongside Thugs of Hindostan, starring Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. However, the movie faced delays due to censorship issues, which only added to its downfall. By the time it finally hit theatres, the film had lost momentum, and audiences were less inclined to watch it.