Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan returned to the big screen in a lead role with Pathaan on January 25, 2023 after four years and has demolished the box office with the collections. The film has crossed Rs. 591 crore collections worldwide. The film stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham alongside Ashutosh Rana and Dimple Kapadia. Alia Bhatt, who starred in two of the hits last year, heaped praise for the film.
Bollywood has faced difficulty in the past year to get audiences back to the theatres. Very few films have worked well amongst which were Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi and Brahmastra. Her Netflix movie Darlings was also highly acclaimed. Speaking to Indian Express, Alia said, “A film like Pathaan is not just a blockbuster but the biggest blockbuster of Indian cinema. These are moments when you are just grateful and pray that yeh hota jaye and hota rahe.”
Varun Dhawan said, “Not just grateful, it is also inspirational for all of us.”
Talking about the boycott calls being made for every other Bollywood movie, Alia added, “I don’t think we have so much aggression in us. We are just grateful to be working, and living our dreams on a daily basis. We also believe we belong to our audience and they can say whatever as long as we are entertaining them. They can say anything they want but we will continue to do well.”
Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan were in attendance at the launch of the Zee Cine Awards 2023 on Tuesday. When asked Varun if he had something to say around the negativity towards Bollywood, he added, “Main kuch bolna nahi chahta (I don’t want to say anything). Films acchi chal rahi hai, why should we discuss it. The collection is speaking of the reach of Indian cinema, Hindi cinema. Some of the biggest stars like Shah Rukh sir, Salman bhai, Deepika and John, all of them coming together. What else do they want?” he replied.
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt will next star in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani and Heart Of Stone. Varun Dhawan has Bawaal and Citadel India.
On the other hand, Shah Rukh Khan will now resume the shoot for Atlee Kumar’s Jawan on February 1, 2023.
