Aditya Roy Kapur's birthday: Tracing his journey from a supporting role in London Dreams to starring in Malang

Aditya Roy Kapur is one of the most popular stars in the Hindi film industry. The heartthrob enjoys a strong fan following because of his charming screen presence and sincere performances. He has worked with some of Bollywood¡¯s biggest names and proved that he is a force to reckon with. On Saturday (November 16), as the Aashiqui 2 star turns 39, here is a look at his Bollywood journey.

The initial years

Aditya began his Bollywood career with a supporting role in London Dreams (2009). The film had the potential to be a good launchpad for him as it saw him act alongside Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn. Sadly, the musical sank without a trace and failed to impress critics. Aditya subsequently appeared in Action Replayy and Guzaarish, garnering attention with his sincere performances. However, he did not benefit much from these releases as they bombed at the box office.

Rise to fame with Aashiqui 2

Aditya eventually got his big breakthrough with Aashiqui 2 (2013). The musical romantic drama revolved around the turbulent relationship between Rahul (Aditya), a fading singer, and Aarohi (Shraddha Kapoor), his protege. Aashiqui 2 emerged as a blockbuster and received rave reviews. Aditya internalised the character¡¯s inner turmoil with effortless ease and delivered an intense performance that resonated with the youth.

His chemistry with Shraddha also proved to be a major highlight of Aashiqui 2. All in all, the film played a major role in making him an overnight sensation.

The same year, he was seen alongside Ranbir Kapoor in the romantic-comedy Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Adi held his own against the likes of Ranbir and Deepika in the romantic comedy, which added to his popularity among the youth.

Dealing with career setbacks

Aditya then tried to further establish himself as a romantic hero with Daawat-e-Ishq and the intense drama Fitoor. Daawat-e-Ishq , which starred Parineeti Chopra as the leading lady, received favourable reviews with critics lauding Adi¡¯s earnest portrayal of a Lucknow lad. His comic timing and chemistry with ¡®Pari¡¯ also impressed the audience. Similarly, Fitoor gave him a chance to sink his teeth into an intense character, something he did quite well. Unfortunately, both films underperformed at the box office.

Aditya tried to score a much-needed hit with OK Jaanu, which marked his second collaboration with Shraddha Kapoor. The film, a remake of OK Kanmani, explored issues such as marriage and live-in relationships and catered to an urban audience. Aditya did complete justice to his role and impressed fans with his effortless performance. Despite this, OK Jaanu did not do too well at the box office.

Experimenting with his image

Aditya eventually decided to experiment with his image when he starred in Kalank (2019), a period drama with an ensemble cast. The film, shot on a budget of Rs 130 crore, was an intense affair that explored the complex dynamics between its protagonists. Aditya delivered a restrained performance in the film and held his own against the likes of Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan. Despite this, Kalank ended up being a forgettable release for him as it bombed at the box office.

Tasting success again and the road ahead

It was eventually Malang (2020) that helped Aditya taste commercial success again. He looked stylish and complemented the equally glamorous Disha Patani in the thriller, adding a new layer to the narrative. Malang, with its dark twists, was a step in a new direction for Aditya. It received critical acclaim and did reasonably well at the box office.

Aditya was then seen in the direct-to-OTT action-thriller Sadak 2 (2020). The film, however, proved to be a step in the wrong direction for him as the plot did not give him ample scope to perform. He made up for this by delivering a standout performance in Ludo. Following this, he was seen in Rashtra Kavach Om (2022) and Gumraah (2023). Sadly, both films flopped at the box office despite his sincere performance.

He will next be seen in Metro In Dino. The film, a follow up to Life in a Metro (2007), revolves around relationships and friendships. Given the setting, it is likely to appeal to the urban audience.