DYK Ratan Tata's only Bollywood production was a disaster?

Ratan Tata, the former chairman of Tata Sons, is a name recognized by many in India for his successful business ventures. However, not many know that he once ventured into the Bollywood film industry. In 2004, he produced his only film, titled Aetbaar, but it turned out to be a major failure.

Aetbaar was a romantic-psychological thriller directed by Vikram Bhatt and featured a star-studded cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, and John Abraham. Despite the presence of these well-known actors, the film did not perform well at the box office. It focused on a protective father, played by Amitabh Bachchan, trying to save his daughter, portrayed by Bipasha Basu, from a psychopathic boyfriend played by John Abraham.

Despite Ratan Tata’s high hopes for the film, Aetbaar failed to resonate with audiences. It made only ₹4.25 crore in India and around ₹7.96 crore worldwide, which was far below the production cost of ₹9.50 crore. The film’s disappointing performance marked a significant setback for Tata, leading him to decide against any further investments in the film industry.

Ratan Tata's foray into Bollywood was unexpected, given his extensive background in business. His venture into film production showed his willingness to explore different avenues, but unfortunately, it did not yield the success he anticipated. After the flop of Aetbaar, Tata returned to his business pursuits, never looking back at the entertainment industry.