In 1995, Shah Rukh Khan experienced a rollercoaster ride in Bollywood, with seven film releases including blockbusters like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Karan Arjun. However, it was the film Trimurti that became his biggest flop, leaving a lasting mark on his career. Produced by Subhash Ghai and directed by Mukul S. Anand, this action drama started production in early 1994, featuring Shah Rukh alongside Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff.
Amidst the filming, Sanjay Dutt was arrested in connection with the 1993 Bombay blasts, prompting Ghai to replace him with Anil Kapoor. This casting change caused significant delays and ballooned the film’s budget, which ultimately reached Rs 11 crore. At that time, Trimurti was the most expensive film ever made in India, surpassing Amitabh Bachchan‘s Ajooba, which had a budget of Rs 8 crore.
Released in December 1995, Trimurti was initially celebrated for its record-breaking opening, making it the first Indian film to earn Rs 1 crore in a single day. However, enthusiasm quickly waned as poor reviews and negative word of mouth led the film to a disastrous performance, grossing only Rs 8 crore net in India. Despite its star-studded cast, including Priya Tendulkar, Tinnu Anand, Mohan Agashe, Saeed Jaffrey, and Himani Shivpuri, the film could not recover from its unfortunate fate.
Notably, Trimurti marked the end of Mukul S. Anand’s directorial career, as he tragically passed away while filming Dus in 1997. The combination of big budgets, high expectations, and a significant failure at the box office highlighted the unpredictable nature of the film industry, particularly for a superstar like Shah Rukh Khan. The lessons from Trimurti remain a cautionary tale about the risks of filmmaking, especially in an industry where expectations can quickly spiral out of control.
