Who is the number 1 actor of 2012?

Keeping in mind the interesting responses we received, and are still receiving for our previous post

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN

Releases:
1. Players – a multi-starrer heist film. Final analysis: DISASTER
2. Bol Bachchan - a whimsical action comedy. Final analysis: HIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 164 crore
What kept him in the news? Hardly anything. We saw his wife and baby in the news more.

HRITHIK ROSHAN

Releases:
1. Agneepath - remake of the 1990 action drama film. Final analysis: SUPERHIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 193 crore
What kept him in the news? Well, he pulls a disappearing act quite often. But we keep hearing about Krishh 3.

IMRAN KHAN

Releases:
1. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu - an urban romcom on the lines of Jab We Met. Final analysis: HIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 52 crore
What kept him in the news? His chemistry with a bit-older Kareena, and his upcoming releases.

RITEISH DESHMUKH

Releases:
1. Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya - a quirky romcom between a real life couple. Final analysis: HIT
2. Housefull 2 - a multistarrer slapstick comedy. Final analysis: SUPERHIT
3. Kya Super Kool Hain Hum - sequel to superhit adult comedy. Final analysis: SEMIHIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 245 crore
What kept him in the news? Dependable comic/side hero carried off a solo release on his own and made his year special by tying the knot with lady love Genelia.

SANJAY DUTT

Releases:
1. Agneepath - remake of the 1990 action drama film. Final analysis: SUPERHIT
2. Department - a police-cum-political action film. Final analysis: DISASTER
3. Son Of Sardaar - a comedy action masala entertainer. Final anaylsis: SUPERHIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 324 crore
What kept him in the news? His Voldemort-ian avatar in Agneepath, and his joint venture with Raj Kundra launching India's first professional matrial arts league.

IRRFAN KHAN

Releases (excluding Hollywood):
1. Paan Singh Tomar - a biopic based on the real life of a military sportman. Final analysis: SUPERHIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 39 crore
What kept him in the news? A surprise hit on his shoulders, and lots of international acclaim.

SAIF ALI KHAN

Releases:
1. Agent Vinod - a desi but stylish James Bond. (Also producer) Final analysis: FLOP
2. Cocktail - an urban mish-mashed love story. (Also producer) Final analysis: HIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 152 crore
What kept him in the news? His nuptials to long time girlfriend Kareena Kapoor, a much-hyped release which tanked and a brawl at Taj.

AKSHAY KUMAR

Releases:
1. Housefull 2 - a multistarrer slapstick comedy. Final analysis: SUPERHIT
2. Rowdy Rathore - a typically desi masala action film. Final analysis: BLOCKBUSTER
3. Joker - a comic fantasy revolving around the extra-terrestrial. (Also Producer) Final analysis: DISASTER
4. OMG: Oh My God - a social satire with a difference. (Also Producer) Final analysis: SUPERHIT
5. Khiladi 786 - an action comedy from the famous Khiladi franchise. (Also Producer) Final analysis: MIXED OPENING
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 552 crore (so far)
What kept him in the news? FIVE releases in one year. Money, lots of money.

AYUSHMANN KHURRANA

Releases:
1. Vicky Donor - a romcom revolving around sperm donation. Final analysis: SUPERHIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 46 crore
What kept him in the news? His compering job on TV, and a sensational debut touting him as the next big thing in B-Town.

AJAY DEVGN

Releases:
1. Tezz - an action thriller with a message. Final analysis: DISASTER
2. Bol Bachchan - a whimsical action comedy. Final analysis: HIT
3. Son of Sardaar - a comedy action masala entertainer. (Also Producer) Final anaylsis: SUPERHIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 280 crore
What kept him in the news? A very public fight for rights with Yashraj films, and a Diwali face off at the box office.

EMRAAN HASHMI

Releases:
1. Jannat 2 - sequel to superhit crime thriller. Final analysis: SUPERHIT
2. Shanghai - critically acclaimed political thriller with an ensemble cast. Final analysis: BELOW AVERAGE
3. Raaz 3 - a supernatural thriller. Final Analysis: SUPERHIT
4. Rush - a crime thriller revolving around the power of media. Final analysis: DISASTER
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 196 crore
What kept him in the news? Being slow and steady.

