From success to disappointment: Ajay Devgn and Twinkle Khanna in Itihaas

From success to disappointment: Ajay Devgn and Twinkle Khanna in Itihaas

In the world of Bollywood, successful acting couples are a tried and tested recipe for films. Well-known combinations like Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol or Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have delivered numerous hits. An example of such a couple is Ajay Devgn and Twinkle Khanna, who made their breakthrough with the 1996 film Jaan. Directed by Raj Kanwar, the story was hugely popular and starred not only Devgn and Khanna but also old masters like Amrish Puri. The film's financial success led to Kanwar re-engaging the two lead actors for his next project, the film Itihaas.

However, this second film, released in 1997, failed to live up to expectations and turned out to be a flop at the box office. Despite the initial success of “Jaan,” it became clear that even well-known couples cannot necessarily guarantee continued success. One factor that contributed to the failure story of Itihaas was the fact that Kanwar tried to repeat the tried and tested formula of the previous collaboration. This led to a plot that seemed almost identical to many viewers, while the new songs only offered a little kick of freshness. Ultimately, the audience was left disappointed.

The effects of failure

The failure of “Itihaas” had serious consequences for everyone involved. The financial losses to the production company ran into millions of rupees, which particularly affected the director and the lead actors, Ajay Devgn and Twinkle Khanna. Ajay faced a setback in his career but was able to recover over the years. He became one of the most versatile and successful actors in Bollywood, thanks in part to his collaboration with Rohit Shetty in the "Singham" franchise, in which he achieved great success. Now, he is all set to return to the role of Singham with Singham Again, a film directed by Shetty that many fans are excited about.

However, for Twinkle Khanna, Itihaas was not just a film but a turning point in her career. After a series of failures starting with Itihaas, Khanna retired from acting. Today, she is known as a successful author and interior designer and has shifted her focus to more creative endeavors, far away from the spotlight of cinema.

The case of “Itihaas” impressively shows that success in the film business does not only depend on the cast. Sometimes even the best chemistry between actors can't save what fails due to a weak script or an uninspired concept. This is an important lesson for filmmakers in Bollywood, who are always looking for the next big hit.