2025 has so far been a disappointing year for Bollywood in terms of box office performances. Barring Chhaava which has earned over Rs 2 billion worldwide, most films have been struggling to attract audiences to the theatres. On Tuesday, Ajay Devgn, one of the major stars of Bollywood, admitted that the film industry is struggling to understand the evolved taste of the audience in the post COVID era, assuring that filmmakers are trying to figure out things.

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The actor was speaking at the trailer launch of Raid 2, the sequel to his 2018 film Raid. Devgn reprises the role of IRS officer Amay Patnaik in the sequel by Raj Kumar Gupta.

"We're still struggling. We're not sure (about) what the audience would come in (theatres) for and what not. But we think we have an idea of how audiences have evolved and changed during the pandemic. Also, too much exposure of international (content). We are adapting to it and that's how we are also changing... (we are) trying to figure things out," the actor told reporters here.

‘Situation is the same everywhere’

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Devgn, 56, said the problem is not restricted to Hindi cinema alone. “It's not that Bollywood films are not working. Films from all over the world... Some are working and some are not working. It could be Bollywood, it could be the South film industry or Hollywood. The situation is the same everywhere," he added.

Why was Riteish Deshmukh not present at the Raid 2 trailer launch? Here's what kept him busy

Asked whether ticket pricing was responsible for lower footfall, the actor said it wasn't so.

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"I don't think that (ticket pricing) is the reason because if the audience is coming they are coming at the same price. I think the audience is deciding what film to watch and not to watch...

"The audience doesn't get attracted to (promotion). They want content. If your trailer or teaser (is liked by the audience), or if they like the songs, then the audience definitely comes. Basically, it all boils down to what they want to see and if they are getting it in the trailer or not," he said.

Why was Riteish Deshmukh not present at the Raid 2 trailer launch? Here's what kept him busy

About Raid 2

According to makers, Raid 2 will celebrate the "unsung heroes of the Income Tax Department" and narrate a true case from their books. It will also feature Vaani Kapoor and Rajat Kapoor in pivotal roles with Riteish Deshmukh in the role of the antagonist. The film is a sequel of the 2018 film Raid which also starred Devgn. 

Raid 2 trailer out! It’s a battle between honest officer Ajay Devgn and corrupt leader Riteish Deshmukh

The film is backed by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak under their banners T-Series and Panorama Studios, respectively. It will arrive in theatres on May 1.

(With agency inputs)