ARJUN KAPOOR

Releases:
1. Ishaqzaade - a doomed inter-communal love story. Final analysis: HIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 46 crore
What kept him in the news? His debut performance.

ABHAY DEOL

Releases:
1. Shanghai - critically acclaimed political thriller with an ensemble cast. Final analysis: BELOW AVERAGE
2. Chakravyuh - a social commentary on the issue of Naxalites. Final analysis: BELOW AVERAGE
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 55 crore
What kept him in the news? This guy is not part of the crowd. His quips against the popular norms of the industry keep him in the tabloids.

SHAHID KAPOOR

Releases:
1. Teri Meri Kahani - a love story across three time periods. Final analysis: BELOW AVERAGE
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 42 crore
What kept him in the news? An alleged link-up which apparently broke-up.

MANOJ BAJPAI

Releases:
1. Gangs of Wasseypur Part 1 & 2 - crime film based on the rural power struggle and politics. Final analysis: HIT
2. Chittagong - a biopic based on the actual happenings of an uprising. Final analysis: FLOP
3. Chakravyuh - a social commentary on the issue of Naxalites. Final analysis: BELOW AVERAGE
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 68 crore
What kept him in the news? Nothing. He lets his work speak for itself.

SALMAN KHAN

Releases:
1. Ek Tha Tiger - an action film with a heavy emphasis on romance. Final analysis: ALL TIME BLOCKBUSTER (Grossed over Rs. 300 crore worldwide)
2. Dabangg 2 - the second installment to one of the highest grossing entertainers of all time. Final analysis: UNRELEASED (But touted to be a blockbuster)
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 307 crore (so far)
What kept him in the news? The second-highest grossing film of all time, and some witty quips.

RANBIR KAPOOR

Releases:
1. Barfi! - a funny and cute love story between a deaf and mute boy and an autistic girl. Final analysis: SUPERHIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 138 crore
What kept him in the news? A superlative performance, his first 100cr film, and the film's shortlist for the Oscars.

PARESH RAWAL

Releases:
1. Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal - a Priyadarshan ensemble comedy. Final analysis: DISASTER
2. OMG: Oh My God - a social satire with a difference. Final analysis: SUPERHIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 101 crore
What kept him in the news? A solo hit after years, and an acclaimed performance.

ARJUN RAMPAL

Releases
1. Heroine - a woman-centric bildungsroman on the life of a declining actress. Final analysis: BELOW AVERAGE
2. Chakravyuh - a social commentary on the issue of Naxalites. Final analysis: BELOW AVERAGE
3. Ajab Gazabb Love - a romcom involving the whole family. Final analysis: FLOP
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 62 crore
What kept him in the news? His forthcoming releases.

SHAH RUKH KHAN

Releases:
1. Jab Tak Hai Jaan - a fairytale Yash Chopra romance with a love triangle. Final analysis: SUPERHIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 100/120 crore (conflicting reports)
What kept him in the news? Promotions during release, lots and lots of controversy, and his last film with Yash Chopra.

AAMIR KHAN

Releases:
1. Talaash - a taut supernatural thriller. (Also Producer) Final analysis: SUPER HIT
Total Collection earned by films: Rs. 82 crore (so far)
What kept him in the news? Return to the big screen after 3 years, a high-profile release and Satyamev Jayate.

By the numbers, the top five would be Akshay Kumar with 5 releases, Sanjay Dutt with 3, Salman Khan with just one so far, Ajay Devgn with 2 and Riteish Deshmukh with 3. But the most appreciated performances came from Hrithik Roshan, Irrfan Khan, Manoj Bajpai, Ranbir Kapoor, Paresh Rawal and Aamir Khan.

By the looks of it, we'd pick Ranbir Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan and Sanjay Dutt as our top actors this year as all their releases raked in immense profits at the box office, and their performances were highly acclaimed. Ranbir's deaf and mute Barfi, Hrithik's tragic Vijay and Sanjay's scary Kancha Cheena gave everyone a run for their money. But Irrfan Khan turned out to be the dark horse. And Aamir Khan was Mr. Dependable, once again. But who's your number 1 this year?

(all numbers are in approximation and taken from BoxOfficeIndia.com)