The Young Brigade of Bollywood: Who is the next superstar?

There are two groups of competition in Bollywood. The first group consists of established stars like Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan and Hrithik Roshan. With years of hard work, success, failures and blockbusters behind them, these stars have firmly established themselves as bankable stars in every nook and corner of the country.

The second group is the younger brigade. The main players are Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan, Sushant Singh Rajput and Arjun Kapoor. Much like the established stars, there is tremendous competition between the younger stars too.

The big question is, which of these stars can go on to replace the established stars in the industry and who amongst them has the potential to make it big in the future.

Our analysis:

Ranbir Kapoor

What works: His acting talent is his biggest strength, followed by his fan-following among the urban youth. The fact that some of the best directors in the industry like Rajkumar Hirani, Karan Johar and Imtiaz Ali are keen on casting him in their films, will also be a huge confidence booster for the actor.

What doesn’t work: His choice of films has let him down in the last couple of years. He has attempted to do films belonging to different genres and some of them with limited appeal, something that has resulted in loss of some amount of his equity among his fans. Also, his appeal towards the masses is limited.

Future prediction: He may be facing flak for the kind of films that he has chosen, but as cliched as it might sound ‘form is temporary, but class is permanent’. His future films like Tamasha, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Sanjay Dutt biopic seems promising enough to take him back to the big league.

Chances of Ranbir Kapoor making it to the big league: 9 on 10.

Ranveer Singh

What works: A talented actor who can cut across the mass audience as well as appeal to the multiplex audience. Ranveer has also played a range of different characters on screen and has built a loyal fanbase for himself. With the right attitude and choice of films, he has the potential to make it to the big league.

What doesn’t work: His energy and over-enthusiasm can get irritating at times. His fashion sense is one of the weirdest among the lot and his apparels express more than impress. In short, it’s his off-screen persona that has created negativity around him.

Future prediction: He has had his share of films that have gone wrong like ‘Kill Dil’, ‘Ladies vs Ricky Bahl’ and ’Lootera’. However, Ranveer has also been appreciated for his performances in almost all his films. The keenly-awaited ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ has not been a huge commercial success, but Ranveer’s performance has been appreciated by most. His forthcoming ’Bajirao Mastani’ is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Industry sources claim it’s his best performance to date.

Chances of Ranveer Singh making it to the big league: 8 on 10.

Shahid Kapoor

What works: A versatile actor, excellent screen-presence, a great dancer and one of the best looking actors in the industry – Shahid Kapoor has everything going for him, he is the perfect package to make it to the big league.

What doesn’t work:  He has always been considered the best bet to make it big, but for some reason, his films have under-performed at the box office. His choice of films has been extremely poor and some films that he rejected, have gone on to be major hits. His attitude and mood swings have also been questioned.

Future prediction: With ‘Haider’ winning him huge appreciation and with films like ‘Shandaar’ and ‘Udta Punjab’ in the pipeline, Shahid Kapoor is readying himself for bigger things in the industry. He just needs one big hit to turns things around for him. It also remains to be seen if marriage will prove to be lucky for the actor.

Chances of Shahid Kapoor making it to the big league: 8.5 on 10.

Varun Dhawan

What works: A versatile actor who reminds us of Govinda and Salman Khan. When it comes to the luck factor, his career could be compared to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Everything that Varun has touched so far, has turned into box office gold.

What doesn’t work: His personality and screen presence isn’t the best when compared to his contemporaries like Sidharth Malhotra and Ranbir Kapoor. His dialogue delivery has been severely criticised and rightly so. When sharing the screen with better actors, Varun faces the risk of being overshadowed. Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Badlapur, for example.

Future prediction: The biggest test for Varun Dhawan will come when one of his films fails at the box office. But until then, he has one safe film in the form of Shah Rukh Khan’s Dilwale and then the massive challenge of living upto expectations in Karan Malhotra’s Shhuddhi, where he has replaced mega stars like Hrithik Roshan and Salman Khan. Plenty of potential to make it big in the industry and he can only improve as an actor from here.

