Diplomatic answer to give a long rope to Ranbir and most men of his generation.
Superstar definition is clear. Not subjective.
The word is used too lightly now.
Rajesh Khanna got that title ONLY after giving 15 consecutive hits within 5 years in a row. Unlike today's champus who do not have 15 clean hits in whole career either.
Amitabh got one man industry title ONLY in 1982 after giving big bits like Deewar, Trishul, Mr Natwarlal, Suhaag, Parvarish, Amar Akbar Anthony, Don, Laawaris, Abhimaan, Kaalia, Namak Halal etc for a decade since 1973.
Rajinikanth got Superstar title after almost 2 decades of giving hits after hits.
SRK got King Khan title ONLY in late 90s or early 2000s after consistent slew of hits in 90s and giving top grossers like DTPH, DDLJ, KKHH, and 2 ATBBs like DDLJ, KKHH in one decade. Not after one or two hits hyped by media or hyped for his relation with co star or some hyped biopic.
Aamir got superstar title only after Lagaan, Ghajini, 3I, RDB, D3, Dangal, TZP, Fanaa broke records and also got critical acclaim. He was denied that title even in 90s despite hits like Dil, QSQT, Rangeela, Ghulam, and ATBB Raja Hindustani. He had to consistently prove he was a draw at BO to earn that title.
Salman got that title only by 1999 when all films he did that year, became big hits and he had already given hits like Judwaa, PKTDK, HSSH, Jeet, Saajan, Love, and 2 ATBBs like MPK, HAHK.
I am amused how criteria is always lowered for Ranbir and he is being called new king of Bollywood or future king since Saawariya itself and was labeled threat to Khans after Ajab prem ki ghajab kahani became hit. Lulz!
No criteria does NOT change.
Hrithik created hysteria with KNPH and gave 3 HGOTYs in first decade of career - KNPH, Krissh, KMG and is one of few actors to give 2 top grossing films of year in same year - Dhoom 2 and Krissh.
He did it without paid trolls or media or selling affairs or personal life.
He had organic craze unlike Ranbir who is always more hype than substance and has NO charisma like Khans and HR (he can be called more charismatic than only Aamir perhaps). Even Ajay Devgan's debut PAK is top grosser of its year of release and clashed with Lamhe and beat it fair and square. And his bike stunt is still copied by youth.
Ranbir babu can only dream of this.
Ranbir or any new guy like Ayushmaan, Ranveer or Rajkumar are online and multiplex stars. They have NO mass appeal on ground and in interiors. I would say even Rishi had greater mass appeal than Ranbir who is a niche star.
Definition of superstar CANNOT be changed just because boys of today are incapable of achieving heights of past legends. Next is what? Calling someone superstar if his pic gets most likes on Insta? 🤣
Give me a break.
Ranbir cannot stand one day in small towns, single screens. Zero mass appeal. His attempts at massy films like Besharam and Shamshera always fail. Always.
He always has to rely on urban unmarried guy, having issues with girl or family, to sail his boat.
Even SRK has given hits like Josh, Pathaan, Darr, Baazigar, Karan Arjun, Koyla, Don series despite mostly been labeled a romantic hero. And Aamir, Salman gave hits like Dhoom3, Judwaa, Ghulam, Ghajini, Dabangg, Bodyguard, Ready etc despite being mostly labeled romantic heroes due to their early films in 90s.
Hrithik has given non romantic hits like War, Agneepath, Dhoom 2 and never remained in KNPH mode. Hrithik's biggest success has been to be able to pull off remake of an iconic, National award winning AB Sr film and still get accepted as he did in Agneepath and rise above comparisons. Whereas remakes by others such as Ram Charan in remake of Zanjeer, failed big time.
Show me which new overgrown manchild heroes have done such work?
They are INCAPABLE. Period. It does not take reaching age of 40 and still not doing what seniors managed earlier.
How many all time blockbusters and highest grossing films of year and top grosser in single screens, overseas has Ranbir or any new guy given? Do they have appeal where only name alone is enough to sell tickets?
Ranbirs, Ranveer or others have phases. Get labeled new kings after just one or two hits or when there is no competition and big stars are not releasing films or there is lockdown.
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