Better late than never

One can easily say that the most sought after model at one time is still one of the most handsome men in Bollywood. Yes, we are talking about Arjun Rampal. Although he showed his acting prowess in the role of a blind man in Ankhen (released 2002), it took him another five years to bag his career-turning role in Om Shanti Om. While that salvaged his career, Rock On!! has propelled him firmly to the A-list.

Kareena Kapoor too had to wait a long time to taste success. Today she is India’s highest tax-paying heroine, a great dancer and actress. But a hit eluded Kareena for many years until Jab We Met came along and changed it all. So it is not an uncommon phenomenon to find success late in T’Town! Masala! tells you why some stars have taken such a long time to shine.

Arjun Rampal

Debut: Pyar Ishk Mohabbat 2001.

Turning Point: Om Shanti Om 2007.

Looking forward to: The Last Lear and Rajniti.

5 reasons why:

1 He found it hard to shake off the ‘models-can’t-act’ tag.

2 Arjun was noticed in Ankhen and had a substantial role in Don, but couldn’t cash in on the buzz.

3 He chose all the wrong films. Think Deewaanapan and Dil Ka Rishta to start with.

4 No big-time director signed him, they were not convinced.

5 He did not know about brand positioning in Bollywood.

What arjun says:

“Right now, I am in a good place, I am getting the scripts that I wouldn’t have got five years ago, the roles are good, everything’s good.”

Saif Ali Khan

Debut: Parampara 1992.

Turning Point: Dil Chahta Hai 2001.

Looking forward to: Imtiaz Ali’s untitled film.

5 reasons why:

1 People kept comparing him to his mum, Sharmila, because of his long hair. Of course, that did not help!

2 He did have hits like Tu Khiladi Main Anari and Yeh Dillagi, but these movies did not showcase his acting skills at all.

3 He signed every film that came his way. Remember Ashiq Awara or Tu Chor Main Sipahi?

4 He did not work on his voice and dialogue delivery before getting into films.

5 He badly needed a make-over. Dil Chahta Hai gave him just that.

What Saif says:

“At the beginning of my career I perceived films as fun and wasn’t trying to grow. But in the last few years I have really started to enjoy myself and that shows in my work.

Now I am even producing films.”

Abhishek Bachchan

Debut: Refugee 2000.

Turning point: Yuva 2003.

Looking forward to: Drona, Dostana and Dilli 6.

5 reasons why:

1 Audiences expected the impossible – that Abhi would be a replica of dad Amitabh.

2 He signed several films where he hardly had any role, such as Shararat, Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya and Om Jai Jagdish.

3 He was very wooden and gangly at first.

4 Mani Ratnam’s Yuva proved that Abhi could act, but it wasn’t a big hit.

5 Karishma called off her engagement with him. This impacted him very badly professionally as well as personally.

What Abhi says:

“After my movies failed I almost gave up but my father kept saying, just believe in yourself. Thankfully, better days were around the corner. You have to work very hard to get anywhere in this business and that’s a basic fact.”

Kareena Kapoor

Debut: Refugee 2000.

Turning point: Omkara 2006.

Looking forward to: Kambakht Ishq, Golmal Returns, Main Aur Mrs Khanna and Three Idiots.

5 reasons why:

1 Kareena’s debut film wasn’t a hit, although she was noticed.

2 She did have hits such as Ajnabee, Yuva and Aitraaz, but since they were multistarrers, the credits were shared.

3 She handled difficult roles with Dev and Chameli, but had no hits.

4 She angered directors with her arrogance and on-set rivalries.

5 She was basically unlucky. Big directors Ghai and Barjatya made flops with her!

What kareena says:

“I’ve never been more serious about my career. I’m endorsing seven brands and have four films coming up.”

It took them long too...

Irrfan Khan

He started in 1987 in serials produced by Star and did cameos in films too. In 2003 Maqbool got him noticed. Then came Metro, Namesake and Mighty Heart.

Arshad Warsi

He made his debut in 1996 with Tere Mere Sapne. After a series of flops for six years, Munnabhai happened to him in 2003.

Boman Irani

He dabbled in theatre before he made a lukewarm entry with Josh in 2000. Three years later Munnabhai shot him to fame.

Kay Kay Menon

He entered Bollywood with Naseem in 1995, but got noticed only eight years later in Hazaaron Khwaishi Aisi.