Chances of Varun Dhawan making it to the big league: 8 on 10.

Sidharth Malhotra

What works: His personality and his presence is enough for his fans to drool over him. He also enjoys a huge fan following amongst his female audience and has the potential to be the ‘next angry young man’ on screen.

What doesn’t work: He has a long way to go both as an actor and in the dancing department.

Future prediction: He seems to understand what works for him in terms of characters that he plays on screen and hence his choice of films has been great so far. Brothers looks like another 100 crore+ grosser and will definitely help him create a fanbase amongst the masses.

Chances of Sidharth Malhotra making it to the big league: 7 on 10.

Arjun Kapoor

What works: Arjun Kapoor enjoys a decent following amongst the single screen audience.

What doesn’t work:  His personality is the weakest among the younger generation of actor. He has also failed to establish a fanbase for himself. His carefree and loud attitude at times works against him.

Future prediction:  He needs to be careful when it comes to career choices. Tevar, which was pitched as a 100 crore film, and sold for an exorbitant price, tanked without a trace at the box office.

Chances of Arjun Kapoor making it to the big league: 5 on 10.

Sushant Singh Rajput

What works: Talented actor and given his television background, he reminds us of Shahrukh Khan during his younger days. Like SRK, he has opted to do different films at the beginning of his career (Kai Po Che and Detective Byomkesh Bakshy).

What doesn’t work: Unlikely to hold universal appeal, especially at mass centres.

Future prediction: With the revenue from multiplex business increasing quite significantly each year, popularity in mass centres is no longer as important as it was a couple of decades ago. He has a few interesting films like MS Dhoni biopic, under a terrific director like Neeraj Pandey.

Chances of Sushant making it to the big league: 6 on 10.

Which young actor will make it big in the future?

  • Ranbir Kapoor (23%, 1,612 Votes)
  • Varun Dhawan (22%, 1,563 Votes)
  • Shahid Kapoor (19%, 1,366 Votes)
  • Sidharth Malhotra (17%, 1,179 Votes)
  • Ranveer Singh (14%, 981 Votes)
  • Sushant Singh Rajput (4%, 318 Votes)
  • Arjun Kapoor (1%, 62 Votes)

Total Voters: 7,081

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279 Comments

  • This is one of the Best articles by Indicine in a long time .
    I will give my opinion on Youngsters in Bollywood :
    1. Ranbir Kapoor – I like him . He has given some brilliant performances in WUS, Raajneeti, Rockstar and Barfi . I think people went crazy by calling him a Superstar after YJHD . I know did 189 CR and it is still the Highest Grossing Movie of Bollywood released on a Non Holiday but it was the 1st movie of Ranbir which did outstanding business and you can see the result 3 back to bacj flops after YJHD . 2 Years back he was the only youngster dominating the box office but in 2015 Varun, Ranveer, Siddharth and Arjun are giving tough competition to him . Tamasha will be a very important movie for Ranbir both Box Office as well as Performance wise . I did not liked any movie of Ranbir after Barfi and also his performances were mediocre or average .
    2. Ranveer Singh – I like him also . After Ram Leela his Fan Following has increased tremendously . He has given some terrific performances in BBB, Lootera and Ram Leela . Gunday was average, KD was bad and DDD was pretty ordinary . DDD will be Ranveer’s 2nd back to back failure after KD . Bajirao Mastaani is a huge movie in Ranveer’s career . This is the dream project of SLB and it stars Deepika and Priyanka . I feel Ram Leela is the Best Performance of Ranveer till now so i think he will give a knockout performance but i am not sure whether the movie will be worth watching . I did not liked Ram Leela at all . The clash with Dilwale will be something dangerous and the makers have to decide properly because the budget is too high . He is an entertaining guy but sometimes he overdoes it and that like looks cheap and he looks attention seeker .
    3. Shahid Kapoor – Shahid will complete 12 years in Bollywood in the month of Sept so he is the oldest in terms of experience and age . He has a pretty bad success ratio except Vivah, JWM, Kaminey, Rajkumar and Haider . He is a very good actor but has done some really stupid movies in the past and that has affected him . He has given 2 back to back Hits such as Rajkumar and Haider . He was absolutely magical in Haider . It is his Best Performance till date and one of the Best Performances by a Bollywood Actor in this decade . His upcoming movies are recall important like Shaandaar and UP . He has talent he just needs to do good movies so that he can make a strong impact . I have voted for Shahid Kapoor .

