Janhvi Kapoor’s highly anticipated film Ulajh, directed by Sudhanshu Saria, faced a disappointing start at the box office. Despite the high expectations, the thriller drama, co-starring Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew, Meiyan Chang, and Rajesh Tailang, failed to make an impact on its opening day.
The movie could only manage to collect a meager Rs 1 crore net at the Indian box office. Released on a screen count of 750, Ulajh clashed with Ajay Devgn’s Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha and also had to compete with previous week’s releases still playing in theatres. The tepid response was a setback for the cast and crew, who had hoped for a more robust reception.
Gulshan Devaiah’s Response to Box Office Performance
On August 4, Gulshan Devaiah took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to address the poor box office performance of Ulajh. Resharing a report on the film’s collection, he wrote, “Struggle is the salt that makes success taste good. The ones who don’t embrace the struggle will never achieve anything worthwhile. This is a tough business. Period.” His comment highlighted the harsh realities of the film industry and the perseverance required to succeed.
When a fan suggested that OTT platforms are the future, where many films receive appreciation and love from the audience, Gulshan disagreed, stating, “Feature films are meant to be seen on the big screen. Hit flop toh chalta rahta hai (Films will either be hits or flops). As pragmatic as I am about a lot of things, I’m not willing to let go of my idealism when it comes to cinema. I also don’t expect people to understand this. It’s a very personal thing for me.”
Plot of Ulajh
Ulajh revolves around Suhana Bhatia, played by Janhvi Kapoor, an Indian Foreign Services (IFS) officer from a family of patriots. Appointed as Deputy High Commissioner at the High Commission of India in London, Suhana faces resentment from her colleagues who believe her position is a result of her privileged background. Her journey takes a romantic turn when she meets Nakul, portrayed by Gulshan Devaiah, a Michelin Star chef. As Suhana navigates her personal and professional life, unexpected events blur the lines between the two, leading to a thrilling and dramatic narrative. The film’s storyline promises intrigue and complexity, but it struggled to translate into box office success.