Bollywood is a risky industry where even the most experienced trade and trend analysts fail to give reliable predictions. So, it is natural to sometimes lose track and give poor performances. Many big actors have had rough career patches and their hit comebacks were no less than a miracle! Believe me, these actors really work hard to remain at the top of their games, but still, sometimes their sheer arrogance, ignorance, wrong film choices, and flops give them the taste of rock bottom. No, I am not talking about those failures, but rather, the bounce-back period of these superstars who had almost given up their careers. Check out some of the greatest saving comebacks of actors that you love.
Also Read: 10 Famous Bollywood Actors Who Underwent Drastic Transformation For A Role
1. Sunny Deol in Gadar 2
Sunny Deol’s thundering voice, his ‘dhai kilo ka haath’, and his energetic performances once ruled the Indian box office and his contemporaries were afraid of reaching the heights of success equivalent to his. However, over time, his performances felt repetitive and his acting style went out of trend. And, he made a comeback with his career’s biggest hit— Gadar’s sequel, almost two decades later. To everyone’s pleasant surprise, our lovable hero with his larger-than-life screen presence was back in the game!
2. Shahid Kapoor in Kabir Singh
Shahid Kapoor debuted as a lovable and innocent chocolaty boy who can win anyone’s heart by just giving a cute smile! His dance skills were like cherry on the top. However, his career graph also has many dips and jumps. There was also a period when Shahid had given many flops and forgettable performances. Many Bollywood experts predicted that his career was over. But, our boy said ‘no!’. He gave one of his most powerful performances in ‘Kabir Singh’. And, although, the film got called out for its toxic male masculinity, and misogynist views— Shahid’s performance is appreciable.
3. Siddharth Malhotra in Shershaah
Siddharth Malhotra debuted with ‘Student of the Year’— we all know that! But, after that, he gave some hits and flops. His career did not shape the way many of us expected. Finally, in the year 2019, his movie ‘Shershaah’ came and it became the biggest hit of the year! Sadly, the film had to be released on OTT because of the lockdown. But, still, its dialogues, cinematography, songs, the chemistry between Kiara and Sid, and Sid’s performance stole our hearts.
4. Shah Rukh Khan in Pathan
Actors go through transition periods— from romance king to a patriotic hero, to an action hero— SRK also went through his transformation phases. They have to change and enter new age genres that can suit their age and changing looks. Our King Khan had an experimental phase in which he did many different films like Fan, Zero, and many more to find what his audiences would like. In 2022, after the Covid lockdown was over— his action-packed film ‘Pathan’ gave him the much-needed hit to make a comeback. After giving the biggest hit of the year, his next movie ‘Jawan’ broke the records of ‘Pathan’ and we all were happy for him!
5. Hrithik Roshan in War
Hrithik Roshan began his career with the kind of success that not many actors see even in their whole lifetime! People loved this green-eyed boy with charming looks, great dancing skills, and commendable efforts. He gave multiple hits including Koi Mil Gaya, Krish, and even multi-starrer Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. His career also took a backseat because of his injuries, and many controversies. In recent years, films like Super 30, and War gave his career a second lease of life and our Greek God is now looking even finer than before!
6. Manoj Bajpayee in Rajneeti
Manoj Bajpayee is a versatile actor who never got the recognition he deserved. Only until he landed a chunky role in Prakash Raj’s hit political thriller film ‘Rajneeti’. And, then he acted in the OG film— Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur. After that, this fine actor never looked back. His series ‘Family Man’ has made him a household name now.
7. Salman Khan in Wanted
Salman Khan was the ‘Prem’, the shy, naughty, and ‘sanskaari’ in the initial days of his career. Later on, with his body-baring dances(O O Jane Jana!), chocolaty looks, and light-hearted romance films— he was the biggest star of the industry. It is hard to believe, but the ‘bhai’ of the film industry also once had a bad career phase. His films like Veer, London Dreams, Kyun Ki, and Jaan-E Man among others— all flopped back to back. He finally had a breather when David Dhawan’s movie ‘Partner’ succeeded. But, he only got his superstar image back when his film ‘Wanted’ was released in 2009.
8. Sridevi in English Vinglish
Sridevi is the powerhouse performer. She started her career as a child artist and has acted in 300 films during her lifetime. She was one of the top actresses in Bollywood when she got married and decided to take a break. It was a risky move and many considered it the end of her glorious career. But, in 2012, Sridevi made a comeback with a very inspiring film named ‘English Vinglish’. Only Sridevi can come back with a solo film and that too superhit!
9. Amitabh Bachchan in Mohabbatein
Amitabh Bachchan’s career is one that many envy in the industry. He gave many hits despite going through controversies, upheavals in his personal life, and even getting seriously injured. However, his downfall started when he started a production house and went almost bankrupt. Yes, he got his lost money and fame back with the television show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. But, with the movie ‘Mohabbatein’, he was able to establish his second innings in the Bollywood industry.
10. Kamal Hassan in Vikram
Kamal Hassan is another phenomenal actor whose acting skills cannot be doubted. But, like all other actors, he also went through a lull period when many movies, be it experimental or commercial— all went down the drain. Only, the brilliant film ‘Vikram’ in which he gave an equally brilliant performance— shone at the box office and Kamal Hassan started getting a lot of offers again.
What are your thoughts on these actors’ comebacks? Share any other unexpected yet heartwarming comebacks you loved!