Tees Maar Khan Aftermath: Farah Khan Reflects on One of the Toughest Phases of Her Career
Released in 2010, Tees Maar Khan, starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, managed to earn a respectable ₹84 crore at the domestic box office. Despite the financial performance, the film received widespread criticism from audiences and critics alike, failing to match the massive success of director Farah Khan’s earlier blockbusters.
Years later, Farah Khan opened up about the emotional and professional aftermath of the film during an appearance on The Ranveer Show hosted by Ranveer Allahbadia. The filmmaker described the period following the release as one of the most difficult phases of her career.
Reflecting on the impact of the backlash, Farah explained that a poorly received film can leave a lasting mark on a filmmaker’s mindset. “It puts you on the backfoot for very long. You get over it, bounce back and go to work, but in your mind you’re always on the backfoot. You don’t have self-doubt, but people try to push you towards that,” she said.
According to the director, the criticism surrounding Tees Maar Khan created a psychological burden that lingered well beyond the film’s theatrical run. While she eventually moved forward and continued working, the experience reshaped how she perceived the industry’s reactions to success and failure.
Before Tees Maar Khan, Farah Khan had delivered major commercial hits such as Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om, both of which were celebrated for their entertaining storytelling and box office success. The stark contrast between those triumphs and the reception of Tees Maar Khan made the criticism even more difficult to process.
Despite the setback, Farah Khan remained resilient and continued contributing to the film industry as a director, choreographer, and television personality. Her candid reflection highlights the intense scrutiny filmmakers face and the emotional toll that public criticism can sometimes bring—even when a film performs reasonably well at the box office.
The director’s remarks also underline a broader truth about the entertainment industry: success and failure are often judged not just by numbers, but by expectations.
