With his latest release ‘Shaandaar’ biting the dust, Shahid Kapoor is now being called the industry’s most talented under-achiever. Given the fact that he has everything it takes to make it big as a popular Bollywood actor, box office failure has been Shahid’s constant companion throughout his 13 year old career.
Back in 2003, when Shahid made his debut in Ishq Vishq, Hrithik Roshan was going through the worst phase of his career. His much-awaited film ‘Maine Prem Ki Deewani Hoon’ tanked at the box office and ‘Ishq Vishq’ was moderately success. More than the success of ‘Ishq Vishq’, the industry took notice of a young Shahid who had ‘chocolate boy’ looks and also danced like a dream.
Hrithik was written off and Shahid, along with the likes of Vivek Oberoi and a few others, were expected to be the future stars of the industry.
Since then, almost every top banner in the industry has invested on Shahid Kapoor, but the actor, time and again, has promised a lot, but failed to deliver.
Apart from Vivah, none of his films have gone on to be money-spinners at the box office. Even Vivah did not open well, but picked up because of excellent word-of-mouth publicity. The credit for which belongs more to a certain Sooraj R Barjatya, than Shahid.
Jab We Met too relied on word-of-mouth and Kareena walked away with all the accolades. R.. Rajkumar was probably the only Shahid film that took a ‘better than expected’ start at the box office, but even that film, along with Haider, just about managed to break even.
With R.. Rajkumar and Haider performing fairly well, expectations from Shaandaar were high. Marriage, some said, would turn the fortunes around for Shahid. Unfortunately, Shaandaar is likely to go on to be the biggest disappointment of his career so far.
His next two films, Abhishek Chaubey’s Udta Punjab and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Rangoon, are likely to be off-beat films.
So the big question is, where does Shahid go from here? Is this the beginning of the end or can he turn things around? With top banners like Yash Raj Films and Dharma Productions suffering heavy losses from Shahid Kapoor starrers, will other banners / producers invest money on his ‘commercial’ films?
Check out the box office verdicts of Shahid Kapoor films. For an actor who made his debut in 2003, an average of Rs 25 crore per film is dismal to say the least. Hrithik, who made his debut 3 years before Shahid, averages Rs 60 crore per film release. And Ranbir Kapoor, who made his debut 4 years after Shahid, has an average of Rs 63 crore per film.
| Movie | Release Date | Collections | Verdict |
| Ishq Vishk | 9 May 2003 | 7.8 | Average |
| Fida | 20 Aug 2004 | 9.6 | Flop |
| Dil Maange More | 31 Dec 2004 | 5.5 | Flop |
| Deewane Huye Paagal | 25 Nov 2005 | 15.1 | Flop |
| Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! | 23 Dec 2005 | 5.8 | Flop |
| Shikhar | 30 Dec 2005 | 6.7 | Flop |
| 36 China Town | 5 May 2006 | 23.1 | Semi Hit |
| Chup Chup Ke | 9 Jun 2006 | 13.8 | Average |
| Vivah | 10 Nov 2006 | 32.8 | Blockbuster |
| Fool N Final | 1 Jun 2007 | 17.8 | Flop |
| Jab We Met | 26 Oct 2007 | 32.5 | Hit |
| Kismat Konnection | 18 Jul 2008 | 23.7 | Flop |
| Kaminey | 14 Aug 2009 | 43.1 | Semi Hit |
| Dil Bole Hadippa | 18 Sep 2009 | 24.2 | Flop |
| Chance Pe Dance | 15 Jan 10 | 9.7 | Flop |
| Paathshaala | 16 Apr 2010 | 11.2 | Flop |
| Badmaash Company | 7 May 2010 | 36 | Average |
| Milenge Milenge | 9 Jul 2010 | 7.1 | Flop |
| Mausam | 23 Sep 2011 | 33 | Flop |
| Teri Meri Kahaani | 22 Jun 2012 | 30 | Flop |
| Phata Poster Nikhla Hero | 20 Sep 2013 | 39 | Flop |
| R Rajkumar | 6 Dec 2013 | 67 | Hit |
| Haider | 2 Oct 2014 | 52 | Average |
| Shaandaar | 22 Oct 2015 | 43 | Flop |
| Udta Punjab | 17 Jun 2016 | 60 | Average |
| Rangoon | 24 Feb 2017 | 21 | Disaster |
| 26 Movies | 14 Years | 670.5 crore | Avg 25.8 cr per film |
I believe he gets what he deserves! I personally don’t like him! his attitude is disgusting but that doesn’t mean he is a bad actor or bad person! its just my ppint of view!
Hi indicine can you provide the same graph for akshay kumar?
@Rajesh sorry for hurting ur sentiments bt i was forced to write in a harsh tone abt sahid by haters of arjun who nvr gv credit to arjun for his success and compare him with sahid who with due respect hasn’t achieved wat arjun has in just 3yrs
Its simple. Shahid failure could be attributed simply due to the fact that he has no worth mentioning male fan following in real. Unless there come an exceptional work like Haider from him – no guy has his movies in must watch list. And lets be honest R Rajkumar – sucked. It was just that phase where masala movies were appealing and Prabhudeva’s good will from Rowdy Rathore along with some massy music number that saw that movie through. His strength is playing boy next door which he played in Vivaah and Jab We Met and in my opinion he should stick to that unless he has some brilliant role like that of haider or kaminey. Because other wise whenever he tries to play cool and suave or in your face or any other kind of role in his preferred rom com genre he comes off as pretentious and someone who is trying too hard. His fan may like that but for general public its just too off putting.
