Is Varun Dhawan Bollywood's unstoppable force, a reliable opener for any film, or is his star power being let down by the very stories he chooses? The recent colossal success of "Border 2," a patriotic war epic, has once again thrust Dhawan into the spotlight, with many hailing him as a "box office opener" and a "mass entertainer" with "audience love and repeat value." Yet, just months prior, another of his ventures, "Baby John," was met with a starkly different reception, described as having a "poor trajectory" at the box office. This stark contrast begs the question: what truly drives Varun Dhawan's commercial success, and is he inadvertently sabotaging his own potential with a shaky script selection?
The narrative surrounding Varun Dhawan is a curious one. On one hand, the trade industry has consistently viewed him as an actor whose "box office bankability" remains "largely intact." This perspective is heavily bolstered by the phenomenal run of "Border 2," which, alongside Sunny Deol, has reportedly amassed over Rs. 295 crore. Reports highlight its "mega opening" and how it has "set the box office on fire."
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However, a closer look at his recent filmography paints a more complex picture. While "Border 2" is a triumph, "Baby John" struggled, earning a mere Rs. 27 crore during its opening weekend. This isn't an isolated incident; the discourse around Dhawan has also included critical examinations like the one suggesting his "star power needs better scripts" to "solidify his standing." This begs the crucial question: how can an actor who checks "every trade box" also be perceived as needing a course correction in script selection?
The Shadow of 'Border 2': A Patriotism Play or Dhawan's Defining Moment?
The success of "Border 2" cannot be overstated. Reports from Bollywood Hungama and The Times of India paint a picture of a film that has not only opened with immense power but has also sustained its momentum.
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The film reportedly collected a staggering Rs. 30 crore on its first day and saw a massive Rs. 59 crore on Republic Day.
Its cumulative collection is highlighted as surpassing Rs. 295 crore, a feat that speaks volumes about its audience connect.
The genre itself – patriotism – is noted as a major draw, with films like "Chhaava" and "Dhurandhar" also exhibiting significant box office pull.
This success has naturally led to discussions about Dhawan's role and his ability to draw audiences. An article from Bollywood Hungama directly states, "Over the past decade, he has built a reputation as a genuine box-office opener." But does this success belong solely to the script and the patriotic fervor, or is Dhawan’s presence the key ingredient?
Interestingly, a recent Reddit discussion, as reported by Indian Express, highlights a subtle tension: "trade analyst Taran Adarsh, without naming him directly, appeared to call out Varun Dhawan for attempting to position Border 2 as his film." This raises an uncomfortable question: In a film that is clearly a continuation of a beloved franchise, where does the credit truly lie, and is Dhawan's promotional strategy potentially overshadowing his co-stars or the original film's legacy? While fans defend his right to promote his project, it points to a perception that his involvement, and perhaps his star power, is being amplified, sometimes controversially.
The 'Baby John' Blunder: A Remake's Repercussions and a Script's Shortcoming
The juxtaposition of "Border 2"'s success with "Baby John"'s struggle is stark. While "Border 2" capitalizes on a nationalistic sentiment, "Baby John" reportedly faltered for reasons that seem more intrinsic to its production and narrative. Pinkvilla reports that "Baby John" saw a "poor trajectory" with a total collection of around Rs. 27 crore over its opening weekend.
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Several factors are cited for this underperformance:
The "remake factor" is explicitly mentioned, suggesting a potential audience fatigue or the availability of the original source material online. The film is a remake of the Tamil hit "Theri."
The report notes that the "audience got exposed to Atlee's brand of commercial cinema with the Shah Rukh Khan starrer [Jawan]," perhaps setting a higher bar for similar films.
A "lack of hit music" is also cited as a contributing factor to its "low show at the ticket window."
This brings us back to the core issue: script selection. An article from Bollywood Hungama from January 2025 explicitly states, "The Box Office conundrum: Why Varun Dhawan’s star power needs better scripts." It further elaborates, "For Varun, the combination of his dedication, versatility, and renewed focus on compelling narratives holds the key to reclaiming his position as a box office powerhouse."
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This implies a disconnect. If Dhawan is so bankable, why do films like "Baby John" miss the mark so significantly? Could it be that his reputation as an "opener" is leading him to accept projects that have immediate commercial appeal but lack the depth or originality required for sustained audience interest beyond the initial hype?
Audience Investment: More Than Just Box Office Numbers?
Varun Dhawan himself has spoken about the audience's deep connection to a film's financial performance. In an interview with Indian Express in September 2022, he stated that the audience is "emotionally linked" to a film's report card, understanding the "profit or loss that’s going to happen." He also highlighted the pressure relief offered by OTT platforms, where "creators can make some risky choices."
This sentiment is insightful. It suggests that Dhawan understands the stakes and the audience's investment. However, the question remains: is he internalizing this understanding when choosing his projects?
Consider the "trade box" analogy from Bollywood Hungama: "Opening power, audience love and repeat value." While "Border 2" clearly has opening power and likely repeat value due to its patriotic theme, one must ask about the "audience love" for Dhawan within that film, beyond his general popularity. Is he showcasing his versatility and ability to carry a narrative, or is he a compelling presence within a formulaic success?
