In a recent exclusive interview with ANI, renowned filmmaker Rohit Shetty candidly addressed the unexpected setback faced by his latest film, ‘Cirkus.’ Shetty, celebrated for his string of blockbuster hits such as the ‘Golmaal’ franchise, ‘Singham,’ ‘Chennai Express,’ and ‘Dilwale,’ has established himself as the unrivaled maestro of action and comedy in the industry.
Reflecting on the reception of ‘Cirkus,’ which starred Ranveer Singh and hit theaters on December 23, 2022, Shetty admitted that the film failed to resonate with audiences, marking a departure from the success he had previously enjoyed. The comedy, set in the 1960s and featuring Ranveer Singh in a dual role, turned out to be a box office disappointment.
During the interview, Shetty shared insights into the circumstances surrounding the film’s production. He revealed that ‘Cirkus’ was conceived as a simple project, created during the pandemic when the industry was navigating unprecedented challenges. The filmmaker emphasized that if he were to approach the same subject matter today, he would choose a different direction.
Acknowledging the criticisms and unimpressive audience response to ‘Cirkus,’ Shetty discussed the motivation behind making the film. He disclosed that the decision to proceed with ‘Cirkus’ was driven by the need to keep workers employed and maintain a sense of normalcy during a period of uncertainty.
The filmmaker highlighted the unique challenges faced during the production of ‘Cirkus,’ being the first film shot amid the pandemic. From stringent health protocols, including regular blood tests and COVID tests, to the financial investments made in sanitization efforts, Shetty provided a glimpse into the complexities of creating the film under unprecedented circumstances.
Despite the box office letdown, Shetty stressed the importance of not taking success and audience support for granted. He expressed gratitude for the continued love from the audience and acknowledged that if there were perceived flaws in ‘Cirkus,’ it was a reality he accepted.
Looking ahead, Shetty revealed his resilience in the face of rejection, emphasizing that he and his team don’t dwell on hits or misses for too long. Culturally, they are back to work on their next project soon after, maintaining a forward-focused approach.
‘Cirkus’ marked the third collaboration between Rohit Shetty and Ranveer Singh, following ‘Simmba’ (2018) and Singh’s cameo appearance in the Akshay Kumar-starrer ‘Sooryavanshi.’ The film also featured a stellar cast, including Pooja Hegde, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Sharma, Johnny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar, Mukesh Tiwari, and Siddharth Jadhav. Varun Sharma played a dual role in this family entertainer.