Was Marketing Aayush Sharma As A ‘Superstar' A Mistake?

- 

#Love was all set to take over big screens nationwide with LoveYatri, the movie about an ambitious garba boy who falls in love with a London-bred sweetheart. A movie about a guy who goes long distances for the girl he loves and is ready to overcome any obstacle. A movie completely set against the backdrop of one of India’s most joyous occasions, Navratri. A movie with songs that took all of India by storm. A movie that was supposed to make its leads, the beautiful Warina Hussain and the charming Aayush Sharma, bonafide superstars.

Well, this movie did none of that.

Instead, what LoveYatri did become was a mind-bogglingly confusing venture comprising two people who seem a little unsure of what they’re doing most of the time. Ordinarily with a movie featuring two new leads, a dismal box-office run wouldn’t be that much of a surprise since one of the things that determines a movie’s success is its backing. But LoveYatri had a LOT of backing. Produced by Salman Khan Films and endorsed by the entire Khan khandan and Bhai himself, this movie was supposed to be a sure-fire hit at the box-office if not with the critics. What the makers expected was that people in the audience would be singing and dancing to Chogada tara as it blared on the big screens. What they got were half-filled theatres with people losing interest in the first 10 minutes. The movie barely made back its own budget. And that’s not a good sign, is it?

While Warina seem to be at least trying, Aayush just seems to be relying on his charm to pull his weight in the movie. And let me tell you, he ain’t no Varun Dhawan! Instead of being goofy and lovable, he comes off as annoying and slightly cringeworthy (the ‘kisiko jaadu jaisa feel nahin hoga’ and ‘garba boy