Picture Mumbai theaters in 2015, echoing with chants of “Bhaijaan!” as Bajrangi Bhaijaan stormed past ₹969 crore. From 2008 to 2017, Salman Khan reigned as Bollywood’s unmatched box office king, delivering 10 back-to-back blockbusters like Ek Tha Tiger, Dabangg, and Sultan.
But everything changed in 2019. Salman walked away from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Inshallah and instead chose Radhe. That single decision marked the beginning of what many trade experts now call the Salman Khan box office downfall after Inshallah rejection.
📈 The Golden Era: 2008–2017
From Wanted (2009) to Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), Salman owned the box office:
- Wanted (2009) – ₹190 Cr, revived single screens (Box Office India)
- Dabangg (2010) – ₹215 Cr, introduced Chulbul Pandey (Koimoi)
- Ready (2011) – ₹180 Cr, family entertainer (Bollywood Hungama)
- Bodyguard (2011) – ₹230 Cr, festive blockbuster
- Ek Tha Tiger (2012) – ₹320 Cr, started YRF’s Spy Universe (Sacnilk)
- Dabangg 2 (2012) – ₹250 Cr, sequel success
- Kick (2014) – ₹402 Cr, Sajid Nadiadwala’s blockbuster
- Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) – ₹969 Cr, emotional pan-India success (Pinkvilla)
- Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) – ₹405 Cr, festive family drama
- Sultan (2016) – ₹623 Cr, wrestling drama loved worldwide
- Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) – ₹565 Cr, spy-action peak (India Today)
👉 10 blockbusters in a decade made Salman unbeatable. His Eid releases became festivals—from Mumbai to small towns.
⚡ The Turning Point: Inshallah Rejection (2019)
- Inshallah was set to pair Salman with Alia Bhatt under Bhansali’s grandeur, lined up for Eid 2020.
- Trade expected ₹500 Cr+ worldwide (Koimoi).
- But Salman quit over “creative differences.” Bhansali later said Alia cried for days (Hollywood Reporter India).
- Instead, Salman chose Radhe, a remake of The Outlaws, directed by Prabhu Deva.
That decision kickstarted the Salman Khan box office downfall after Inshallah rejection.
📉 The Downfall: 2019–2025
Here’s how his post-2019 films fared:
- Bharat (2019) – ₹325 Cr, semi-hit but under expectations (Box Office India)
- Dabangg 3 (2019) – ₹230 Cr, flop despite franchise hype (Koimoi)
- Radhe (2021) – ₹15 Cr, pandemic OTT disaster, worst in decades (Sacnilk, Guardian)
- Antim (2021) – ₹60 Cr, Salman as second lead, box office miss (IMDb)
- Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023) – ₹182 Cr, flop despite Eid release (Koimoi)
- Tiger 3 (2023) – ₹466 Cr, hit but not at par with earlier Spy films (Sacnilk)
- Sikandar (2025) – ₹90 Cr vs ₹200 Cr budget, biggest flop since Yuvvraaj (India Today)
👉 From 2019 to 2025, Salman had no major blockbuster—a shocking reversal from his golden streak.
🎭 Why Did Inshallah Matter So Much?
- Bhansali magic: Past Salman-Bhansali collab Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) was iconic.
- Eid slot + grandeur + Alia’s appeal → trade predicted ₹500 Cr+ run.
- Fans on X still tweet: “Inshallah could have been his Bajrangi Bhaijaan moment again!”
- Instead, Salman stuck to formula action dramas like Radhe, which failed with modern audiences.
🔮 What’s Next for Salman?
- Kick 2 (2026) → Sajid Nadiadwala promises a bigger spectacle (Filmfare).
- Tiger vs Pathaan (rumored) → potential crossover to revive Spy Universe.
- Fans remain loyal, but Salman needs fresh scripts, not outdated formulas.
👉 The Salman Khan box office downfall after Inshallah rejection may not be permanent. With the right project, he can reclaim his throne.
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❓ FAQs
Q1: What caused Salman Khan box office downfall after Inshallah rejection?
He rejected Bhansali’s Inshallah in 2019 for Radhe, leading to flops like Dabangg 3 and Sikandar.
Q2: Which were Salman Khan’s biggest blockbusters?
Bajrangi Bhaijaan (₹969 Cr), Sultan (₹623 Cr), Ek Tha Tiger (₹320 Cr), and Tiger Zinda Hai (₹565 Cr).
Q3: Why did Radhe flop in 2021?
It earned only ₹15 Cr vs ₹90 Cr budget due to poor script, cheap VFX, and pandemic OTT release.
Q4: Which films marked his downfall?
Dabangg 3, Antim, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, and Sikandar all underperformed.
Q5: What’s next for Salman Khan?
Kick 2 (2026) and possible YRF Spy Universe crossovers like Tiger vs Pathaan.