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Industry was in desperate need for more bankable male stars when he made his debut, the film was a disaster but everyone and literally everyone found his performance praiseworthy. Remember Shahrukh khan was slowing down with KANK and DON being average grosser at the box office, Salman was hardly there (he made his comeback with Wanted' and Dabang' much later)and Aamir was Aamir- like doing one film in two years. Hrithik was there yes, but again he has always been inconsistent.
So when Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani' recorded fabulous box-office collection in its first week, media was quick to grab the opportunity and started projecting him as the "Next King of bollywood".
They probably read little too much between the lines. Rajkumar Santoshi being a hit director and presence of Katrina Kaif- most popular leading lady back in 2009,might have actually done the trick for the film and Ranbir was given wayyy too much credit. 'WAKE UP SID' another critical and commercial success he had that year, also helped him. Imagine a young leading man who is a crowd puller and also loved by critics- like what else do you want Man?????His next offering Rocket Singh, Salesman of the year'- should have benefitted from Ranbir's newly found superstardom, but it hadn't. The film again was critically acclaimed but tanked at the box office.
BTW Is there any film in which critics didn't like him????
Rajneeti' , Rockstar' , Barfi' , Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani' - Ranbir delivered back to back successes later. Only notable failure was Anjana Anjani' and later 'Besharam'. Media understandably continue singing hosannas in his praise.
What is Ranbir Kapoor's fault in all this?? Did he himself ask others to call him a superstar?? Media has tried that with Hrithik Roshan too. The reality is none of them are bankable enough to be compared with Khans and that's understandable coz, Khans have been part of the game for close to 3 decades now and also barring Aamir, none of them try their hands in different genres.You can not say a new actor should do that. Now Ranbir doesn't have the personality to pull off a film like Dabang'- so what should he do?? Stop doing films??? He has been a truly gifted actor right since "Saawaria", he shined bright in even worst of his films and "Barfi" and "Rockstar" only solidified his position as being one of the finest mainstream actors out there. But to be a superstar is that enough?? what's definition of being a true superstar?
1. You need to carry a film on your shoulder - Ranbir never managed to score a hit with a newcomer opposite him for eg- Besharam' and Rocket Singh', so as Hrithik, Akshay, Ajay (Barring Singham). Only Khans do that regularly.
2. Manage to score well at box office, even with a BADD BADD film- Again SRK, Salman do that regularly, Akshay and Hrithik have done that too. Aamir do good films but his films too score wayyy bigger than what they should. Has RK ever managed that?? Kind of YES, with Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani'.
3. Need to have a solid fan base, which will go and watch your film just because you are part of it. Khans have it, Hrithik to some extent YES' though much less in number. Ranbir??? Debatable at least after the latest catastrophe called "Bombay Velvet".
Anything else??? Do you think, a male actor needs to prove his mettle in action genre before being called Superstar' in bollywood??- People like Ranbir kapoor have no chance at all??
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