Bollywood’s Power Shift: Are Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Kartik Aaryan the New Kings Taking Over from Salman, Aamir & Ajay? You’ll Be Shocked at Who’s Winning the Race!

Bollywood’s Ultimate Power Shift: How Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal & Kartik Aaryan Are Taking Over the Thrones of Salman, Aamir & Ajay

The Bollywood landscape is witnessing a dramatic transformation as young stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Rajkummar Rao, and Kartik Aaryan are smashing box office records, crossing the coveted 500-crore club, while legendary superstars Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Ajay Devgan struggle even to deliver 200-crore hits. Where once actors hesitated to clash with the veterans, today, Kartik Aaryan fearlessly pits his film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 against big-budget releases featuring not one, but three superstar heavyweights—and emerges victorious. In fact, Kartik delivered a knockout to three industry giants simultaneously, leaving the old guard watching in stunned silence.

It’s clear: the dominance of the ’90s superstar batch is waning, and the young generation is rapidly cementing their throne. But what caused this seismic change? What mistakes did the ’90s heroes make that weakened their star power? More importantly, what distinct steps are these young actors taking that make them resonate more with today’s audience?

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Post-Pandemic Stark Reality

The shift accelerated post-pandemic when once unstoppable stars faced stunning setbacks. Bollywood pillars—Salman, Aamir, Akshay, and Ajay—who used to command box office empires, began faltering. Akshay Kumar, for example, who effortlessly churned out hits in pre-pandemic times, suddenly suffered a string of flops with films like Selfiee, Mission Raniganj, and Raksha Bandhan opening to dismal numbers. The scale of these low openings raised red flags about their bankability.

Ajay Devgn’s recent films failed to ignite excitement, and Salman Khan’s Sikander turned into a massive flop, inflicting heavy losses on producers. The cracks were visible: the once unshakable “90s superstars” faced fading appeal, urging filmmakers to rethink their choices.

The Rise of Young Avengers

Meanwhile, fresh faces not only survived but thrived. Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal shattered box office expectations, grossing nearly 900 crores worldwide. Vicky Kaushal’s Chhawa earned 800 crores, proving that new-age stars command massive box office power. Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, despite clashing with the mega-hit Singham Again, raked in close to 400 crores globally, showcasing his rising clout.

These young stars are also changing production game rules. Unlike their predecessors, they collaborate widely—from independent projects to massive franchises—showing flexibility producers highly value. Their dedication is unmatched: whether it’s Vicky’s 25 kg weight gain for Chhawa or Kartik’s 18 kg loss for Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, their commitment elevates their craft and connects deeply with audiences.

What The Old Guard Got Wrong

The ’90s superstars often stuck to a formulaic style—recycling looks, genres, and performances. Followers who once accepted repetition now crave novelty and authenticity. High fees, ego struggles, and limited project choices further isolated them from evolving audience tastes and opportunities. While producers found it risky to cast veteran stars in big-budget ventures, the young generation’s adaptability and eagerness made them more attractive options.

Notably, ego clashes in the older batch prevented fruitful collaborations—infamously between Ajay Devgn and big studios or Salman Khan’s entrenched ‘superstar’ image limiting experimentations. On the other hand, today’s stars show professionalism that producers appreciate, fostering long-lasting partnerships.

The Future Is Clear

While legends like SRK, Salman, and Aamir still enjoy demand and respect, their reign is naturally ceding space to newer talents. The industry’s growth demands fresh faces who can innovate, take risks, and appeal to global and diverse audiences. This inevitable passing of the torch is crucial for Bollywood’s evolution.

Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Kartik Aaryan, Rajkummar Rao, and Ranveer Singh are poised to dominate the next decade. With their versatile talents, modern sensibilities, and box office prowess, they embody Bollywood’s new era. The question no longer is if the young guns will replace the ’90s superstars—it’s how quickly and decisively they will.

So, is Bollywood witnessing the end of an era or merely an exciting new chapter? The answer lies not just in box office numbers, but in the hearts of an audience hungry for fresh storytelling—and these young stars are delivering it like never before.