While promoting HIT 3 in Mumbai, Nani made a statement that has everyone talking. In a Filmfare interview, he remarked, "Seniors, who did a lot of blockbusters, are unable to deliver successes."
Sounds harmless? Maybe. But fans were quick to ask - was that a subtle dig at Bollywood's fading giants: Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar?
3 Films, 3 Big Clashes: On the Way to Superstardom
Let's be honest - the timing is too perfect to ignore. Salman's Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan flopped. Akshay's Selfiee, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and several others? Straight-up disasters.
And now comes Sikandar - not just a flop, but arguably Salman's biggest disaster in the last 20 years.
PR Stunts: Kartik Aaryan Got Serious Competition
With a reported budget of ₹200 crore, the film hasn't even touched ₹100 crore net at the box office.
That's a brutal blow, especially for Salman, who hasn't witnessed this kind of crash in nearly two decades. Some even argue Sikandar is a bigger disaster than Laal Singh Chaddha. And let's be real - had it not released on Eid, it might've struggled to cross even ₹50 crore.
Another Day, Another Classic Ruined by Bollywood
Salman and Akshay were once box office titans. So, when Nani talks about outdated formulas not working anymore… who else could he be hinting at?
He never took names. But the message was clear. The era of "big name = big hit" is over.
Nani's point? Chasing formulas is a dead end. Audiences have evolved. And coming from someone carving a path into the Hindi belt, that's a bold - and timely - statement.
Is it shade? Maybe. But it's also undeniable truth. Audiences aren't paying just for a face anymore.
They want stories. Performances. Vibes. And Nani, known for his content-driven hits, seems to be taking a respectful but pointed jab at the senior superstars.
Was Nani being savage? A little. But smartly so. He's simply echoing what the box office is showing - legacy alone won't cut it anymore. Substance matters.
And whether HIT 3 proves his point or not, we're about to find out soon.