It’s been done throughout cinema history all over the world: many popular stars, long gone from center stage, are popping up again in various film and television roles. Some do huge movies of the same caliber they were used to in their golden days, and some opt for smaller, obscure roles that require them to play a character that is strikingly different and vibrant. Whether they want to prove that they can still hold their stuff against the newer, fresher faces of the industry, or whether they are just nostalgic about the career path that they once dedicated their lives to, stars in Bollywood and Hollywood are coming back for round two, and they find themselves stepping up to the challenge all over again!
One reason for the lull is that some stars that were explosively famous for their distinguished movie roles in the past decades have struggled with the new breed of movie making of the 21st century. They probably remember a day when making movies was much simpler and carefree, or they recognize that it is just as rigorous and demanding, but they are now older and unable to keep up with it. Hollywood stars like Harrison Ford and Sylvester Stalone haven’t enjoyed much success in acting after the box office smashes that were the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Rambo, and Rocky movies. These have become iconic in American and international cinema history and fans of these movies cannot imagine these stars as anyone other than “Indie”, or “Rocky.” If an actor’s most triumphant claim to fame was a mega-successful blockbuster a few decades ago, it will undoubtedly be difficult for them to convince producers and directors that they can play varied, diverse, even modern roles now. However, though some, like Urmila Matondkar, have been continually trying to break out with a refreshing, eye-catching role (again), most actors have voluntarily chosen to take a break!
Younger Bollywood stars that have enjoyed huge successes in the 90’s have chosen to take an indefinite hiatus from movies. Bollywood heavyweights Kajol and Karisma Kapoor have detoured from films and instead, have settled down to get married, start a family, and concentrate wholly on making the most of their lives in that respect. They’ve learned that, as with making films, being successful in their personal lives is arduous, unpredictable and constantly challenging. Though this mission is certainly an ongoing one for actors, these once leading ladies have decided to focus on career again; now stepping into the spotlight to take on roles for the first time in years.
Still, some actors choose to take a break for other reasons. They want to explore their options. They want to break out of the ordinary and experience what else their careers have in store for them. As with Hritik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, who have been laying low for some time now in Bollywood, some actors want to try something innovative. They want to experience new directions in movies, and diverse improvements on their talents. Hritik has been waiting for fresher, more varied roles that will challenge him, and add some spice to his resume! Meanwhile, versatile Aishwarya has been successful in overseas ventures. She has proven that she can butt heads with accomplished artists from all over the world, whether it is Sir Ben Kingsley in The Last Legion (2007), or director Gurinder Chadha in Bride and Prejudice (2004). For these reasons, some of our once favorite actors have been absent from movies in the past years. Rising youngsters like Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Emran Hashmi, and Zayed Khan have replaced them. And though we are content with dazzling hits like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, No Entry, and Zeher, we still look back fondly on the days of Devdas, Biwi No. 1, Dilwale Dulhenia Le Jayenge, and Rangeela!
Nevertheless, these former center stage stars are making a comeback in films. From Mere Jeevan Saathi and Pinjar, to the widely anticipated Fanaa and Dhoom 2. They are proving again that they can still keep up with their peers and the new crop of acting talent. So whether they take a break for 2 years or 5, they realize that they’ve enjoyed radiant success in the past and even though the light of their careers don’t always burn brightly, they come back and prove that it is not yet extinguished!