Sometimes, even films with big stars and good intentions can take an unexpected turn and The Lady Killer is one such story. What began as a promising crime thriller featuring Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar ended up becoming one of Bollywood’s most talked about misfires in recent years.
Directed by Ajay Bahl, The Lady Killer was envisioned as a dark and gripping love story with elements of crime and mystery. However, the project soon ran into production troubles. Multiple re-shoots in 2023 pushed the budget far beyond its initial estimate, eventually touching around ₹45 crore.
When the film finally released, it shocked trade analysts and fans alike, The Lady Killer sold only 293 tickets across India on its opening day. Its lifetime box-office collection couldn’t even cross ₹1 lakh, a number almost unheard of for a movie starring well-known actors.
Adding to the drama, reports claimed that the movie had been released in an incomplete form, with its climax yet to be shot. Director Ajay Bahl initially confirmed this but later took back his statement, leaving the audience and industry watchers confused about what really happened behind the scenes.
The film’s release strategy raised more questions. It received only a token release in a handful of theatres in November 2023. According to insiders, this was done to fulfill the conditions of a deal with Netflix. The streaming giant was set to release the film in December but a theatrical release in early November was a contractual requirement.
To meet the deadline, the makers reportedly decided to release the incomplete version of the film quietly, without any promotions apart from a basic trailer drop. The move backfired – The Lady Killer failed to draw audiences, critics panned it and Netflix eventually pulled out of the streaming deal after witnessing the film’s poor theatrical performance.
What was meant to be a bold cinematic experiment soon became an industry cautionary tale. The film was widely discussed for its chaotic production, sudden release and disappointing outcome.
Finally, after months of uncertainty, The Lady Killer found a new home, not in theatres or on OTT, but on YouTube. Released for free in September 2024, the film unexpectedly found a second life online, with over 2.4 million views to date.
While it may not have lived up to its title or expectations, The Lady Killer remains a reminder of how unpredictable filmmaking can be, where even star power and ambition can sometimes be overshadowed by production woes and timing gone wrong.
