“Bhediya Performed Lesser At The Box Office Than I Expected”: Amar Kaushik ADMITS Varun Dhawan Starrer Should Have Been Made Differently : Bollywood News

Filmmaker Amar Kaushik, best known for helming hits like Stree and Bala, recently opened up about the underwhelming box office response to his 2022 horror-comedy Bhediya, starring Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. While the film received positive feedback on OTT platforms, its theatrical performance was below expectations. In a candid chat on Komal Nahta’s podcast Game Changers on YouTube, the director shared key insights on what went wrong.

“Bhediya performed lesser at the box office than I expected”: Amar Kaushik ADMITS Varun Dhawan starrer should have been made differently

**Clash with Drishyam 2 and Exam Season Affected Bhediya, Says Amar Kaushik**

When asked about the stark contrast between Bhediya’s streaming popularity and its box office collection, Kaushik admitted that the timing of its release played a significant role. “Do cheezein thi jo mujhe baad mein samajh mein aayi (There were two factors I realised later). Just like Stree 2 is now releasing with two other films, Bhediya also clashed with Drishyam 2, which was a good film. It was released a week before us and had already created buzz. Sab vahi dekhne ja rahe the,” he explained.

The director further pointed out that the film was primarily targeted at the youth, but its release coincided with exam season. “I made the film targeting the younger crowd, and students didn’t even know it had released. They discovered it after it came on OTT and liked it very much,” he said.

**“I Wish I Had Made It Differently” – Amar Kaushik on Bhediya‘s Climax**

Kaushik also reflected on creative choices, particularly the film’s unconventional climax, which he now believes limited its mass appeal. “I made the climax a bit niche. Both characters turning into animals instead of focusing on the typical hero-heroine arc was intentional. I had an option to let Varun fight as a human, but then it would’ve revealed he’s a shape-shifting Bhediya. That would have made it difficult to set up the sequel,” he shared.

He added, “It was a learning experience. You realise these things later.” In the rapid-fire segment of the interview, Amar Kaushik candidly said: “Bhediya performed lesser at the box office than I expected, and I wish I would have made it differently.”

Despite its modest box office performance, the film has gained a loyal fanbase post its OTT debut. As part of Maddock Films’ expanding horror-comedy universe, Kaushik will return with Bhediya 2, alongside the much-awaited Stree 3 and six other interconnected titles.

Also Read:Subhash Ghai praises Amar Kaushik; shares advice for emerging writers and filmmakers