  • Sid will benefit from his incredible physique and looks..Girls are crazy for him on social media and he’ll be hot coz of his rivalry with Varun Dhawan as they both started their career with the same film.
    He has to improve as an actor,he’s giving tough competition to arjun rampal currently,hope Brothers will change this notion about him.

  • A little unfair to say that Varun getting overshadowed by Nawaz is a bad thing. It took massive guts for Varun to even go up against him and he stood his ground against him. Badlapur was very impressive for a fourth film performance, compare that to Sid getting completely overshadowed by Ritesh (a comic actor). At least Varun was able to walk out of Badlapur with praise

  • When did Varun became a versatile actor?? And then he reminds you of Salman Khan which itself is contradicting your first statement…lol

  • Tiget shroff also can make it big. He is a good dancer and looks good like hritik.. but he is not a good actor.

  • @babaji Shahid, Ranveer, Imran, Ranbir are almost in the same age catagory. Salman and Aamir made their debut 5 years before SRK, but they are in the same age category

  • Ranbir & Varun!! Rest r trying as supporting actor :p

    Ranbir have charm,persona,acting skills evrything.. Mr. Perfect

    Varun hv all ability to be Nxt Salman Khan! luv his dancing skill

  • 4. Siddharth Malhotra – This guy has a outstanding personality . He has great height, face and physique . He was average in SOTY . He did a good job in HTP . In EK Villain he was very good . I am damn sure Brothers will be his Best Performance . The problem with Sid is he has to improve his expressions . He has a modelling background hence he is not a trained actor . John and Arjun Rampal have also been criticized for their expressions because they started their career as models . He needs to do different kind of movies so that he will be called as Versatile .
    5. Arjun Kapoor – He transformed himself from Fat to Fit . I loved his performances in Ishaqzaade and 2 States . He was also good in Aurangzeb . He was very bad in Gunday and Finding Fanny . He needs to improve his voice . He is also being too choosy which may affect him just like Shahid . He needs a solid performance to be back in the competition .
    6. Varun Dhawan – He is the least talented youngster in this list . I don’t like him . I have seen his 3 movies and did not like any movie . He was decent in HSKD . He was pathetic in MTH . I will not deny that his popularity especially in Masses who compare him with Salman . Dilwale will be Bonus for SRK because he will get Christmas for the first time . He needs to improve his acting and dialogue delivery . He is not a Actor till now he is an over actor .
    7. Sushant Singh Rajput – He has done only 3 movies till now so it will be unfair to compare him with these Actors . He has worked with Abhishek Kapoor and Dibakar Bannerjee . He has done a cameo in Raju Hirani’s movie . His movie choices have been very different and interesting . MS Dhoni will be a huge movie and he is lucky to work with a Director like Neeraj Pandey so early in his career . I hope he justifies the character of MS Dhoni . He has a bright future ahead . If he continues to do different movies people will start respecting him !!!!!

  • Hahaha arjun kapoor 5/10 . expected this from indicine.bt thabx fr this article on youngistaan bt wat is sahid doing here? ??didn’t he make his debut 12yrs back and has acted in around 30films

  • @babaji wat crap.sid is an excellent actor . nobody compares him with john or rampal except u.aftr all u njoy films like hak tmraja natwarlal.lol

  • Sid will be superstar of tomorrow.he is next big b n SrK of bollywood.Varun is just like Salman.hope shahid will also chose good movies like Haider n Rabbir have dull future.y u count Arjun in this list n I don’t know abt suhshant.Sid hatts off for u!

