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Creating New Stars in Hindi Cinema…
With Saawariya introducing the world to the acting talents of Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor, and Om Shanti Om rocket launching the career of Deepika Padukone, I got to thinking about the major stars of Hindi cinema who were introduced in the new millenium… Though many an actor made his/her debut since Y2K, only a few have had the kind of impact which could earn them the title of bona fide stars…
This is not a list or even an analysis, but rather an observation… in this post I’ll only be analyzing the new “Heros”, saving the launch of heroines for a later post.
Hindi Cinema has attempted to launch many an acting career these past 8 years, however how many saleable stars has it created? How many of the many new faces we’ve been introduced to really have the power to pull in audiences, even with a few films under their belt? I can, unfortunately, only think of a few…
Of course there’s Hrithik Roshan, the quintessential new superstar of the new millenium. A tonn has been written about his launch in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000), his roller coaster ride when despite working with big-time film-makers the likes of Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Subhash Ghai and Karan Johar his star status remained questionable. That all changed in 2003 with Koi Mil Gaya, followed up 3 years later in 2006 with 2 huge blockbusters in Krrish and Dhoom 2. Today he has the immense potential to take mainstream hindi cinema to new box office heights.
Abhishek Bachchan too has now finally established a strong fan following and thus a considerable amount of drawing power, especially in the last few years. But unlike Hrithik his road to success was much, much rockier. Despite being the son of the “Star of the Millenium”, Abhishek’s career began with a series of box office disapointments, beginning with Refugee in 2000 all the way until Zameen happened in 2003. Over 3 long years and as many as 10 films until his first hit, that too sharing the credit with Ajay Devgan despite an intense and credible performance. One whole year, and 5 films later came Dhoom in 2004, followed by Bunty & Babli, Sarkar, Dus and Bluffmaster all in 2005 and the ground had solidified beneath the feet of the next young superstar.
But you see, here’s where there’s a considerable drop off. Because the next biggest star I can think of to launch a career in recent memory would be Shahid Kapur. A hit in his debut film (Ishk Vishk - 2003) is something that not even the Junior B could boast of. Despite following up that feat with as many as 5 consecutive flops, Shahid slowly but surely climbed up the ranks of bankable stars with moderate hits in 36 China Town and Chup Chup Ke and a blockbuster with Vivah. His latest film, Jab We Met, is already being called the biggest hit of his career despite being on the marquee for only 2 weeks now, and a new star has arrived.
Another star who slowly but sure worked his way up the ranks is, of course, John Abraham. Launching a career with the surprise hit “Jism” in 2003, the’s had at least 1 hit a year since with Dhoom in ‘04, Garam Masala in ‘05, Taxi No 9211 in ‘06, alongside solid performances in Kabul Express and No Smoking to name a few. Though he still may be waiting for the big one in ‘07, rest assured he’s already made his mark and is here to stay.
And then there’s Ritesh Deshmukh, who made a quiet debut in 2003 with Tujhe Meri Kasam and Out of Control but managed to follow it up with such hits as Masti, Kya Kool Hai Hum, Bluffmaster, Malamaal Weekly (his 1st solo-hero hit), Heyy Baby and Dhamaal. Agreed these are, for the most part, mass oriented films and perhaps not the type of cinema which would really offer a challenging role to this talented and versatile actor. But they’ve assured him a certain degree of box office cred with the people who count, the audiences, and at the end of the day that’s what it takes to sustain a long standing career in this fickle Friday movie business of ours.
Who else have I missed? Vivek Oberoi perhaps? A powerful debut (Company - 2002), followed by a few hits (Saathiya in ‘02, Masti in ‘04 and Shootout in ‘07) and yet you can’t with confidence call him a “star” just yet because, well, 4 hits in 5 years does not a superstar make. I’ve still got faith that he will one day reach the star status to match his talent. I just hope I’m not the only one…
Oh yes, I almost forgot about Emraan Hashmi… Cuz you see whether you like him or his films or not is really irrelevant, his track record undoubtedly boasting of a a string of hits (Murder in ‘04, Zeher, Aashiq Banaya Aapne and Kalyug in in ‘05, Aksar and Gangster in ‘06). Its a shame that his biggest film to date, and perhaps his best performance Awarapan didn’t do well because the industry could really use another box office draw, whatever the demographics may be.
What about PFC personal favorite Abhay Deol? A proven performer, no doubt, but the big-time box office numbers have alluded him and thus so has the status of being a star. (Can Dev D do the trick? I hope so, because critical acclaim aside, the box office is what ultimately matters at the end of the day.
Could Shiney Ahuja be the next star in the making? Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003) was a great film, but unforunately didn’t do all that well at the ticket windows. However Gangster did, as did Woh Lamhe, both hits as recent as 2006. This year he’s already made a splash with Life in a Metro and Bhool Bhulaiyaa both proving hits. With Khoya Khoya Chand around the corner, here’s a guy whom the industry simply must take notice of.
