Tees Maar Khan Becomes Gen Z Cult Favourite, Farah Khan Says Film Aged Better Than Critics Expected

Filmmaker Farah Khan believes that time has been kinder to Tees Maar Khan than critics were at the time of its release. The 2010 comedy, starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, may have struggled at the box office on day one, but has since evolved into a cult favourite—particularly among Gen Z audiences.

Farah recently reflected on the film’s changing perception during a conversation with digital creator and reality show star Purav Jha. The discussion began with nostalgia around Farah’s earlier hits and quickly turned into a moment of vindication for Tees Maar Khan. When asked whether he had seen the film, Purav responded enthusiastically, calling it iconic—a reaction that surprised and amused the director.

Farah jokingly remarked that younger audiences seemed to have discovered the film long after its release, at a time when it had already been written off by critics and sections of the industry. She recalled how the film was harshly judged when it first hit theatres, adding that the backlash was so intense it felt as though many within the industry were celebrating its failure.

The filmmaker has spoken candidly in the past about how Tees Maar Khan was received in 2010. According to her, the comedy’s exaggerated humour, self-aware absurdity and spoof-like treatment were perhaps ahead of their time. What was once labelled over-the-top is now being embraced by younger viewers who consume cinema through memes, reels and short-form clips.

In earlier conversations, Farah has said that Gen Z audiences often single out Tees Maar Khan as their favourite among her filmography, sometimes even ranking it above mainstream blockbusters like Main Hoon Na. She has noted that this generation connects deeply with the film’s unapologetic silliness, quotable dialogues and stylised performances.

Much of the movie’s renewed popularity can be attributed to social media. Scenes from Tees Maar Khan have become viral meme templates, regularly resurfacing on Instagram and X. The film’s humour, once criticised as excessive, now fits seamlessly into internet culture, where exaggeration and irony thrive.

Another major factor in the film’s lasting appeal is Katrina Kaif’s chartbuster song Sheila Ki Jawani. More than a decade after its release, the track continues to dominate playlists, wedding dance floors and social media reels. The song’s choreography and styling remain instantly recognisable, contributing significantly to the film’s pop culture afterlife.

Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of the flamboyant conman Tees Maar Khan has also found new appreciation. What was once dismissed as caricature is now viewed by Gen Z audiences as deliberate parody, adding to the film’s cult charm.

The transformation of Tees Maar Khan from a box office disappointment to a generational favourite highlights how audience tastes evolve over time. It also underscores how streaming platforms and social media have reshaped the way films are discovered, revisited and re-evaluated.

For Farah Khan, the film’s second life is both ironic and gratifying. While Tees Maar Khan may not have worked theatrically in 2010, its growing popularity among younger viewers proves that some films are simply ahead of their moment. Today, the movie stands as a reminder that commercial success at release does not always define a film’s long-term cultural impact.