  • Indicine may be he will be superstar as he is has age on his side still you can’t include his name in the list where varun,Sid,shushant,arjun names are as their experience is just 1/4 than shahid in industry,
    As the title of this artice “youth brigade” and shahid not fit in this category, you shouldn’t include him in the list.

  • Ranbir kapoor hands down, he is already a head big stars like akki and ajay at this early stage of his career. Although I am akshay fan sometimes ihave to be honest and say things as they are, by the way I haven’t complained when ever you said ranbir has more youths in urban cities, but iam still hurting the way you compared akki with a kid like varun.and if you can still count shahid as a young actor why not emraan hashmi I believe they are the same age.

  • hahah guys u r comparing Sid with Arjun sushant n Ranbir…plz remove Shahid I know he will good but he is not a youngster n Only Varun is a guy in this list can compare with Sid.Sidharth is superstar.Everybody who said sid is not good I advice for them to watch Brothers Trailer then talk.Simply Sid n Varun only have bright future

  • ranbir
    ranveer
    shahid…

    varun sucks in dialogue delivery department
    Siddharth malhotra has a little expressionless face..
    arjun kapoor sucks in every department :)
    sushant Singh rajput needs big movies
    as he hàs everything

  • Who is the best newcomer according to you? Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan,Sidharth Malhotra,Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Sushant Singh Rajput?

    Mine vote goes to Salman Khan and Aamir Khan.. 2010 se accha kar raha hai dono launde..

  • 1.Varun
    2.Ranveer
    3.SSR
    4.Sid,Arjun (both even don’t know the word acting totally waste)
    Ranbir and Shahid not in this league

  • Indicine shahid kapor is no more young brigade. He is already 12 years in industry.
    Ranbeer is best but still he is not new. Varun is next best then sidharth. Remaining are waste.

  • it is surprising shahid still hasn’t made it big considering he has been in the industry for such a long time. ranbir is most likely so far to be in the big league. if siddharth manages to work on his acting then he can be the biggest star out of all the others.

  • @babaji why u target Salman in each every article…. U and nipun most Salman hater I ever seen….
    even we Salman fans support akki in yesterday’s article….
    even I says that indicine u hurt us (about akki question) then they replied me…
    go n check yesterday article…
    I thought u r sensible hr akki fan..
    but u disappointed me…
    U know what even I’m not talking about anything bad about hr n akki… And I didn’t like to talk bad about akki n hr….I respect both….
    but u @babaji don’t even miss single chance talk bad about salman….

  • Competition is in between 3 guys… Ranbir varun n shahid..i like dem all..but voted foh shahid.ranbir is very good too..but dere was only one option with which i can go.so voted foh shahid
    Bdw where is imran khan??
    Rajkumar rao vidyut jamwal pulkit samrat are talented too..lets see who stands where???

  • @@@@ Indcine did u really think that after three khan and Hritik there is any Superstar or bankeble star??? You mentioned Akki and And ajay devan as Bankeble star.They both are just star they need good script to get hit status for there movie and Khans need just weekend for hit movie status of there movie..Ajay and akki is just star and Hritik is Semi superstar….And young briged RK is potentional to be Superstar and Other like Varun,ranbir have potential superstar unlike khan and HR they didnt given BB movie in their first Five year Only ranbir Given blockbuster Rajneeti was multistarer u cannot give whole credit to RK Only..where other young actor long way to go i dont find anybody that kind of acting tallent to called future superstar..SRK and amir Given ATBB early of their carieer MPK and DDLJ and KNPH for HR only amir didnt have BB movie of early stage of carrier but he has Many superhit and then ATBB movie to his credit….Only RK can be Superstar in future bt other Varun is totally copy cat of salman and other dont have tallent or charm that can be superstar……

  • what a jokes I read above they said Sid don’t know abt acting ok pls watch Brothers Trailer he explain by his work than his words.Sid is the best.

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