When Ra.One released during Diwali 2011, expectations were huge. Produced by Shah Rukh Khan and starring him, the sci-fi film was one of the most awaited movies of the year. But despite the hype, it failed to impress critics and audiences. The film opened to mixed reviews and struggled at the box office, becoming one of Shah Rukh’s rare and biggest commercial disappointments.
Anubhav Sinha Calls Shah Rukh Khan ‘Middle Class’ Mind
Director Anubhav Sinha recently spoke about the experience in a candid interview with YouTube channel Ulta Chasma UC. He said, “I meet a lot of people who now tell me they like Ra.One, but at that time, the film was declared a flop. There was a lot of pain after it flopped. I made a film with Shah Rukh Khan and it was a flop and people didn’t like it at that time. That film broke me emotionally. It took time for me to recover from that.”
The film had a record-breaking budget and promised amazing visual effects. But the story was weak and relied too much on flashy visuals. Critics did not like the script, and while the music and effects impressed some, the film failed to connect with audiences. Even Shah Rukh’s star power couldn’t save it.
Anubhav also praised Shah Rukh as a person. “I was very fortunate that I was able to meet Shah Rukh Khan. I value him more than a star and an actor. Even if I don’t work with him ever, but I know him as a person, and that is enough for me; you learn a lot from him. He is a very passionate, compassionate person. Despite all the stardom, he has a middle-class mind. You can learn all of these things from him. Of course, I would love to work with him, but I don’t have a story for him now and he also will not have time for me now.”
How Director Bounced Back After Ra.One Failure
After Ra.One, Anubhav bounced back with films like Mulk, Article 15, Thappad, and Bheed. These movies earned critical praise and showed his skill in making films that entertain while sending a strong message.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan continues to shine. He recently won the National Award for Best Actor for Jawan. After his 2023 release Dunki, fans are excited for his next film King, which will star Deepika Padukone and his daughter, Suhana Khan.
