Are box office figures the only criteria for success?

On the one hand we complain how pathetic mindless masala movies are ending up being crazy successful, harming the quality of movies being made. And on the other, we judge an actor's credibility based on how many blockbusters they have under their belt. I get that a majority of Bollywood actors have not reached a place in their career where they can afford to not care about box office figures but give them some credit! They're not one-hit wonders who just disappeared into nothingness. Nepotism gives (albeit not always fair) chances but work speaks at the end of the day. Bollywood is not an easy industry to make into on one's own but it's not easy to survive even with connections. Those who have been here for a while have proven their mettle critically and commercially regardless of the number of hits or flops. A lean phase might dent their significance but their careers won't be over so soon.

I know nobody will have the time to even read this topic through let alone reply to it considering how busy they are analysing flop actors' flop careers but certain things are too ridiculous to bottle up.

I partially agree with you. They can't afford to not to deliver for an elongated period of time but the kind of ups and downs some of them have seen, they can't be written off as unsuccessful just because of an underwhelming box office record. They have more credibility than that and their work speaks. I hope you understand what I am trying to say :)

It is extremely important that audience like the movie. Because after all audience make an actor. Just because some people find masala movies crap doesn't mean they are crap. Dabbang, wanted, ghajini, main hoon na, and singham are well appreciated masala movies. And it is not only masala movies that get appreciated. Same audience have also accepte queen, twmr, barfi, Mary Kom, jab we met and list is endless.

Now coming to shahid, his success ratio is very poor. I like him but he has done many awful films which haven't been successful.

His successful movies are jab we met, haider, Kaminey, vivah, Rambo rajkumar but what else? It's valid for people to ask questions. Plus if he has done these movies then he has also done phata poster nikala hero, Mausam, badmash company, teri meri kahani, chance pe dance, milenge milenge, dil mange more, dil bole hadipaa etc. And these movies are flop in terms of Bo and critical acclaimed.

Now coming to ranbir kapoor

His three back to back flops

Besharam

Roy

Bombay velvet

These three movies were flop in terms of Bo success and critical acclaimed.

Now this makes you or anyone question that the Bo pull of these actors esp shahid.

Sonam is just about 'surviving'. Her body of work is very underwhelming considering how long she's been here and if people make similar topics on her, I'll actually agree. And this is coming from someone who really saw potential in her.

As for Vidya, she's going through a lean phase but I don't think her career is finished.

@you2: Janta decides success of a FILM, not the ACTORS. The actors are a small part in the package of a film. It's success cannot be credited only to them and similarly, a flop can't be blamed just on them.

Don't take a Khan's name. They are exception to the rule.

Appreciation v/s underrating of quality movies is a different debate. Neither am I analysing Shahid's or Ranbir's success ratio and BO pull. My topic is about something else :)