Mumbai, India – Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut’s film Tejas, in which she plays the role of an Indian Air Force pilot, faced backlash and disappointing box office numbers last year. With only ₹6.2 crore nett collected in India, the action film was considered one of the biggest failures of 2023. Ranaut received criticism for her comments on the success of another film, Animal, which led to a social media backlash against her. In response, netizens began sharing a video of her aerial stunts in Tejas.
The video, which showcased a scene from the film featuring Ranaut’s character rescuing an injured soldier and fending off tribals, was mocked for its VFX and unrealistic elements. Users on social media platforms expressed their disappointment with the scene and questioned its credibility. Some criticized the editing and questioned the director’s choices, while others found the scene “ridiculous” and claimed that it looked even worse at normal speed.
Tejas, directed by Sarvesh Mewara, depicted the journey of an Air Force pilot named Tejas Gill on a dangerous rescue mission. The film also featured actors Anshul Chauhan, Varun Mitra, Ashish Vidyarthi, Vishak Nair, Kashyap Shangari, Sunit Tandon, late Rio Kapadia, Mohan Agashe, and Mushtaq Kak. It had been in the works for several years and was initially scheduled for release in December 2020. After multiple delays, the film finally hit the screens on October 27, 2023.
In preparation for the role, Kangana Ranaut underwent four months of intensive training to master the special combat techniques used by Indian forces. Speaking about the film, she expressed her hope that it would instill a sense of patriotism and pride in the youth of today. Despite the criticism and box office disappointment, Ranaut remained enthusiastic about her role in Tejas.
In conclusion, Kangana Ranaut’s film Tejas, portraying an Indian Air Force pilot, faced backlash for its unrealistic aerial stunts and poor box office performance. Despite the negative response, Ranaut trained extensively for the role and hoped the film would inspire patriotism.