Is Ranbir the new money spinner at the BO?

New Delhi: The business of 'Rockstar' has picked up and the film has grossed around Rs 40 crore on its first weekend. As per the renowned trade analyst Taran Adarsh, 'Rockstar' gathered Rs 10.6 crore, Rs 11 crore, Rs 12 crore and Rs 5.5 crore on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday respectively which makes the total earning of the film Rs 39.1 crore.

Made at a budget of Rs 60 crore, the film needs to continue the good show for some more days in order to recover the cost amount.

However, there are ample reasons to believe that the film will finally end up in churning profits as satellite and music rights comprise a big part of the film's business nowadays.

Ranbir's track record at the box office forms the basis of speculations about the film's good business. The actor had arrived with a bang in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Saawariya' and won the Filmfare award for best male debut but the film bombed at the ticket window.

'Bachna Ae Haseeno' started Ranbir's love story with the box office. The film collected Rs 21 crore in the first week and recovered the complete cost within 14 days of its release before ending up as a moderately successful film.

The makers of 'Wake Up Sid' were proved right when the film opened to packed halls in India and overseas. 'Wake Up Sid' topped the charts for at least three weeks with more than Rs 42 crors income sans the money generated through various rights.

Till this point, Ranbir had become quite a favourite of the producers. His fourth film 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' grossed close to Rs 100 crore. Only '3 Idiots' and 'Love Aaj Kal' did better business than this Ranbir-Katrina starrer.

'Rocket Singh-Salesman of the Year' was fifth consecutive film with Ranbir in the solo lead. The film did not meet humungous success as Ranbir's earlier films and became a victim of great expectations; still it managed to emerge as a moderate success.

All these things were happening at a time when other actors of Ranbir's age were busy in consolidating their stereotyped image of flamboyant lover boys.

'Rajneeti' was Kapoor's first multi starrer. He was not only noticed but was also the prime reason behind film’s success in multiplexes.

Kapoor was constantly experimenting with his roles without being worried about existing norms.

'Anjaana Anjaani' failed to capitalize the colourful promotional drive and proved a dead weight but the net revenue suggests that the film faired better than many of the contemporary releases.

On the other hand, Imran Khan and Shahid Kapoor with all their boyish charm have failed to excel as a solo hero in films such as 'Kidnap', 'I Hate Luv Storys', 'Dil Bole Hadippa' and 'Mausam'.

The Kapoor scion has still not touched 30 but the experts have started to see him as the next big thing of the Hindi film industry.

Besides this box office testimony, 'Rockstar' is one such film which has got strong support from the urban youth via social networking sites and other mediums. The word of mouth publicity has gone in favour of Imtiaz Ali's film. Probably the rebel appearance of Ranbir has appealed to the younger generation.

Previous films of Imtiaz Ali have worked well at the commercial level. His first film 'Socha Na Tha' was appreciated for its fresh outlook and less melodramatic sequences. Similarly, 'Jab We Met' and 'Love Aaj Kal' touched the hearts of modern generation. The image of Imtiaz Ali as the filmmaker with a different take on love has also helped the film despite mixed reviews.

Celebrity tweets have ensured more eyeballs for the film. Anurag Kashyap and Shabana Azmi are among those who have praised the film openly on the micro blogging site twitter. Kashap wrote,"Rockstar is easily Imtiaz Ali's best. This is how a love story should be told. Soul stirring . Still assimilating."

Kashyap further tweeted,"Such an unexpected film.. does not take any easy route.. does not become a clap trap or a crowd pleaser.. It's just so heartfelt."

Such comments inspired the people to watch the film simply because they were coming from industry insiders and not from any high brow reviewer.

Shaban Azmi's tweet said,"Imtiaz Ali's writing in 'Rockstar' is surprising and unpredictable. Tugged at my heartstrings...Hindi cinema is finally coming of age..wow."

Azmi also praised Ranbir by saying,"Ranbir's performance in 'Rockstar' is totally original he inhabits Jordan's complex world and infuses it with childlike honesty that's believable."

The generation exposed to the cyber world decided to check out the facts after such comments.

One thing that was common in all the reviews was the admiration and acceptance of Ranbir as one of the finest actors of the next generation.

People had started hoping for a power pact performance from Ranbir after the initial teasers of 'Rockstar' and thus expectations were high but the actor made the role look natural in spite of the complexities involved.

Kapoor has emerged as an actor who can claim the superstardom in future. Ranbir's performance has suddenly alienated him from the average actors of his generation.

A couple of acclaimed films and Ranbir will be a direct threat to Hrithik Roshan who holds the number one spot among second rung actors.

'Rockstar' has definitely changed the scenario for Ranbir Kapoor and it would not be surprising if he emerges as the most dependable actors at the box office in the near future.