Indian TV stars don't get recognition because, Indian TV sucks. A guy might become overnight sensation. But when the series drag for 300 episodes with no plot, people loose interest in the serial. This affects the lead's fame. Even RK's serial got dragged. Pak tele actors do not have to suffer this. Their soap ends at a peak, making audience crave for their leads.
Second. When RK entered, all the big stars (Khans) were doing more films per year. Now there is breathing space for other stars too. Past 3-4 years have been easy for smaller stars. Look at Shahid's career in earlier days and now. He survived because of JWM,Vivah then. But now, even without big hits, he can grab prominent roles. So with Sushant.
Third, no God father/mother. If you take out Sonam Kapoor and KJo, where will Fawad be in Bollywood? When RK entered, Ekta was in Sonam's place. But he had a fall out with her. KJo was Ekta's friend. This pretty much sealed RK's fate.
I don't think, age was the constraint. When RK entered, he was younger than Fawad. Fawad might be handsome. But he does not young as the stars of his generation. For example, he cannot make a good pairing with Alia.
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