[dropcap]T[/dropcap]hey are followed, they are topic of discussions, they are role models and they are worshiped. Who are they? They are the Superstars. Well super-stardom doesn’t come easy, these stars burn the midnight oil to achieve super-stardom. Once achieved it needs to be sustained. In the Hindi film industry stardom started with Rajesh Khanna but it didn’t stick with him for long. Soon there were other contenders who fought and won. The stardom that Kaka enjoyed never returned back to him. Same happened with other stars of the industry. They ruled for a while but when their stars hid behind the clouds of competition they were left with side roles, cameos and invites at inauguration ceremonies. Blame it on their destiny or their tantrums. Some accept their fate and move on, some look for more lucrative alternatives and some persist for a comeback – a superstar comeback. Not all succeed in their pursuit.

The 90s produced a number of superstars namely Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Sunny Deol and Govinda. They all enjoyed super-stardom. They were crowd pullers, they ruled single screens, they were the hit machines but none of them could make a comeback. Govinda did manage to be a part of couple of films which did good business but they were multi-starer. Films in the Hindi film industry are made on formulas and one of the main ingredients of the formula is the actor himself, beside the story.

Many have been superstars but the comebacks have been few. The ones who made it against all odds have time and again proved their skill and worth with box office success. Let’s hop in the journey of Superstar Comebacks.

Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan

No passage can describe a star who has 189 credits to his name as an actor. The biggest Superstar Comeback has been of the legend Amitabh Bachchan. He once ruled the Hindi film industry as the angry young man. His films ran full house. Producers stood in queues to sign him. Though he was adamant to act and played the main character in films like Lal Baadshah and Kohram, his journey as the main lead didn’t last for too long. Age can be stated as one of the reason for his films bad reception at the box office. His stint in politics is considered a bad move by himself. Some bad decisions in business made him broke. But he was determined he had to comeback not for anybody else but for his family and himself. He did whatever work came his way, he worked hard with great dedication. People who know Mr. Bachchan or who have had the pleasure of working with him know his dedication.

He made a comeback on the small screen with Kaun Banega Crorepati, the show was an instant hit. Many followed Mr. Bachchan and did debut on TV with a range of game shows but none of them ever came close to Mr. Bachchan’s execution.

I once had the pleasure of being at a studio this year where he was recording a voice over for a documentary and he gave every take like it was his first take. The effort he puts in makes him a superstar that he is today. The same effort makes him the star of the millennium, a tag well deserved and well kept.

Sridevi

Sridevi

Sridevi

Well, heroines don’t make comebacks in film industry, do they? Yes, they do. Heroines in the film industry are not able to make a comeback with a safe script these days, but Sridevi did the opposite. She made a comeback with a good script which would have been rejected because of apprehensions by many heroines who are looking for a comeback.

Our Chandni wooed the audience with her elegance and simplicity in the film English Vinglish. Making a comeback with an unconventional film brings Sridevi in our list of Superstar Comebacks.

Madhuri Dixit Nene

Madhuri Dixit Nene

Madhuri Dixit

It is very hard to be a superstar in India for a female actor and to make a comeback is harder. Only few dedicated ladies have been fortunate to be a superstar. Madhuri Dixit is one such name. She enjoyed immense fame during her career high and then she got married and flew away with Dr. Nene, breaking million hearts. People in love with Madhuri wished her good luck and believed that she will comeback someday, their love will bring her back. Even Madhuri couldn’t bare detachment from her fans and on popular demand she came back.

Though her comeback film was not a success as speculated but audiences loved her when she gave tips to celebrities on a dance reality show Jhalak Dikhla Ja. The dance reality show judged by her became the biggest dance reality show on Indian television. Anyone who got a chance confessed their love for her on national TV.

The Dhak Dhak girl will soon be seen as Rajjo in Gulaab Gang and Dedh Ishqiya.

Sunny Deol

Sunny Deol

Sunny Deol

Sunny Deol is a superstar who delivers power packed performances. He has given comprehensive performances in the 90s in films like Damini, Ghayal and Ghatak. These films showcased the raw talent he possess. Dialogues delivered by him in his films are still popular, he was most convincing when he said Tarikh pe tarikh which got him his second national award. People loved him when he played a lawyer who fought against injustice and resented the incompetent judiciary. No other star could have done justice to the character of Kashi in Ghatak.

Gadar is ranked third on the list of the highest grossing films of all times in Hindi film industry.  Apne and Yamla Pagla Deewana were his recent hits. Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 didn’t live up to the expectations but the star is back with Singh Saab The Great directed by Anil Sharma ready for release in November 2013. Whenever this actor director pair have come together for a film they have given a hit entertaining film.

He is one star who is aggressive, lethal, intense and also comic. He has played all shades on the celluloid. There are stars who cant even earn a nomination for a national award and he has bagged two of them. We hope to see more of Sunny Deol’s power packed performances which not only entertain but also inspire us.

by Satyendra Pandey

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