There were quite a lot of expectations riding on SS Rajamouli's magnum opus, Baahubali 2, that had released in China on May 4. The movie was expected to take their box office storm. In the process, it was expected to expand its worldwide collections and enter the Rs 2000 crore club, joining Aamir Khan's Dangal. After all, even Dangal owes it mega success to China to much extent. Baahubali 2 stars Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Rana Daggubati, Ramya Krishnan and Sathyaraj.

However, Baahubali 2 is having a disappointing run in China, unlike some of the other recent Indian releases. It recorded the lowest grossing opening weekend in the last couple of years for an Indian movie, leading behind Salman Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Irrfan Khan's Hindi Medium, and Aamir Khan's Dangal and Secret Superstar. Till now, Baahubali 2 has collected just $8.56 million in its 5 day run which amounts to Rs 57.58 crore.

With Avengers Infinity War releasing in China this Friday, expected Baahubali 2 to bow out of the theatres there soon. So what happened? What went wrong? How come India's highest grossing film (domestic) failed to impress China, when lesser costing movies like Dangal and Secret Superstar had heaped millions of dollars? Here are five theories as to why Baahubali 2 didn't work as per expectations.

#1 Not a social drama

All the movies that have worked in China are social dramas. The ones that have worked the best, Dangal and Secret Superstar, have at its core the message of female empowerment. Baahubali 2 may have themes of feminism and women empowerment in its narrative, but it is essentially a fantasy action adventure, something that may not have worked as a genre for the Chinese audiences who expect a certain quality from Indian movies. The same way we expect all Chinese movies to be about kung fu!

#2 China has seen enough big budget movies

Chinese film industry has their own biggies that have worked well for them, even the ones that belong to the fantasy genres. Some of the big hits in the genre are The Monkey Kingdom, Monster Hunt, The Mermaid etc. So Baahubali 2 might not be bringing anything new to the table for them. Also, the Chinese audiences have to be very familiar to understand how our monarchical system and culture work to enjoy Baahubali 2.

#3 Indian Movie overdose?

After the success of Dangal and Secret Superstar, Indian film-makers are trying to get their movies to be released in China. Earlier one movie or two might come out in a year. But in 2018, we had Secret Superstar, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Hindi Medium and now Baahubali 2 releasing in the country. So has the Chinese audiences got tired of our movies? If that's the case, we are worried about the prospects of Toilet - Ek Prem Katha and Sultan that are also scheduled to release in China later this year.

#4 Our Manna, their poison?

When Baahubali 2 released in India in 2017, it was widely appreciated by the critics as well as the audiences, who ignored many of its major flaws. Some of them were some bad CGI, some unbelievable action sequences, a jarring shift of protagonists in the third act and so on. Maybe these flaws were caught on by the Chinese viewers, who weren't over-awed by the budget.

#5 No Aamir Khan?

Chinese audiences are in love with Aamir Khan, whose movies have worked best in the country. Even Secret Superstar, which only had the actor in an extended cameo, did tremendous business there. Unfortunately for Baahubali 2, there is no Aamir Khan in the cast to save the movie's box office business there.

So what do you make of Baahubali 2's dismal performance in China despite the vast release? Do you agree with our views here? Share your thoughts below.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 08, 2018 04:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).