Akshay Kumar, one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars, is finally witnessing the sweet taste of box office success with his latest film, Sky Force. The action-packed patriotic drama has stormed into theaters, raking in an impressive Rs 61.75 crore in just three days of. This achievement not only highlights the film’s popularity, but also signals a much-needed comeback for Akshay, who has faced a string of box office setbacks over the past two years. Talking about the box office numbers of Sky Force, trade expert Taran Adarsh says , “ Akshay has proven himself again and again as an actor also. In recent times, his terrific performance went completely unnoticed in a film called Sarfira because the film did not work, he was excellent in Mission Raniganj as well. But what happens when the film fails, everything goes down. Then everything is stamped as a flop and performance takes a hit. Sky Force is a beautiful film, very emotional and thankfully no jingoism or nothing like that. And the best part is the emotional undercurrent throughout.And besides the tale of bravery, there is also a strong emotional story running parallelly. And I think that and with performances and everything, everything has fallen into place.”
” Akshay must be feeling on top of the world. Of course, in his career spanning almost four decades, he has seen ups and downs.But what happens is that when you reach that peak and you suddenly fall, you feel that, where did I go wrong? I’m doing the right thing. I’m doing different kinds of cinema also.I’m not repeating myself. And then you get that hit. And then you feel, yes, you are on the right track.Hits and flops are always part of the film. I mean, even Shah Rukh Khan delivered a string of flops and so had Aamir Khan and Salman Khan. This is what I like about the 90s actors, that they have got a following. Over the years, they’ve built a house within the heart of their fans and after that it is all about getting the content right” he added .
A Rocky Road: The Box Office Drought
Known for his versatility and prolific output, Akshay Kumar has delivered numerous hits over the years, cementing his position as one of the most dependable stars in the Hindi film industry. However, the last two years have been a testing time for the actor. Following the massive success of Sooryavanshi in 2021, which collected Rs 195 crore, Akshay struggled to replicate his winning streak.
Between 2021 and 2023, several of his films failed to leave a mark at the box office:
- Atrangi Re (2021): Though Akshay only had a cameo in the film, he was very much the pull on which audiences were drawn to the theaters. The film received mixed reviews for its topic and Aanand L Rai’s direction, though Akshay, Sara Ali Khan and Dhanush’s performances were appreciated.
- Bachchhan Paandey (2022): Despite high expectations, this masala entertainer struggled to recover its budget and was considered a flop.
- Samrat Prithviraj (2022): Akshay’s ambitious period drama, backed by Yash Raj Films, fell flat due to its underwhelming storytelling and failed to resonate with audiences.
- Raksha Bandhan (2022): The family drama released on the same day as Laal Singh Chaddha and both films failed to draw in audiences.
- Ram Setu (2022): The much-hyped adventure drama opened decently but couldn’t sustain momentum and was ultimately declared a disappointment.
- Selfiee (2023): A remake of the Malayalam film Driving Licence, this lighthearted comedy-drama failed to connect with viewers, earning minimal returns.
- Mission Raniganj (2023): Inspired by a real-life mining rescue operation, the film’s lack of buzz and tepid reception meant it couldn’t make an impact.
- Khel Khel Mein ( 2004) was released along side Stree 2 and Vedaa and it was Stree 2 that took away all the moolah and audience appreciation. Between the three, KKM was the second highest grosser but Stree 2 was ahead by miles.
- Sarfira (2024): Sarfira was the Hindi remake of Soorarai Pottru based on the life of Captain Gopinath – the man behind the low cost airline Air Deccan. Unlike the original- the remake hardly got any promotion and tanked without any trace.
- Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024): A reboot of the 1998 classic, this film carried a lot of expectation as Ali Abbas Zaffar was at the helm after the success of films like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai. The film also catered to the fans of action films, which has been the flavour of the industry, but the film had no buzz but due to releasing on Eid, it managed some traction for first few days and then tanked.
This string of failures raised questions about Akshay’s choice of scripts, and whether the audience preferences had shifted. Fans and industry experts wondered if the star, who had once churned out consecutive hits like Pad Man, Mission Mangal, Housefull 4, Good Newwz, and Sooryavanshi had lost his Midas touch.
The Rise of ‘Sky Force’
Against this backdrop, Sky Force emerged as a beacon of hope. Directed by Abhishek Anil Kapoor and Sandeep Kewlani, the film is based on a real like story. A patriotic aviation drama that also doubles up as an investigative drama taps into themes of heroism and national pride—genres Akshay excels in. With a gripping narrative, and Akshay’s signature charm, the movie struck a chord with audiences across the country.
The film’s strong opening weekend collection demonstrates its widespread appeal. The positive word of mouth and packed theaters suggest it is poised for a strong run in the coming weeks, making it Akshay’s first significant box office hit since Sooryavanshi.
What’s Next for Akshay Kumar?
With Sky Force putting him back in the spotlight, Akshay Kumar seems to be regaining his momentum. However, the journey ahead will be crucial as he works hard to maintain this success. Here’s a look at some of his upcoming projects:
- Housefull 5: The fifth installment in the popular comedy franchise is expected to draw audiences with its signature humor and ensemble cast.
- Jolly LLB 3: Akshay returns as the witty lawyer, a role that won him critical acclaim and box office success in the past.
- Bhoot Bangla: He teams up with Priyadarshan once again after hits like Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, De Dhana Dhan etc
- Welcome to the Jungle: He returns to the Welcome franchise for the third installment with Paresh Rawal and
Suniel Shetty - The Untold Story of C Sankaran Nair: He teams up with
Karan Johar ’s production house once again for a story based on real events.
Over the course of his three-decade-long career, Akshay Kumar has remained one of Bollywood’s most versatile and hardworking stars. From his early action-hero days to his foray into comedy, drama, and socially relevant films, Akshay has continually reinvented himself. Despite the challenges of the past two years, his ability to bounce back with Sky Force reaffirms his resilience and star power.
