Both actors desperately need hit films; trade experts believe that Ranbir will get lucky before Shahid does
Upala KBR (DNA; December 9, 2015)


Advantage Ranbir
Shahid’s next is Udta Punjab, which hits the screens in the first trimester of the year. The film is directed by Abhishek Chaubey, who has made two films before - Ishqiya and Dedh Ishqiya. While the first worked, the second didn’t. Ranbir’s next film is Jagaa Jasoos directed by Anurag Basu, whose last film Barfi! was a mega hit. Also, Basu is known to be a commercial filmmaker with hits like Murder, Gangster and Life In A Metro to his name.

The next release
In Anurag’s film, RK gets united with his real love interest and that is another plus. Even if Jagga Jasoos doesn’t release on June 3, as slated or doesn’t work, RK has Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil just a few months later, in October. And KJo has a near 100 per cent hit record. The film is a love triangle between Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. And love triangles have always worked in Hindi films. There is tremendous excitement about the new pair in this film. While Ranbir is shooting both films simultaneously, Shahid has Vishal Bhardwaj’s Rangoon. Vishal is known to make niche films that could go either way. Although Vishal’s films get huge critical acclaim, they don’t always work at the box-office. Rangoon, which has Kangana Ranaut playing the leading lady, is a love triangle (also featuring Saif Ali Khan) in a period setting, like Casablanca, set against the backdrop of World War II.

Looking back
Shahid received a lot of flak for his last film Shaandaar. A leading producer questions, “Did Shahid even hear the script before saying yes to it? He turns down so many films that one would have thought he puts more thought into the films he signs up for. Meanwhile, though Tamasha didn’t work at the box-office, it got great reviews.”

***** Trade speak *****

Shahid was never supposed to be a big star — Taran Adarsh
While Shahid appears to need a hit, Ranbir actually is desperately in need of a hit. Tamasha has not lived up to the expectations. Shahid was never supposed to be a big hero. Ranbir is the only competitor to the three Khans — the only one who could give them takkar. He did reach there with Ye Jawani Hai Diwani when it crossed  Rs 180 crore, but suddenly with three flops that fizzled out. But Ranbir is a brilliant actor — one of the finest we have today. He is a bigger star than Shahid. As far as their lineup of films are concerned everybody these days is doing selective films. Ranbir has an edge over Shahid. Though Rangoon with Vishal Bhardwaj is a big film, Ranbir’s next is with Karan Johar and that says it all. Besides, Karan is directing the film himself after a gap — it’s a very big deal.

Ranbir has all the qualities of a superstar — Vikas Mohan
Ranbir needs a hit more than Shahid today because he’s more popular and better-placed. He has a mass appeal and possesses all the qualities of a superstar. He is just waiting for his luck to change. A fine artist like him was a little disappointed with the BO performance of Tamasha, but he can reach the pinnacle. All he needs is a flash hit and he has a better chance than Shahid. Ranbir chose wrong films. You can’t compare their lineup of films. How can you compare Karan Johar with Vishal Bhardwaj? One is a born director (Karan) while the other is by circumstance. Karan is a director for the masses while Vishal makes dark, edgy, niche films. Karan’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM) will make Rs 100 crores whether it’s a hit or flop, while Vishal will take 100 years to make Rs 100 crore! He will make people laugh and cry… ADHM will be a super duper hit. Whether a film runs or not is immaterial. Ranbir is a sincere and dedicated actor. Whether his films work or not, he’s already arrived. Ranbir Kapoor is the only challenge to those superstars who are crossing 50. He’s not a superstar of tomorrow. It’s unfair to compare Ranbir with Shahid. Ranbir is a khandaani Kapoor. A few flops won’t change his destiny.