Earning the title of a superstar is not just about talent; it requires immense luck as well. There are three crucial phases every actor must pass through, and only those who navigate them successfully can achieve true stardom.
Phase 1: Gaining Attention
The first step is getting noticed. No matter how small the role, the actor must leave a lasting impression on the audience. For example, Neeraj Madhav gained recognition through Drishyam, even though he had appeared in Memories before. Similarly, Tovino Thomas caught attention with his negative role in ABCD, and Naslen was noticed in Thanneer Mathan Dinangal and Super Sharanya.
Even the legendary Mohanlal gained attention with a negative role in his debut film. Negative roles often attract attention, but they come with a high risk. Supporting roles, on the other hand, are a safer bet.
Phase 2: Winning the Audience’s Love
Once an actor gains recognition, the next challenge is earning the audience’s affection. This is a crucial stage where the actor must establish an emotional connection with viewers.
At this stage, it is risky to take on macho, action-packed, or negative roles. Instead, playing a relatable, fun-loving, neighborhood guy with strong emotional depth is the best approach. Tovino achieved this breakthrough with Ennu Ninte Moideen, where his portrayal of Appu, who deeply loves Kanchanamala, resonated with the audience.
Taking on characters with personality flaws during this period can backfire, as audiences begin to form a personal perception of the actor. Naslen’s big break came with Premalu, and Arjun Ashokan followed a similar trajectory.
Phase 3: Establishing Heroism
After consistently earning audience love, it’s time to showcase heroism. This is the phase where mass appeal truly works. The audience should feel the transformation naturally, making the actor’s mass image feel earned rather than forced.
For instance, Naslen’s upcoming Alappuzha Jinghan is expected to showcase his physical transformation, and this transition is trending. However, if a newcomer tries to make an entry with twice the muscle and exaggerated mass appeal, it might fail to resonate with the audience.
Tovino transitioned into this phase with films like Godha, Guppy, and Ezra, where he played strong and inspiring characters. Mohanlal did the same with Rajavinte Makan, a film that also catapulted Suresh Gopi into the limelight.
One Crucial Rule for All Three Phases
Throughout these phases, an actor must be mindful of their public persona. Their personal opinions, perspectives, and ideologies should either remain private or be presented thoughtfully to maintain a favorable image. Dhyan Sreenivasan, for example, mastered this balance, whereas actors like Prithviraj (in his early days), Priya Varrier, and Parvathy Thiruvothu have faced public backlash for their outspoken views.
A Rare Exception: Hrithik Roshan
While most actors take years to navigate these three phases, Hrithik Roshan managed to complete them all in just one film—his debut Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. The dual role in the movie played a crucial role in this. In the first half, the character Rohit won hearts with his innocent charm and emotional depth. In the second half, Hrithik reappeared as a well-built, action-packed hero, seamlessly transitioning into mass appeal.
While most actors follow a gradual progression, Hrithik’s unique debut proved that under the right circumstances, these three phases can be conquered at once.
This is my observation—do you think this pattern holds true for most superstars?
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