EXCLUSIVE: Ahmed Khan is confident that Tiger Shroff will “DEFINITELY bounce back” with Baaghi 4; also talks about Baaghi 3’s shortened theatrical run: “If not for Covid, it would have crossed Rs. 240-250 crores; it was like seeing my baby sink”

Tiger Shroff is expected to make a strong comeback with Baaghi 4, which is all set to release in less than two months from now, on September 5. The series has been a success While Baaghi (2016) collected Rs. 76.34 crores, Baaghi 2 (2018) went beyond expectations as it earned Rs. 164.38 crores. It made Tiger a force to reckon with. Baaghi 3 (2020) opened with a bang but sadly, it had a very limited run thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Baaghi 3 director Ahmed Khan opened up on the lockdown that stalled the film’s great run and also paused the whole world, “The trailer had worked but when the film released, we didn’t know that something called Covid-19 was about to wreak havoc in our lives. It was among the last films to release in theatres. Within a week, cinemas began to shut down. I remember I called Sajid Nadiadwala (producer) and he told me that nothing could be done. It was like seeing my baby sink.”

He added, “I remember going to the G7 multiplex (Gaiety-Galaxy) in Bandra. Baaghi 3 was playing in both Gaiety and Galaxy. While Gaiety was 100% full, Galaxy had an occupancy of 85%. Single-screen cinemas were going crazy but at the same time, every hour, the situation was deteriorating. Yet, I wondered how people came to see the film in hordes! In those 6-7 days, we crossed Rs. 95 crores after which the cinemas shut. Otherwise, people were saying that Baaghi 3 could have crossed Rs. 240-250 crores.”

Ahmed Khan directed Baaghi 2 and Baaghi 3. He’s not directing Baaghi 4; how does he feel about it? He replied, “Even the first one was directed by someone else. Then, I made the second and third parts. Now again the fourth part is being made by someone else. Maybe, I’ll direct Baaghi 5! The same happened in the Welcome series – while Anees Bazmee directed the first two parts, I am directing Welcome To The Jungle. The directors changed in Bhool Bhulaiyaa, War, Dhoom and many other franchises. It’s a common trend abroad and it has started here as well. We should accept it wholeheartedly. This is because every director will bring something of his own to the franchise. Some directors feel that they have nothing new to offer. In such a scenario, they should gracefully step aside. They should let somebody else take the reins and bring freshness.”

Tiger Shroff sadly isn’t having a great run but Ahmed Khan is optimistic, “He’ll definitely bounce back. See his look in Baaghi 4. I really loved it. Tiger is very hard-working. He’s now open to doing different things; people will accept him with open arms. He didn’t immediately do too many films differently. He kept himself in that one zone. But now, after so many years, he has shifted gears. Hence, there would be a new Tiger. That’s how actors have a long run. When you don’t change, then it’s over as you won’t have anything new to offer.”

Many felt bad for the actor who had become a mass-favourite and whose professionalism and work ethic have been talked about. Ahmed Khan agreed, “Yes, you do feel bad. He’s a boy who doesn’t give you any reason to complain. He has no air. He’s like ‘mere se jo kaam karana hai, karao; I am ready’. Very rarely do you meet such people who are ready to surrender to you as an actor. He has got his share of success but he deserves much more.”

Also Read: Sajid Nadiadwala celebrates Tiger Shroff’s birthday by sharing his new poster from Baaghi 4; watch

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