So many times, the year 2024 has been a mix of excitement and great promises for moviegoers; however, some much-talked-about films have failed to meet those expectations.
This includes Singham Again, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Kalki as those really expected to be a great bet with their star-studded casts and established franchises that were supposed to bring those thrilling stories and content; however, they ended by leaving the audience underwhelmed.
In this article, we’ll explore why these films are considered some of the worst of 2024, focusing on their weak storylines, poor screenplays, lack of character depth, and how they struggled to balance audience expectations with their actual content.
1. Singham Again: A Failed Franchise Revival
The Singham franchise, with high octane action, well-knit characters, and interesting plot, has been one of the most loved ones for a long time in the history of Bollywood.
The return of the much-loved DCP Bajirao Singham, played by Ajay Devgn, in Singham Again had generated a lot of curiosity among the movie buffs, but the film could not be up to the expectations created by its predecessors as it had very little to present that was fresh and exciting.
One of the reasons Singham Again is thought of as a disappointment is the poor storyline. The movie took the story in some not-so-meaningful direction and recycled old ideas and clichés, thus making it predictable and un-inspired.
The plot had none of the intensity or drama that the previous Singham films had, and the characters seemed more caricatured than real, three-dimensional people.
Moreover, the screenplay was filled with unnecessary melodrama and action sequences that added little to the story. While fans of the franchise might have expected an adrenaline-pumping experience, the film failed to deliver engaging content.
There were many moments where the film seemed to rely solely on Ajay Devgn’s star power rather than developing a compelling narrative or meaningful character arcs. The character of Singham was once so full of power and justice but now sounded hollow and flat, serving as merely a vehicle for action scenes rather than an actual good protagonist.
2. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: Disappointing Sequel
Considering it’s the sequel to such a successful film, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 had a lot to match.
The 2007 movie, Bhool Bhulaiyaa was indeed a hit due to a unique mix of all sorts of horror, comedy, and drama with remarkable performances and an engaging story plot. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 was expected to come on the same lines; it failed in almost all those aspects.
The weakest aspect of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is the weak storyline. This film did not manage to evoke the mystery and intrigue in it that had been prevalent in the earlier ones.
It was predictable and made no use of the suspense and tension that had made the earlier films enjoyable. It was to be a thrilling and mysterious narrative, but it instead felt forced, with unnatural and unearned plot twists.
The screenplay of the film was another major disappointment. The dialogue and situations were often cringe-worthy, and the humor didn’t land as well as it did in the previous films. It seemed like the script was trying too hard to capture the magic of the predecessors and failed to deliver.
The development of characters is minimal, and most side characters were poorly written as well. Their actions and motivations did not seem that deep. The film also relied way too much on the stardom of Kartik Aaryan, the lead actor, without providing much to work with in the form of dialogue or meaningful scenes for him.
The film left all those franchise fans disappointed who had high expectations from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, hoping for the same excitement and charm that was in the previous parts of the film.
3. Kalki: A Premise That Never Took Off
Kalki is one of the more interesting films from 2024; its premise had the potential to be thought-provoking as well as engaging. With a focus on the story of a woman with superpowers, the film was going to explore interesting themes of empowerment and human resilience. The film, however, could not stand to the coherence of the narration and character development.
The biggest problem with Kalki was its narrative approach. The film kept constantly jumping from one plot development to another without providing genuine emotional depth or insight into what the protagonist is all about.
The pacing was clumsy, making it impossible to connect with the characters or give a damn about their trajectory. The film’s philosophical thoughts on morality and power only seemed shallow and not taken at all seriously. The movie also lacked the emotional weight in order to make the themes resonant, leaving viewers to feel unsatisfied.
It was also very unfortunate when it came to the characterization of Kalki because the lead character did not seem to grow and become more developed throughout the whole story. Her motivations were unclear, and her actions seemed disconnected from the narrative at times.
It was difficult for the audience to sympathize with her or care about her journey due to the lack of depth. The supporting characters were also underdeveloped, with many of them serving only as plot devices rather than fully realized individuals.
It is unfortunate that with a star-studded cast and a rather interesting premise, Kalki was unable to craft a meaningful and engaging storyline. This left the audience and the critics disappointed and unsatisfied.
4. The Star Power Over Substance Problem
One of the common strands running through Singham Again, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Kalki is an over-reliance on star power rather than substance.
These films had good mass heroes who are all audience favorites, but instead of coming up with a solid character and interesting storyline, the film leaned too much on its star.
While, in all three films, the lead actors—be it Ajay Devgn in Singham Again, Kartik Aaryan in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, or even the ensemble cast in Kalki—were allowed little more than superficial assignments, the characters often looked shallow, with little in terms of emotional depth and motivation beyond their star appeal.
This lack of some strong, well-developed characters ultimately weakened the film, making it difficult to connect with the story by the audience.
5. Failed Expectations: Critical and Commercial Struggles
All three of these films failed to meet the high expectations set by their trailers, marketing campaigns, and their respective franchises. As a result, they not only struggled critically but also faced significant commercial struggles at the box office.
The disappointing storylines, weak character arcs, and lack of engaging content led to negative reviews from critics and poor word-of-mouth from audiences. Fans had been longing for well-crafted movies that will bring excitement in the theatres, and they leave feeling frustrated by the movie’s end.
Conclusion Singham Again, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Kalki are a few worst movies of 2024 as they contain weak storyline, poor script, and not much is developed as the character in the films. Each movie had it’s potential to be outstanding, but did not get close to surpassing its parent franchise or premise.
This led to their downfall, because instead of focusing on crafting meaningful narratives and well-developed characters, they relied on star power. These films are a reminder that star appeal and big budgets alone cannot guarantee success; a strong story and engaging content are essential to winning over both critics and audiences.