Akshay Kumar’s box office revival: From a string of flops to a resurgent 2025 | Hindi Movie News

For nearly three decades, Akshay Kumar has remained one of Bollywood’s most bankable and prolific stars. Known for his versatility, work ethic, and ability to straddle genres — from action and comedy to drama and social message films — Kumar has consistently delivered hits and built an enviable career. But even for a seasoned star like him, the last couple of years proved testing. Between 2022 and early 2024, Akshay faced a string of underwhelming box office performances that cast a shadow over his otherwise formidable filmography. However, if recent releases are anything to go by, the tides are finally turning.The Rough Patch: A Series of DisappointmentsIt all began post-pandemic when Kumar, who was once known for delivering four to five successful films a year, found himself in unfamiliar territory. Films like Bachchhan Paandey, Samrat Prithviraj, Raksha Bandhan, Ram Setu, Selfiee, Mission Raniganj, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and Khel Khel Mein not only failed to make a mark at the box office but also struggled to connect with audiences and critics alike. The only success coming his ay was Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi and his own production OMG 2 wherein he had a cameo appearance. The reasons were varied. Some blamed the scripts and hurried production timelines, others pointed to changing audience preferences in the post-pandemic era. Viewers seemed to prefer rooted, massy entertainers or pan-India spectacles over formulaic star vehicles. The shift in audience sentiment, the rising dominance of South Indian cinema across India, and the growing demand for fresh stories meant that even a star of Akshay Kumar’s stature couldn’t escape the churn.In this period, his films barely crossed a respectable mark mark domestically, with some ending their run far below expectations. The once invincible Kumar saw his reputation as a sure-shot opener at the box office wobble. The perception that his films were suffering due to rushed productions and lack of innovation only added to the challenge.The Turning Point: Sky Force SoarsAfter months of recalibration and strategic project choices, Akshay Kumar found his breakthrough moment in Sky Force. The patriotic action-drama, inspired by real events, struck a chord with audiences, combining Kumar’s longstanding image of a disciplined, heroic figure with slick action sequences and a solid narrative.Released in January 2025, Sky Force opened to positive word of mouth and saw steady growth through its opening weekend. By the end of its theatrical run, the film collected Rs 113.62 crore domestically, becoming Akshay’s first hit in a long time. The film’s performance was a crucial confidence booster — not just for Kumar but for trade pundits and distributors who had begun to question his box office viability.What worked in Sky Force’s favor was its patriotic theme — a genre that has historically served Akshay well in films like Kesari, Airlift, and Baby. Combined with strong action choreography, a tight runtime, and Kumar’s understated yet impactful performance, the film resonated with audiences across both metros and smaller towns.The Follow-Up Success: Kesari 2Riding on the success of Sky Force, Kumar’s next, Kesari 2, proved that the revival wasn’t a fluke. A spiritual sequel to his 2019 hit Kesari, the film had built-in brand value and an established fan base. Released just months after Sky Force, Kesari 2 opened to decent numbers and maintained a consistent run at the box office.The film was based on Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat’s book THe Case that Shook the Empire. By the end, the film had minted Rs 92.63 crore domestically. While it didn’t breach the Rs 100 crore mark, it did enough to reaffirm Akshay’s resurgent position in the industry. Importantly, the film’s success showcased his ability to revive his core audience — those who admired his action-hero persona combined with stories rooted in patriotism and valor.The back-to-back success of Sky Force and Kesari 2 indicated that Akshay’s audience hadn’t entirely abandoned him. Instead, they were seeking well-packaged, engaging entertainers with stronger storytelling and higher production values — a lesson the actor seemed to have taken to heart.Housefull 5: The Comeback VehicleIf there was any lingering doubt about Akshay Kumar’s box office pull, Housefull 5 silenced it. Released in June 2025, the fifth installment of the comedy franchise stormed the box office, raking in Rs 100.5 crore in just four days. The film didn’t just meet expectations — it exceeded them.What’s more, Housefull 5 became the fifth biggest Hindi opener of the year, reaffirming Kumar’s hold on the comedy genre. The franchise, which had consistently delivered hits in its previous iterations, capitalized on nostalgia, an ensemble cast, slapstick humor, and over-the-top sequences — ingredients that the Indian audience still cherishes in the right measure.The early collections of Housefull 5 have placed it on track to become one of the year’s highest-grossing Hindi films, giving Akshay Kumar his third consecutive box office success in less than six months — a feat few contemporary actors can boast of.With three consecutive hits, Akshay Kumar’s slate for the rest of 2025 and early 2026 looks promising. He is reportedly gearing up for Welcome to the Jungle, the next installment in the Welcome franchise, followed by Jolly LLB 3 which sees him crossing swords with Arshad Warsi in this Subhash Kapoor directorial venture. He also has Priydarshan’s Bhoot Bangla which sees him reuniting with the director after a gap of 17 years. And he also has a film with Saif Ali Khan in the talks. Every superstar’s career faces ups and downs, but it’s the ability to bounce back that defines longevity. Akshay Kumar’s resurgence in 2025 isn’t just a personal win — it’s a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of listening to one’s audience.