Discover how Vashu Bhagnani, the producer behind several of Akshay Kumar’s recent box office disappointments, built a significant fortune outside of Bollywood through real estate ventures.
Beyond the Box Office Busts
Akshay Kumar has faced a challenging period at the box office, with multiple films underperforming. A common thread linking many of these projects, including *Bade Miyan Chote Miyan* (BMCM), *Mission Raniganj*, and *Bell Bottom*, is Pooja Entertainment, the banner run by Vashu Bhagnani and his son Jackky.
BMCM, reportedly made on a Rs 300 crore budget, only managed to gross around Rs 100 crore globally. This significant loss led to allegations of unpaid dues from many who worked on the film. Similarly, *Ganapath*, starring Tiger Shroff, also struggled, earning less than Rs 20 crore.
It’s noted that Pooja Entertainment hasn’t delivered a major box office hit in two decades, raising questions about their financial reliance solely on film production.
A Different Kind of Blockbuster: Real Estate
While the film industry might be unpredictable, Vashu Bhagnani has diversified his portfolio into a thriving real estate and construction business. He revealed in a recent interview that cinema is not his sole source of income.
Bhagnani approaches building development much like he does filmmaking. He shared that he doesn’t believe in using his own capital for every project, instead focusing on smart investments and development strategies.
From Mumbai Skyscrapers to London Studios
In 2018, Bhagnani ventured into the London property market, acquiring a building in Mayfair. Despite admitting to a language barrier, he quickly established a two-acre studio in London, complete with VFX facilities and vanity vans.
He explained his unique work rhythm: “I used to make one building and one film, one building and one film.” This strategy has proven highly successful in the real estate sector. He boasts having built and sold 45 buildings in Mumbai alone, all while steadfastly holding onto the intellectual property of his films.
Addressing the Controversy Head-On
Bhagnani also addressed the swirling rumors of bankruptcy and mass layoffs following the *Bade Miyan Chote Miyan* controversy. He expressed his disappointment over how these stories were spun negatively.
He emphasized that as a businessman, losses are part of the game, and recovering from them is a natural process. He questioned why efforts to manage financial setbacks would be portrayed as failures or signs of distress.
- Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment produced several recent Akshay Kumar flops, including the Rs 300 crore budget *Bade Miyan Chote Miyan*.
- Despite film industry challenges, Bhagnani has a highly successful real estate and construction business.
- He has built and sold 45 buildings in Mumbai and established a two-acre film studio in London.
- Bhagnani directly addressed and dismissed rumors of bankruptcy stemming from recent film failures.
Bhagnani’s diverse business ventures highlight a strategic approach to navigating the volatile entertainment industry by building a strong foundation in other sectors.
