On Friday, both Baaghi 4 and The Conjuring: Last Rites were released in theatres in India. The Hollywood film outperformed the Bollywood release. This difference has caught the attention of filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, who took to his X account on Saturday to express his disappointment. (Also read: Baaghi 4 worldwide box office collection day 1: Tiger Shroff film opens at just ₹17 crore, far less than Baaghi 3)

What Sanjay said

In a post on X, Sanjay said, “Me in my 20’s/30’s could never imagine an English film outperforming a Hindi film. Today’s reality – An English horror film does double the business of a main stream Hindi action film. What changed???”

In a separate post, he had said, “Such a steady flow of action films from the west. Almost feels like it is synchronised. And some of our best action stars are sitting at home clutching unrealistic numbers. Audience, makers, stars – Everyone loses in this scenario.”

‘Why even make films?’

Sanjay also noted the one ticket free per purchase scheme for big releases in India. The same scheme was used by the makers of Baaghi 4, as the film was promoted with a “Buy One Get One Free” or 50% off offer on opening day tickets, available on ticketing platforms. Sanjay noted, “Big Budget. Big Producer. Big Star. First Friday. One Plus One Free. What times are we living in? Why even make films?”

Baaghi 4, starring Tiger Shroff in the lead, collected ₹ 12 crore on its opening day of release. Baaghi 4 is directed by A Harsha and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment.

Meanwhile, The Conjuring Last Rites, the final film in the iconic horror franchise, collected ₹ 17.5 crore on its first day of release. It stars Patrik Wilson and Vera Farmiga in lead roles.