At the peak of his stardom in 1995, Shah Rukh Khan teamed up with Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor for Trimurti—a film backed by big names and an even bigger budget. Touted as a sure-shot blockbuster, it opened to record-breaking numbers but quickly crashed due to poor reviews and word of mouth. What was meant to be a cinematic triumph turned into one of Bollywood’s most expensive flops.
SRK at the Height of His Powers
In 1995, Shah Rukh Khan was riding high on a wave of back-to-back successes. With Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Karan Arjun turning into massive blockbusters and Guddu earning the label of a semi-hit, SRK had firmly cemented his position as the top draw at the box office. By December, even Ram Jaane had emerged as a hit, further solidifying his dominance.
A Big-Budget Dream with a Star-Studded Cast
So when he teamed up with Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor for Mukul Anand’s Trimurti, expectations skyrocketed. The star-studded action film was touted as a casting coup and came with enormous hype. Backed by Subhash Ghai’s production house, Trimurti was mounted on a staggering budget of Rs 11 crore—making it the most expensive Indian film at the time, surpassing previous record-holders Shanti Kranti and Ajooba.
A Record-Breaking Opening… and a Quick Crash
Trimurti hit theatres on December 22 with sky-high expectations—and it delivered a record-breaking start. The film opened to a historic Rs 1 crore on day one in India, the biggest opening for any Indian film at the time. Its global opening weekend haul crossed Rs 5 crore, and all signs pointed to a blockbuster in the making.However, the dream run was short-lived. Despite the grand opening, Trimurti quickly collapsed at the box office. Poor reviews and negative word of mouth led to a sharp decline in footfalls, and within weeks, the film had vanished from theatres.In the end, Trimurti managed to collect less than Rs 9 crore in India—falling short of its Rs 11 crore budget. According to India Today, the film had been sold at an eye-popping Rs 2 crore per territory, leading to losses of over Rs 6 crore. What started as a surefire hit ended up being one of the most costly misfires in Bollywood history.
Casting Chaos Behind the Scenes
Trimurti was originally set to feature Shah Rukh Khan, Jackie Shroff, and Sanjay Dutt in the lead. In fact, Dutt had already shot a few scenes before he was sentenced to prison in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. With Dutt out, director Mukul Anand turned to Aditya Pancholi to fill the role. However, producer Subhash Ghai had a different vision—he pushed for Anil Kapoor, who eventually landed the part.The casting change didn’t sit well with Pancholi, who reportedly began making threatening phone calls to Anil Kapoor over losing the role. The situation escalated to the point where the police had to intervene. Pancholi ultimately apologised, bringing an end to the off-screen drama that nearly overshadowed the film itself.
A Bittersweet Legacy for Mukul Anand
Trimurti holds a bittersweet place in Bollywood history as the last completed film of acclaimed director Mukul Anand, who tragically passed away in 1997 while filming Dus. That project was ultimately shelved, leaving Trimurti as his final release.The film also featured notable performances by Priya Tendulkar, Mohan Agashe, and Anjali Jathar in pivotal roles. While Trimurti failed to make a mark at the box office, its music struck a chord with audiences. Composed by the legendary duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, the soundtrack featured six songs, with “Very Good Very Bad” and “Bol Bol Bol” emerging as chartbusters that continue to be remembered fondly.
