Why Did Rajinikanth's 'Lingaa' Fail at the Box Office?

The failure of 'Lingaa', starring the legendary actor Rajinikanth, came as a surprise to many. After the massive flop of 'Kochadaiiyaan', everyone was eagerly anticipating a remarkable comeback from the great superstar. However, 'Lingaa', directed by KS Ravikumar, opened to indifferent reviews and underwhelming box office numbers, particularly in its initial release week. This article delves into the five possible reasons for its disappointing performance.

Rajini Fever Is Over

The phenomenon associated with 'Rajinikanth' has lost some of its luster. Fans are no longer turning up at 4 am to see him. Younger audiences in particular, while still respectful, are less enthused by the prolonged slow-motion hero scenes. Even with 'Rajinikanth' gracing the screen, some centers saw the film opening to empty houses on the release day. The double role Rajinikanth played was perhaps a little too much to handle for his younger audiences. While technology can make a person appear younger, 'Rajinikanth', at 65, cannot escape the physical reality. The active star, while iconic, may have outlived his days as 'hero material'.

Same Kind of Cinema

'Lingaa', much like his previous films, falls into the category of repetitive cinema. The story lacks the freshness and innovation that audiences crave. The film is overly long and does not offer the entertainment value that Rajinikanth’s star power once guaranteed. His films, with their fighting and romance patterns, have made it difficult to maintain audience interest over time. He is synonymous with action and grandeur, but recent films like 'PK', which earned Rs 368 crore, have shown a market shift towards more realistic and relatable cinema. 'Lingaa' was perhaps not innovative enough to satisfy the evolving tastes of his fans.

Lengthy Duration

'Lingaa' is a 2 hours and 55 minutes long, making it noticeably longer than most current films. In this fast-paced entertainment landscape, a lengthy film can easily lose viewers' attention. Post-interval, the film often loses its pace, which can be tedious for the audience. While length does have its merits for detailed storytelling, 'Lingaa' ultimately failed to maintain the audience's interest for the entire runtime, leading to disappointment in the box office.

Over Expectations

'Lingaa' was not just a Rajinikanth starrer but also a project with high expectations from other major players such as A.R. Rahman, Sonekshi Sinha, and the director KS Ravikumar. Despite their contributions, 'Lingaa' fell short of these expectations. The movie lacked the powerful dialogues, solid script, and inspiring music that earlier films had. Instead, it offered a predictable storyline and a rushed release. The heart-wrenching reality of a super star struggling to deliver is evident in 'Lingaa'.

Competition

The clout of 'Rajinikanth' has diminished significantly, and there is growing competition in the Tamil film industry. The arrival of actors like Vikram, Vijay, and Dhanush with new stories and styles of cinema poses a challenge. 'Vikram's film 'I' is already garnering interest for international release while 'Vijay's 'Kaththi' is performing well in Tamil Nadu. Rajinikanth needs to step up his game and either take his scripts seriously or act his age, much like the legendary Amitabh Bachchan has done. The controversy surrounding the film's script and compensation claims further marred its reputation and box office performance.

The overall collections for 'Lingaa' are estimated to be approximately Rs 149 crore worldwide. While 'Rajinikanth' has a historic place in the hearts of fans, films like 'Lingaa' serve as a reminder that the star's power alone is not enough to ensure box office success in today's evolving film landscape. The market is more demanding and requires films that offer new content and unique stories that resonate with the modern audience.

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Watch the full review: Rajini Magic Fails - 5 reasons why Lingaa flopped