When Aamir Khan first read the script for Thugs of Hindostan, he genuinely believed he was signing up for a modern-day Sholay. Intrigued by the chance to play a highly unusual, slippery character who could never be trusted, he jumped at the film despite knowing it was a massive creative gamble. Unfortunately, that gamble didn’t pay off. Upon its release, the high-budget pirate adventure “bounced very badly” at the box office, facing a harsh wave of critical backlash and audience disappointment.
Looking back, the Bollywood superstar took full responsibility for the movie’s failure, acknowledging that they simply missed the mark. While the initial concept had the sweeping, epic energy of a classic blockbuster, the final execution fell flat. Aamir later shared that the experience was a humbling reminder of how unpredictable filmmaking can be, proving that even a formula inspired by India’s greatest cinematic masterpieces can sometimes completely sink.