Its disappointing to see a better actor than the likes of ranbir and arjun n ranveer not getting wat he deserves. Varun seems much like him but he has got a ptetty gud start!! Still velieve he can survive atleast, he should!
Some ppl r saying arjun has earned so much respect in 3 yrs! My foot man! My foot! Nly 2 states was hit dat too nly because of chetan bhagats blockbuster book! Gunday was hit because of d star cast! His career will be over by next 1 or 2 years! He became very fat now n ny1 nt intrestd to see him!
@Octane sorry to say but you can’t count ajay as superstar. He has rarely given a solo blockbuster and even though I have huge respect for him as an actor but to be practical he can not be considered a superstar. Akshay was a superstar few years ago but now a days he also lacks the crowd pull. No matter how much I hate srk, but truth has to be spoken that only 3 khans and hrithik are superstars.
Cant believe indicine wrote such an article!
If the producers are still investing in him why are websites like @indicine portraying themselves as guardians of ‘trade’
Box-office is not the only criteria for success. Varun dhawan (perhaps the mpst overrated non-actor of his generation) has managed to give back-to-back hits because of his calculated choices. Except Badlapur, none of his films are even worth watching on tv.
Shahid knows how to act. He will sustain in bollywood. At least shahid’s father comes from a modest background (acclaimed but not a big family) unlike varun dhwan and arjun kapoor.
Shahid kapoor is ended..
As same as Abishek bachan..
He should learn from Retish deshmukh to stay on bollywood with his own power.
@ajinkya,the biggest problem with you is you’re affected from mental disease.because your comments always seems like that.at least Shahid has got much better face than your joker Kumar,and he is the best handsome of his generation,so don’t be kidding.and let your akki to do a performance oriented role and to become best actor of at least one year if he really can,so before pointing your finger towards Shahid think well.I can only support you at that time when you’re remaining against talentless arjun kapoor,ranveer Singh,sidharth malhotra like non actors papa’ boys.
@babaji ka thullu,are you kidding?????rdb 1st offered to shahid,if it’s true I havepity on perfaketionist that he couldn’t get attention of any best director through his hard work,such a loser of the induastry is called today as perfaketionist,but he managed well of becoming half actor through out the career which helped him a lot ,ROFL.
@Challa,I felt Chupke Chup Ke is a well balanced film in both the half.so exclaimed a bit after reading your comments,anyways it’s depends upon individual’s point of view.and I liked Priyadarshn’s every movie with shahid or with out shahid while Dewane huye paagal, paathsaala are SHAHID’S one.nice movies.
@arjun joker ka fan,really are you kidding?????really peoples cares about arjun kapoor?????don’t tell this joke even in your home as after said it there you’ll be beaten even in your home too forget outside and I’m also seeing your chamchagiri towards monkeyveer Singh,control it as soon as possible as you can,otherwise you’ll see another @ajinkya.
I really don’t care what people thought about Shahid.there is always certain thinks lies above Box Office,that’s Audience’s love which can’t be finished.Shahid will always get that irrespective of his chosen movies.for me he is a all rounder superstar as an Great Actor with Great looks,Great dancer and probably everything and his comedy too is great,he is a complete package I can say I.
For me there are non superstars are—-ajay devgan,arjun,ranveer,sidharth.and I couldn’t understand what these talentless papa’s boy are doing in this industry,such a pathetic choices of peoples.
i really respect shahid kapoor. and now he is working with great directors and i hope he will earn success in the upcoming carrer
eagerly awaiting vishal bhardwaj and shahid kapoor film
Anyways he is good and will bounce back
its people who come up with bad films should be kicked and not actors
His first major mistake was that he started of with mushy ROMCOMS,which resulted in him not being considered as a serious contender for stardom.But he’s actually a really good actor, who needs that one superhit to make a comeback.All the best Shahid!
@ Rajesh nice comment Shahid kapoor sticking the poster on wall of Ishq Wishq film before release . It’s really difficult to newcomers to get films without godfather it’s really difficult , we have two examples how they struggle in Bollywood Akshay Kumar & Shahrukh Khan . Shahid will come back strongly with the film all the best for upcoming filfilm .
He is next Saif Ali khan of Bollywood..!
He is the new Akshay Kumar always gives flop
shahid kapoor is a good actor but as he do the film like shandaar he will soon lose his career. isn’t it.
what Hrithik can do not possible for everybody. wish shahid a good luck for coming movies
@Challa thanks bro @bad boy agree with u bro completely and yeah bro he sticked his own poster on the wall for his first movie
@indicine before Hum Tum Saif was not consider as a Solo Hero or bankable star. Before Hum Tum his most movies were Multi starer. Before Hum Tum his career graph was worst. And after coming attractive new generation Saif craze is went over again. So if Saif can make an impact after 14 years in 2004 then why not Shahid. As Shahid is far far better then Saif either its Acting, Dancing or personality. Shahid proves many time as a Solo Hero his worth. But the problem is his choice of script and mainly his Badluck. other wise Phata Poster Nikla Hero, Mausam, Shaandaar are way better then many other successful films. I hope his good days will come soon.