IT’S THE SEASON OF DOUBLE DELIGHT AS YOUNGER STARS JOIN THEIR SENIORS WOMEN AT WORK

Ihave always been his fan, and he has always treated me like a younger brother.” That’s how Ranbir Kapoor explains his equation with Sanjay Dutt. A number of other younger actors, including Varun Dhawan, feel the same way about Dutt. Interestingly, not many may have noticed that the senior actor happens to be a common connect between Ranbir and Varun, as Dutt is set to work with them in Shamshera and Kalank, respectively.

More actors have either recently worked with or are about to start work on a film costarring a hero who’s their senior. Aamir Khan will be seen with Amitabh Bachchan — whom he calls his “icon” — for the first time in their next, Thugs of Hindostan. “I’m too thrilled to be working with the actor I’ve admired all my life,” says Aamir. On teaming up with Ranbir, Dutt says, “When I heard Karan’s (Malhotra, director) idea to pit Ranbir against me, I thought it was just brilliant.” Recently, Varun and Shah Rukh Khan worked together in Dilwale, while Sidharth Malhotra shared screen space with Akshay Kumar in Brothers.

Experts feel that Not just male stars, the coming days will also see Al Bhatt and Sonakshi Sinha teaming up with Madhuri Dixit-Nene in Kalank, while Sonam Kapoor Ahuja shares screen space with Juhi Chawla in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. “She is beautiful and made things [so] comfortable and normal,” says Alia, about such combinations “have always excited” viewers. “With such setups, you automatically tap into a bigger fan base. Also, for audiences, it become more of a paisa-vasool film. The interest levels and excitement of filmgoers go up. But these casting coups must be backed up with a solid script,” says exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi.

Actors, on their part, feel it’s a “great learning process” for them. “Until you work with other people, how will you grow as an artist? That’s very important. So, things are exciting for me as well. Plus, if I am a movie-goer, and I see a hero in four films in one year, I will get bored. In Dishoom, I worked with a bona fide action star such as John Abraham, so I learnt a lot,” says Varun.

In recent years, films such as Raajneeti (Ajay and Ranbir), Rangoon (Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor), Baadshaho (Aj D gn and Emraan

hmi), and the Onc her initial working experience with Madhuri. Sonakshi says “Madhuriji has been one of my Upon A Time In Mumbai series (Ajay-Emraan and Akshay-Imran Khan) saw younger actors teaming up with their seniors. “It’s a feast for audiences to see two or more big actors in one film. Multiple actors increase the credibility and sheer strength of a film,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Filmmakers swear by the fact that they cast actors “as per the script’s demand”. As Malhotra puts it, “In my film, Shamshera (Ranbir) is a ferocious, fearless character. So, his nemesis (Dutt) had to be even more fierce and monumental. Who better than Sanjay sir for that impact?” favourite actresses; to be in the same frame with her is an honour.”

Alia Bhatt (left) is acting with Madhuri DixitNene in a film Sidharth Malhotra has worked in a film with Akshay Kumar (right) Juhi Chawla and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja (below) are now costars Ranbir Kapoor is working with Ajay Devgn (top) and Sanjay Dutt (right) Sanjay Dutt has been paired with Varun Dhawan (right) Amitabh Bachchan has teamed up with Aamir Khan (right) for the first time