Sidharth Malhotra’s box office journey: a career of highs and lows

When Sidharth Malhotra made his Bollywood debut in 2012 with Student of the Year, he instantly became one of the most talked-about newcomers in the industry. With his striking looks, youthful charm, and the backing of Karan Johar the Delhi boy seemed poised to be one of the next big stars. Over the years, his filmography has reflected both promise and pitfalls with a mix of solid openings, respectable lifetime runs, and, unfortunately, several underwhelming performances at the ticket counters. A closer look at his India box office numbers reveals an actor still searching for sustained commercial consistency.Released in October 2012, Student of the Year collected Rs 70 crore at the Indian box office. For a launch vehicle featuring three fresh faces Sidharth, Varun Dhawan, and Alia Bhatt the film’s numbers were impressive. While critics were divided, the film was embraced by the youth, establishing Sidharth as a bankable face to watch out for. It was a strong launchpad that promised greater commercial opportunities ahead.Sidharth’s sophomore outing, Hasee Toh Phasee (2014), opposite Parineeti Chopra, was a moderately performing rom-com that collected Rs 37.40 crore in its lifetime. The film garnered positive word of mouth and helped Sidharth show his versatility beyond glamorous roles. TThen came Ek Villain (2014), a crucial milestone. Directed by Mohit Suri, the revenge-romantic thriller was a game-changer. With Rs 105.62 crore at the Indian box office, the film remains his biggest commercial success to date. Ek Villain turned Sidharth into a star capable of delivering a Rs 100 crore grosser, and it gave him the reputation of being a heartthrob with both intensity and vulnerability.Despite the momentum of Ek Villain, Sidharth’s subsequent films struggled to replicate that magic. Brothers (2015), an action-drama co-starring Akshay Kumar, was expected to be a blockbuster. It opened big, but with Rs 82.47 crore lifetime, it fell short of expectations and was declared a “Flop.” Even though the film showcased Sidharth in a physically demanding role, the underwhelming verdict dimmed the glow of his earlier success.In 2016, Kapoor & Sons proved a refreshing change. A family drama featuring an ensemble cast of Fawad Khan, Alia Bhatt, Rishi Kapoor, and Sidharth, it collected Rs 73.29 crore.The film not only performed well at the box office but also earned critical acclaim. For Sidharth, it reaffirmed his ability to shine in ensemble settings.However, Baar Baar Dekho (2016), a much-hyped romantic drama opposite Katrina Kaif, disappointed with Rs 31.24 crore. Despite chart-topping music, the film couldn’t connect with audiences. The following year brought more struggles as A Gentleman (Rs 20.59 crore) failed to connect with the masses , while thriller Ittefaq (Rs 30.21 crore) made on tight budget gave the actor some respite.The years that followed were particularly harsh on Sidharth’s box office graph. Aiyaary (2018), a military drama by Neeraj Pandey, managed just Rs 18.22 crore and was a resounding flop. Jabariya Jodi (2019), marketed as a quirky small-town entertainer, fared even worse at Rs 16.33 crore. By this point, Sidharth was gaining a reputation for inconsistency, with back-to-back underperformers denting his bankability.While Marjaavaan (2019) performed slightly better with Rs 47.78 crore and was declared “Average,” it still wasn’t enough to pull him out of the slump. The reliance on old formulas and dated storytelling limited his growth, leaving him without a solid follow-up to Ek Villain or Kapoor & Sons.The 2020s were expected to be a fresh phase for Sidharth and he performed with Shershaah where he played the real life martyr Captain Vikram Batra , who lost his life during the Kargil War. Unfortunately the film didn’t have a theatrical release because of Covid-19 but the film is one of the biggest hits of Sidharth’s career.His next big release was Indra Kumar’s Thank God (2022), despite a festive Diwali release, only managed Rs 34.89 crore. Its comedy-fantasy theme didn’t resonate, leading to another flop verdict.In 2024, Yodha, designed as a high-octane action thriller, collected Rs 32.45 crore. For a film marketed as his big solo action comeback, the collections were underwhelming. While Sidharth’s efforts were appreciated, the weak script and competition meant it could not sustain at the box office.One recurring theme in Sidharth’s career is his script selection. While his talent and screen presence are undeniable, the films often fail to rise to the expectations placed on him. The mismatch between his potential and the quality of stories has arguably been his biggest career hurdle.On the brighter side, his choices have not been entirely risk-averse. From experimenting with a dual role in A Gentleman to playing a negative character in Ittefaq, Sidharth has shown willingness to diversify. However, without strong scripts, even these efforts have not translated into commercial gold. He even tried his hands with OYY when he teamed up with Rohit Shetty for Indian Police Force but the show didn’t go anywhere. Sidharth is now refocusing with romantic genre as his Param Sundari hits the silver screen with Janhvi Kapoor. He also collaborated with Ektaa Kapoor for Vvan- Force of the Forest, a horror thriller with Tamannaah Bhatia .(Box Office Collection: Bollywood Hungama ) See More: Param Sundari Movie Review and Release Live Updates: Netizens call this Janhvi Kapoor's career best so far