I’ve also got my fingers crossed for Neil Nitin Mukesh as the guy has all the tools and the talent to really make it big. Johnny Gaddar was, to say the least, an amazing performance and a fantastic debut. As long as one of his next few releases manages to capture the imagination of audiences, the world will wake up to the man who could very well be one of the top future stars in this industry.
I really hope that happens, because if in nearly 8 years this is all the new star power our industry has been able to produce then we are in dire need of some fresh, and appealing, talent. For this reason I’m really hoping that both Om Shanti Om and Saawariya make it bit, and a new batch of superstars invade the Indian marquees. I’d love it if in 2009 the talk of the town is Ranbir Kapoors newest film and Neil Nitin Mukesh’s latest hit. This is as essential as anything else to the growth and prosperity of Hindi cinema going forward.
17 Responses to “Creating New Stars in Hindi Cinema…”
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I should mention that aside from being talented actors, guys like Sharman Joshi, Kunal Khemu and Kunal Kapoor also have the attributes and charisma to be stars in their own right.
I know the likelyhood of anyone agreeing with me is pretty low, but for some reason I’ve also seen a lot of potential in Zayed Khan. Say what you want he’s got plenty of charisma. If given the right kind of character and under the right kind of direction he could develop into a decent actor and a star as well. He wasn’t all that bad in Main Hoon Naa…
I feel any mention of Abhishek Bachchan`s career is incomplete without a mention of Yuva, and then Guru.
Tony… what do you say about Arjun Rampal?
Yeah I see what your sayin Srijith but as I recall Yuva was a box office disapointment (so didn’t really add to his star value) and Abhishek was already considered a star by the time Guru was released… but definately 2 of his most talked about performances…
Actually I’m really looking forward to seeing Arjun Rampal as the villain in Om Shanti Om (he plays unscrupulous film producer Mukesh Mehra…)
Personally I liked him in Ek Ajnabee and in Don as well… but in all three of these films he’s not the “star”.. today if a film release with Arjun Rampal as the “hero” (for example as Shahid was in JWM) then would audiences go to see the film based on his star power? In that respect I don’t think he’s achieved that level of star status…
Vidya Balan, Boman Irani.
And stars in the making - Kangna Ranaut, Rajdeep Hooda,
Shashi yaar… maine bola tha ke main heroines ke liye alag post likhoonga… Intezaar karna chahiye tha na..
Vidya Balan is totally a superstar… also Priyanka Chopra, Amrita Rao, Ayesha Takia have managed to establish themselves very well…
Kangna Ranaut is a rising star, and a marvelous actress… she was amazing in Woh Lamhe and showed definate commercial promise in Metro… it’ll be interesting to see what her next few films will be…
Randeep Hooda may have a great deal of potential as an actor, but I don’t really foresee him really becoming a bankable star… I’m not sure why but I just can’t see him headlining a major film… It’s the same for guys like Jimmy Shergill or Sanjay Suri… great actors, but somehow they lack that extra something which would give them that big-time star appeal amongst the general public…
As for Boman Irani, an superb actor no doubt.. but then again so is a Vinay Pathak or a Ranvir Shorey or an Irrfan Khan… but you can’t really slot these guys as “Heros” or top drawing “Stars”… the average movie goer won’t get up and tell 10 friends “Areh yaar Boman Irani ki nayi picture aa rahi hai” if you know what I mean..
Where did Vidya Balan come from? I just saw her in “Heyy Babyy” and there is something about her that I love. She really has presence and a dignity about her. She didn’t seem the type to be in that type of silly comedy, but she handled herself well and I really enjoyed when she danced, her moves seemed different from what you generally see. I hope she stays around…
Randeep Huda ??????????:-?:-?:-?:-?
You should have included Vijay raj and Bomman Irani also because they have changed the face of comedy in Indian cinema even though they are not “stars”.
Of all the name mentioned one thing is common that except few like Jhon Abrahm, Shiney Ahuja, are linked with film families and are star in their own terms. What i would like to see is a new person in the industry making the mark. Infact that is what the likes of Amitabh Bacchan, Dharmendar, Jitendeer, etc were. It
Did R.Madhavan had his debut in Y2k ????
Paresh Rawal anybody ?
He did the transition from “character actor” to a “star” in Y2K.
Interesting post Tony. I think in recent years, the stars now include the writers and directors too, albeit not as wide an appeal as the actors. I guess you could include Raj Kapoor and Subhash Ghai who had this star appeal.
*****
“P” has no fear.
If writers and directors are to be included .. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Jaideep Sahni could be considered as “stars” ..
Oh yeah Shreyas Talpade is totally another rising star! Solid performances right from Iqbal on. Dor was a hit and really showed his versatility when compared to his character in Iqbal. I think Dil Dosti Etc. can safely be called a hit now? From what I’ve seen in the promos he looks pretty good in Om Shanti Om as well…
IndiaFM’s already posted their review of the film (I’m assuming based on the preview screening) and here’s what Taran Adarsh said about Shreyas Talpade:
Shreyas Talpade is another surprise. A complete natural, he stands on his feet all through, not getting swayed while sharing the screen space with the topmost star.
:)>-:d
hallo im an aspiring actor i did diploma in acting th v\barry john acting studio