Salman Khan, Shah Rukh make way for 'star' Ranbir Kapoor

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor always knew he was cut out for Hindi cinema like is father, uncles, grandfather and great-grandfather.

This Kapoor scion made his debut in 2007 with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Saawariya'. The film didn't work at the box-office. But same cannot be said for Ranbir - he came out as the winner.

He gave a strong performance and was an acor to look out for. Films like 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', 'Wake Up Sid', 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani', 'Rocket Singh', 'Rajneeti', 'Anjaana Anjaani', 'Rockstar', 'Barfi' followed.

Ranbir stealthily forged a successful career despite tackling unconventional roles in an industry dominated by action films and family dramas.

He shouldered 10 films but with this year's 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' Ranbir finally sounded the bugle to the big Khans of the industry.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan has been ruling the roost in Bollywood as the big league players along with Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar have a new name among them.

Ranbir quietly nudged in the group to shakes up Khan domination.

'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' has pulled in 1 billion rupees in domestic ticket sales in one week, underscoring actor Ranbir Kapoor's increasing clout at the Bollywood box office.

"He is not just a star, he is a superstar now," trade analyst Vajir Singh said on Friday.

"The rate at which ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' has crossed 100 crore (1 billion) rupees in domestic theatre revenues is bigger than his last film ‘Barfi', which also did well at the box office," he said.

After a bumper opening of Rs.19.45 crore in Indian, and an opening weekend of a whopping Rs 62.11 crore, the Ayan Mukerji directorial continued running to packed houses in India.

"100 crore. And still counting," tweeted trade analyst Taran Adarsh. He continued, "#YehJawaaniHaiDeewani is on a record smashing spree in USA and Canada. Is likely to emerge one of the biggest grossers [Hindi film] there."

"In India, at the rate it is faring, #YehJawaaniHaiDeewani likely to emerge 3rd biggest grosser, after #3Idiots and #EkThaTiger. Wait-n-watch," he said.

The film has already had the biggest opening at box office this year. 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' also crossed the weekend collection figures of 'Ek Tha Tiger' (Salman Khan), 'Dabangg 2' (Salman Khan), 'Ra.One' (Shah Rukh Khan), 'Bodyguard' (Salman Khan) and several other biggies that have made it to the 100-crore-club in the last few years, Indiatimes reported. 

'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani', directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Karan Johar, stars Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles.

In an interview Ranbir had said, "I don't believe in 'the next big thing'. You're either 'the big thing' or you're not. I think it creates more of a challenge to me. It makes me think 'Why am I not already the big thing?' I want to be as big as the Khans. I want to be the big star. I want to have the body of work, I want to have a fan following. I want to have it all." 

Not just a skillful actor, Ranbir Kapoor strategically planned his moves towards super stardom - with convincing performances and Box Office report card.

With 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' and two other films in his kitty, 'Besharam' and Anurag Kashyap's 'Bombay Velvet', Ranbir has taken the quantum leap and landed himself the prized membership to the big boy's club.

Bollywood is no more a 'Khan-istan'; the Kapoor boy has arrived!

(Inputs from Reuters)

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