His past work, like "Sui Dhaaga," garnered a "more or less unanimously positive" response to its trailer, with distributors believing it was a "sure shot winner" because people "relate to the character." This suggests a history of connecting with audiences through relatable characters. So, what has changed? Is the industry shifting, or is Dhawan’s script radar faltering?
The Enigma of Repeat Value: Beyond the Opening Day
The concept of "repeat value" is crucial for any star aiming for long-term success. It signifies a film that audiences are willing to watch multiple times, a testament to its enduring quality and entertainment factor. While "Border 2" might achieve this due to its genre and spectacle, the question of Dhawan's individual contribution to this repeat value is paramount.
His reputation, as stated by Bollywood Hungama, is as a "bona fide mass entertainer." This implies a certain kind of performance that appeals to a broad audience. But mass entertainment can also be fleeting. Does Dhawan's current filmography offer films with the depth to be revisited, or is his appeal more about the initial spectacle and star power?
When analyzing his career, the following points emerge:
| Film Category | Notable Examples | Box Office Trajectory | Key Takeaways for Dhawan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass Entertainers/Patriotic | Border 2 | Phenomenal success (Rs. 295+ crore) | Capitalizes on genre, strong opening, broad appeal. |
| Remakes/Commercial | Baby John | Underperformed (Rs. 27 crore opening weekend) | Risk of remake fatigue, comparison to originals, script issues. |
| Character-Driven/Social | Sui Dhaaga (Trailer Positive) | Trailer widely praised for relatability | Potential for strong audience connection with relatable roles. |
The data suggests that while Dhawan can deliver on "opening power," the sustainability of his films, and his personal contribution to their "repeat value," seems intrinsically linked to the quality of the narrative. Could the allure of immediate commercial viability be blinding him to the long-term impact of choosing stories that truly resonate and stand the test of time?
Conclusion: Navigating the Future
Varun Dhawan stands at a fascinating crossroads. The resounding success of "Border 2" solidifies his position as an actor capable of drawing massive crowds, a crucial asset in Bollywood. His "opening power" and "audience love" are undeniable. However, the ghost of "Baby John" and the persistent whispers about needing "better scripts" cannot be ignored.
The critical investigative question remains: Is Varun Dhawan's current trajectory a testament to his inherent box office magnetism, or is it a reflection of strategically chosen projects that ride on popular themes, with the potential for a significant miss when those themes or scripts falter?
Moving forward, Dhawan's career will likely hinge on his ability to navigate this apparent dichotomy. Will he continue to leverage his existing strengths, perhaps relying on the power of genres like patriotism that have proven successful? Or will he embrace the advice and seek out more compelling narratives that allow his dedication and versatility, as highlighted by Bollywood Hungama, to shine beyond the opening weekend? The audience, as Dhawan himself acknowledges, is watching and emotionally invested. The choices he makes now will determine whether he solidifies his legacy as a true powerhouse or remains a star whose potential is perpetually debated against the quality of his scripts.
Sources:
Bollywood Hungama: "Opening power, audience love and repeat value: Why Varun Dhawan checks every trade box"https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/opening-power-audience-love-repeat-value-varun-dhawan-checks-every-trade-box/
Bollywood Hungama: "The Box Office conundrum: Why Varun Dhawan’s star power needs better scripts"https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/box-office-conundrum-varun-dhawans-star-power-needs-better-scripts/
Indian Express: "Varun Dhawan says the audience is ’emotionally linked’ to a film’s report card: ‘The profit or loss that’s going to happen…’"https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/varun-dhawan-says-audience-is-emotionally-linked-to-a-film-report-card-8178875/
The Times of India: "'Border 2' box office collection Day 14: Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan film races past Rs 294 crore amid declining numbers"https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/border-2-box-office-collection-day-14-sunny-deol-and-varun-dhawan-film-races-past-rs-294-crore-amid-declining-numbers/articleshow/127961332.cms
Times Now: "Border 2, Dhurandhar, Chhaava: Patriotism Is Bollywood’s Biggest Box Office Draw"https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/box-office/border-2-dhurandhar-chhaava-patriotism-is-bollywood-biggest-box-office-draw-article-153508206
Koimoi: "Sui Dhaaga Trailer Trade & Audience Review: Here’s How The People Have Received This Varun Dhawan – Anushka Sharma Film!"https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/sui-dhaaga-trailer-trade-audience-review-heres-how-the-people-have-received-this-varun-dhawan-anushka-sharma-film/
Pinkvilla: "Baby John Extended Opening Weekend Box Office: Varun Dhawan starrer sees poor trajectory"https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/baby-john-extended-opening-weekend-box-office-varun-dhawan-starrer-sees-poor-trajectory-collects-rs-27-crore-1364797
Indian Express: "‘Some actors only start promoting themselves’: Reddit believes trade analyst took indirect dig at Varun Dhawan for positioning Border 2 as his film, fans defend him"https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/some-actors-only-start-promoting-themselves-reddit-believes-trade-analyst-took-indirect-dig-at-varun-dhawan-for-positioning-border-2-as-his-film-fans-defend-him-10476929/
The Times of India: "'Border 2' box office collection day 13: The Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan film sees drop on Wednesday, touches Rs 290 crore"https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/border-2-box-office-collection-day-13-live-the-sunny-deol-varun-dhawan-film-begins-to-decline-inches-towards-rs-290-crore/articleshow/127904324.cms
