Bollywood's top stars often claim that they're above hits and flops, and that the latter will not affect their fan following or market value.
While that may be the case, there's no denying the fact that all stars need hits to sustain themselves in the long run.
We look at actors who need that elusive hit badly, as they haven't had one in a while:
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena's last success was Ra.One (2011), which was not recognised by most as a clean hit. It was followed by Talaash.
But she's had many releases since, which have not done as well.
Heroine, Satyahgraha and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu were strictly average while Agent Vinod and Gori Tere Pyaar Mein were flops.
Now, Kareena has her eyes on her films with Hrithik Roshan, titled Shuddhi, and Farhan Akhtar, yet-untitled.
Click Next to see more.
Shahid Kapoor
Image: Shahid Kapoor in R.. RajkumarShahid Kapoor's last hit, Vivah was way back in 2006.
Since then, Shahid has had as many as eight flops. Kaminey (2009) was declared a semi-hit.
Shahid recently confessed that he's desperate for a hit film.
With' R... Rajkumar up for release, let's hope luck favours the young actor.
Imran Khan
Image: Imran Khan in Gori Tere Pyaar MeinAfter Imran enjoyed a decent box office run with films like I Hate Luv Storys, Break Ke Baad, Delhi Belly, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, he decided to experiment with films like Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola' and Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai Dobaara.
The result wasn't positive. Even his 'safe' film Gori Tere Pyaar Mein failed.
Currently, he has only one film at hand, to be directed by Vikramaditya Motwane.
Sonakshi Sinha
Image: Sonakshi Sinha in R... RajkumarShe got four Rs 100 crore films to her name -- Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore, Son of Sardaar and Dabangg 2 -- at the very beginning of her career.
However, the law of averages seems to have caught up with Sonakshi, and 2013 has been a real downer for her. Her films Lootera, Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai Dobaara and Bullett Raja have performed disappointedly.
Let's hopes R... Rajkumar puts her back in the reckoning again.
Sunny Deol
Image: Sunny Deol in Singh Saab The GreatHis last hit was Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011).
But Sunny Deol couldn't capitalise on the success due to his back problems and the sequel undid all the good work he had done earlier on.
With his latest release Singh Saab The Great not doing too well either, Sunny -- who is approaching 60 -- has taken the baton in his hand. He will now call the shots as director in Ghayal Returns.
Madhuri Dixit
Image: Madhuri Dixit in Dedh IshqiyaIt isn't as if Madhuri Dixit has delivered a series of flops.
But her last full-fledged film was Aaja Nachle, way back in 2007, and it didn't do as well as expected.
Now, all eyes are on Dedh Ishqiya and Gulaab Gang.
Ajay Devgn
Image: Ajay DevgnPhotographs: Jitu Sawlani
With big power comes big expectations.
Ajay Devgn was delivering Rs 100 crore blockbusters so consistently (Singham, Bol Bachchan, Son of Sardaar) that it seemed he couldn't go wrong.
However, the disastrous response to Himmatwala was followed up with Satyagraha's average run.
Devgn should get his game right with his 2014 action movies, Action Jackson and Singham 2.
Akshay Kumar
Image: Akshay Kumar in BossThe year 2012 was fantastic for Akshay Kumar, and he delivered hits like Housefull 2, Rowdy Rathore, OMG - Oh My God! and Khiladi 786. He had just one flop in Joker.
The next year started well too, with Special 26, but Akshay's last two releases Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai Dobaara and Boss have been flops.
Now, he'd like to change all that with his forthcoming films, Holiday, Its Entertainment and Gabbar.
Rani Mukerji
Image: Rani Mukerji in AiyaaAfter No One Killed Jessica, it had seemed that Rani Mukerji had found a place for herself where all that mattered was playing the right character, instead of playing heroine.
But then she went and did Aiyaa.
Talaash saved the day to an extent but a star like her needs more.
Rani's next release Mardaani, where she plays a cop, could well be such a film.
Emraan Hashmi
Image: Emraan Hashmi in GhanchakkarAfter back-to-back successes like Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai, Murder 2, The Dirty Picture, Jannat 2 and Raaz 3, Emraan was one of the most successful young actors.
But he hasn't had a hit recently. Rush, Ek Thi Daayan and Ghanchakkar have all flopped at the box office.
His upcoming films like Shaatir, Hamaari Adhoori Kahaani, Ungli, White Lies and Mr X should change the trend.
Comment
article