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Shahid Kapoor finds his box-office mojo with Padmaavat
- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant           Let us know what you think about this article

According to a reputed portal that tracks box-office numbers, 'Padmaavat' will finish at Rs. 285 crores in the domestic market. Worldwide, of course, it has crossed the 500 crore mark and has emerged as the biggest success for all the key players involved with the film. However, the success of the film must be a little extra special for Shahid Kapoor, one of the three leading actors of the film. Kapoor, who made his debut with the 2003 romantic comedy 'Ishq Vishk' has seen more lows than highs in his career. His first film was a moderate success and with his fine acting chops and chocolate boy looks, he became an overnight sensation. He signed multiple film projects with reputed names in the business and made news for being in a relationship with Kareena Kapoor (Khan). Unfortunately, what followed next was a series of flops in 'Fida', 'Dil Maange More', 'Deewane Huye Paagal', 'Shikhar' and 'Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi'. In 2006, he paired up with his lady love on two films '36 China Town' and 'Chup Chup Ke'. Though these films were not washouts and have been enjoying a large viewership ever since they have been aired on television, neither of the two films were the kind that the actor's ailing career needed. But, things did change for the better in the same year.

Sooraj Barjatya, who had iconic films like 'Maine Pyar Kiya', 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!' and 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' to his credit as a director was going through a lull in his career after delivering a star-studded flop in the form of 'Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon'. Shahid Kapoor was the leading man in his small-budgeted family film 'Vivah'. The film, which paired Shahid and Amrita Rao for the fourth time together after 'Ishq Vishk', 'Shikhar' and 'Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi', turned out to be a blockbuster at the box-office and gave a lease of life to Shahid's dwindling prospects at the box-office. The next year, he was seen in the multi-starrer 'Fool N Final' directed by his long-time friend Ahmed Khan. The action comedy, which also starred Sunny Deol, came and went without making any noise at the box-office. Later that year, he appeared in a film directed who had a flop each as a writer-director ('Socha Na Tha') and writer ('Ahista Ahista'). 'Jab We Met' had him paired opposite his then-girlfriend Kareena Kapoor Khan. Though fans liked them as a pair, they had not quite warmed up to their chemistry in the films they starred together in. 'Jab We Met' turned out to be turning point in both Shahid and Kareena's careers. Though the film is best remembered for Kareena's portrayal of the free-spirited Geet, Shahid, too, got his due credit for the film. 'Jab We Met' was a respectable hit at the box-office but was a much bigger success on television and home video. Today it regarded as modern-day classic.

A successful film each in 2006 and 2007 indicated that Shahid was going in the right direction in his career and was past the days when he delivered one flop after another. Sadly, that was not the case as his career again embarked on a long spell of unsuccessful films starting with 'Kismat Konnection' (2008). In 2009, he played a double role in Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Kaminey'. The film brought him much acclaim and is regarded as one of the best films in his career. But, one cannot discount the fact that the film was merely an average success and not the kind of hit an actor like him, who was touted to be the next big thing, was expected to deliver. His entry into the Yash Raj Films' camp was marked by a flop ('Dil Bole Hadippa'). He had four releases in 2010 out of which one was an average success ('Badmaash Company') and the rest ('Chance Pe Dance', 'Paathshala' and 'Milenge Milenge') were flops.

In 2011, he starred in father Pankaj Kapur's directorial debut 'Mausam'. The film turned out to be damp squib and added to the woes of his flailing career. 2012 also saw him appearing in just one film 'Teri Meri Kahaani' which turned out to be a dud at the box-office. During this period, Shahid signed on to be a part of a then-unnamed film being produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Maneesh Sharma. Maneesh went through some health issues and the film was pushed ahead by a few months. Shahid waited for almost six months for the film to take off and then, decided to opt for one of the other films that he was offered at that time. Sushant Singh Rajput replaced him in the YRF film that was titled 'Shuddh Desi Romance'. The film was a hit at the box-office and turned out to be a missed opportunity for Shahid. 'Phata Poster Nikhla Hero', Shahid's first release of 2013, proved to be an under-performer at the box-office. Despite a section of the audience speculative about his turn to be an out-and-out action hero in Prabhu Dheva's 'R...Rajkumar' and the scathing reviews, the film turned out to be an above average grosser at the box-office. It was not the clean hit he would have hoped for but was a successful film at the box-office nonetheless.

Shahid teamed up with Vishal Bhardwaj for the second time in 'Haider'. The film had a Kaminey-like fate - brought laurels for Shahid and managed moderate success at the box-office. The next year, he finally made his way into Karan Johar's camp by starring in 'Shaandaar', a film co-produced by Johar's Dharma Productions. The film, despite getting a very good opening, crashed at the box-office. Abhishek Chaubey's 'Udta Punjab' got him what his earlier films with Vishal Bhardwaj had got him. 'Rangoon, his third film with Bhardwaj, could not even reach there as it turned out to be an outright disaster. A solid commercially film was the need of the hour. Though 'Padmaavat' (then titled 'Padmavati') was one of the most awaited films of 2017, people wondered how important would be his role in a film that also features Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, two actors whom Sanjay Leela Bhansali had already collaborated in two films earlier. The film got mired in several controversies and could not stick to its original release date and released on January 2018. All speculations were put to rest as those who watched the film conformed that Shahid had a substantial role in the film which demanded to be played by an actor of his calibre.

Ever since Shahid Kapoor made his debut, he has been recognised as someone who has all the trappings of a superstar, an actor who has always been one step away from super-stardom. Despite delivering flops by the dozen and just about a few hits to compensate for them, Shahid managed to stay afloat because of his talent and the unwavering love of his fans. One hopes 'Padmaavat' acts as a good luck charm and the success of the film marks the beginning of a new and a brighter phase in the actor's life.


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