The lines were clearly drawn between Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan, during 2007 to 2009. The years saw a drop in Imran’s stakes with some dismal choices and insipid acting at his end, whereas Ranbir experienced a boom in his career.
So phenomenal has been his rise that he has been proclaimed as the next big thing after the Khans in the Indian film fraternity. His impressive track-record of blockbusters and his effortless performances in movies like Rockstar, Barfi! and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, made him one of the most sought after actors at the box-office. He has given several back-to-back hits and only one super-flop Besharam in 2013. But Ranbir now faces competition in the form of actor Ranveer Singh, who came from nowhere and is now set to lock horns with him, as the most sought after Bollywod box-office hero. Ranveer has only emerged stronger with every film, which includes Lootera, and blockbusters like Goliyon ki Raasleela Ram Leela and Gunday, which has went on to do great. From competing for big banner films, projects with the best filmmakers and even the gorgeous Deepika Padukone, Ranbir and Ranveer have had plenty of reasons to be at loggerheads. With Ranbir’s former girlfriend Deepika currently dating Ranveer, the two young actors have been known to take pot shots at each other when the opportunity arises.
Recently, Ranveer was quizzed whether he’d invest in a sports team. Ranbir has recently bought a football team in the Indian Super League (while superstars Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan are known for their involvement in the Indian Premier League and the Celebrity Cricket League, respectively).
However, it seems that Ranveer didn’t take too kindly to the comparison. The actor was overheard saying that he isn’t as rich as Ranbir. “Ranbir comes from a family of actors and filmmakers. He can afford to produce films and buy football teams. Other actors have just started out, it’s unfair to expect them to match another actor’s standards,” revealed a source close to Ranveer, reported the Deccan Chronicle. Around the time Ranveer made his debut, there were rumours that his father had invested money in the film Band Baaja Baraat.
Similarities
• Similar sounding first-names
• Deepika Padukone: Once Ranbir’s girlfriend is now dating Ranveer.
• Both have a lean-body type and are naturally flamboyant
• Both are known to be easy-going and level-headed
• Ranbir won the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award for his movie Saawariya in 2008, while Ranveer Singh achieved won the same award for his debut in Band Baaja Baarat in 2011.
Differences
• Ranbir is restrained and Ranveer is spontaneous.
• Ranbir tends to be methodical and Ranveer is more impulsive
• Ranbir is more like Aamir Khan while Ranveer like SRK.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2014.
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