Superstar, no matter what

So we wonder does the success or failure of the films affect its stars.

The box-office report definitely makes a difference in the Star power. But then, we have a unique league of actors, very few of their kind in Bollywood who held their ground. Come what may, for them success or failure all became a part of the rat race which was long left behind.

Here we list down the stars whose career graph showed a consistency from success to failure and vice-versa. Actors who were dejected by a string of flops; but like phoenix, rose back from devastating failures to rule the box-office with their stellar performance, refusing to be written off.

Let’s start with Khiladi Kumar, who has been the talk of the town for similar reason…

Akshay Kumar: Akshay Kumar is adequately efficient to prove his acting-prowess. Sadly, our tinsel town goes by the box-office performance. Even Akshay, adoringly called Khiladi Kumar can’t escape the fact. A look at his career graph in last two years shows his on-screen chemistry with super hot diva Katrina Kaif worked wonders at the box-office. Namastey London, Welcome and Singh is Kinng did terrific business both abroad and in India. Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Hey Babyy added another feather to Akshay’s career cap. But then, Akshay’s career graph took a big dip with Tashan and the downfall continued with disasters Chandni Chowk To China, 8×10 Tasveer, Kambakkht Ishq. Akshay is engrossed in the post-release promotion of Kambakkht Ishq to mend the tarnished image of the film. Thanks to critics, once never seen on the promotional front Khiladi Kumar does not seem to be left with any another choice. Well, once bitten twice shy oops four times bitten and forever shy goes true with the superstar. Are we right Mr. Kumar?

Saif Ali Khan: The Chote Nawaab too, has had his share of ups and downs and a swinging career graph. Kal Ho Naa Ho, Hum Tum, Parineeta, Salaam Namaste, Ek Hasina Thi and Omkara not only revealed the versatility of this terrific actor but also earned big bucks at the box-office. But as soon as his personal life took an important turn, his professional life started dwindling. Our isshara is towards his lady love Bebo yani Kareena Kapoor. A series of flops like Tashan, Roadside Romeo and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic gave a major blow to Saif’s career. Things were really better before Kareena started painting romance in Saifs’ life. Post Omkara Saif’s career had taken an ugly turn to flops, Eklavya - The Royal Guard and Ta Ra Rum Pum. Meanwhile, multi-starrer Race is the only saving grace in Saif’s recent career, which is more in news because of the off-screen romantic romps. 

Preity Zinta: Magic worked with her dimpled-cheeks initially and her films too clicked at the box-office. You name the star and we tell you that she has been paired opposite them; SRK, Aamir, Hrithik and the list goes on. Under all the prestigious banners in the tinsel town she delivered exceptionally brilliant hit films like Koi Mil Gaya, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer Zaara, Salaam Namaste, Krrish, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. However, her career graph started dipping with films Jaan-E-Mann, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and the list goes on again.

Aishwarya Rai: Miss Rai oops Mrs. Bachchan is another super-star whose super-stardom is forever on the rise. In-fact, Ash has maintained her stature overseas as well. If we were to have a glimpse at her career, we might initially see her struggling through a chain of flops, with films like, Dil Ka Rishtha, Kuch Naa Kaho, Khakee, Kyun Ho Gaya Naa, Raincoat, The Mistress of Spices and Umrao Jaan; that wasted her three years in critical disdain. Now after two years of marital bliss and Dhoom 2, Guru and Jodhaa Akbar she is back with the bang. Aishwarya has set the benchmark within the industry for her beauty and professionalism. The true international face of India, Ash is a superstar in every sense of the word. 

Priyanka Chopra: Piggy Chops played her cards well at the beginning of her career. Call it a bad selection of scripts or sheer bad luck; her career saw a dark patch in between. Aap Ki Khatir, Big Brother, Salaam-E-Ishq were a career setback. Love Story 2050 was like a dream, which shattered, leaving Priyanka and beau Harman Baweja brooding. God Tussi Great Ho, Chamku and Drona might have been the final blow, but she was saved by the tremendous success of Fashion and Dostana, which gave her career graph the much needed stability. Gauging all this, it seems Priyanka has learnt it the hard way. We yet again hope similar consistency at the box-office.

John Abharam: The hottest hunk in B-town- John Abraham, has come a long way as an actor as well. John recently displayed his best performance in Yash Raj’s New York, which came as a sigh of relief for B-Town after a long time. However, it was his last years’ release Dostana which broke the series of flops which were coming John’s way from a very long time. Baabul, Kabul Express, Salaam-E-Ishq, Water, No Smoking and Hattrick, Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal had brought him to scratch. And now with two consecutive hits, all we can say, ‘All’s well that ends well’.

- Esha Razdan/ - SAMPURN