Joginder Tuteja in Mumbai
Since his debut in 2007, Ranbir Kapoor has seen more ups than downs in his career. And even though his choice of films have been very good, he really should be allowed that one bad film once in a while.
Like Besharam.
We look back at his films and his career, and look at the box office successes and failures that he's enjoyed.
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Saawariya
Box Office verdict: Flop
Collections: 22 crores
This was a stuff that dream debuts are made of.
But as it happened, the film turned out to be a very bad dream, what with the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-helmed movie facing a total washout at the box office.
The critical acclaim was missing too.
The only silver lining was Ranbir being accepted as the 'Next Best Thing'.
Bachna Ae Haseeno
Box office verdict: Semi hit
Collections: 36 crores
After a surreal world created in Saawariya, it was time to play safe with a romcom set in a Yash Raj template.
Director Siddharth Anand directed the young actor, and his heroines -- Deepika Padukone, Bipasha Basu and Minissha Lamba.
A semi hit, it proved to be a shot in the arm for the youngster.
Wake Up Sid
Box Office verdict: Semi hit
Collections: 28 crores
Just when one thought that Ranbir would be consolidating his place in Bollywood as a young heartthrob in a commercial set-up, he paired up with Konkona Sen Sharma in an offbeat affair called Wake Up Sid.
A realistic affair, it was a departure from the kind of films that were usually backed by Karan Johar.
Director Ayan Mukherji's conviction paid though and the film proved to be a success.
Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani
Box Office verdict: Superhit
Collections: 63 crores
With Ranbir's career graph soaring, his much delayed Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani released at just the right time.
Pairing up with Katrina Kaif for the first time, Ranbir let himself loose in this romantic affair, which had some great comedy.
Audiences accepted the film with open arms and director Rajkumar Santoshi found a major hit under his belt as well.
At that time, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani was Ranbir Kapoor's biggest money-spinner.
Rocket Singh - Salesman of the Year
Box office verdict: Below average
Collections: 20 crores
Soon after Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani, Ranbir suffered a major blow with Rocket Singh - Salesman of the Year that just about managed to cover costs.
Though considered as a 'must watch' film today, at the time of it's release one of the major reasons behind it's poor reception was inadequate publicity and marketing.
An offbeat film, it didn't even come close to the Wake Up Sid business.
Raajneeti
Box Office verdict: Superhit
Collections: 93 crores
Despite being in a film full of heavyweights like Nana Patekar, Ajay Devgn, Arjun Rampal and Manoj Bajpayee, Ranbir remained the central protagonist.
Ranbir grabbed the opportunity and once the multistarrer emerged as a superhit, the crown of the Most Promising Young Actor was firmly placed on his head.
Anjaana Anjaani
Box Office verdict: Average
Collections: 40 crores
In the midst of this all, Ranbir returned with his Bachna Ae Haseeno director Siddharth Anand for Anjaana Anjaani.
The film took a very good opening at the box office and though the reviews that came it way were mixed, Ranbir continued his winning streak from the box office perspective.
The film was an average affair commercially.
Rockstar
Box Office verdict: Semi hit
Collections: 68 crores
There was a lot riding on Rockstar, even though director Imtiaz Ali would have felt the pressure as well, after scoring hits in Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal.
The songs were hugely successful, Sadda Haq becoming an anthem of sorts.
It's no wonder that the film took the best ever start for a Ranbir Kapoor film.
However, it couldn't sustain itself the way those associated with the film would have liked. Still, it won Ranbir some appreciation and turned out to be a semi hit.
Barfi!
Box Office verdict: Superhit
Collections: 110 crores
Continuing to juggle between hardcore commercial and offbeat but saleable cinema, Ranbir chose Barfi! next.
The Anurag Basu directed affair took quite some time to be made.
However, the wait was worth it as the film found some critical acclaim, charges of plagiarism notwithstanding.
After a decent start at the box office, Barfi! stayed very stable and was Ranbir's first film in the Rs 100 crore club.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Box Office verdict: Blockbuster
Collections: 190 crores
After Wake Up Sid, Ayan Mukerji wanted to make a much more commercially accessible film.
As a result, the trio of Ayan, Ranbir and Karan Johar came together for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which was designed as a film that would cut across all segments of audience.
The film took a bumper start at the box office, and continued from strength to strength.
Besharam
Box Office verdict: Flop
Collections: 60 crores
Besharam was designed to be a blockbuster affair.
However, cracks were visible at the very inception stage, what with studios being apprehensive due to high costs involved.
Once Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani turned out to be a blockbuster, Ranbir and Dabangg director Abhinav Kashyap were supremely confident of Besharam.
Audiences thought otherwise and called it Ranbir's worst career decision.
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