Encore competence

Some actors did so well in arole, it's déja vu with every new character they play. Can these 10 talents break free?

- Karishma Kuenzang

1 Ranbir Kapoor in Saawariya (2007).

We met Kapoor as Raj, a Devdas-in-the making. But Raj isn't all good. He pursues a girl who is in love with someone else. He gets mad when she tells him that. Kapoor's delulu-isthe-solulu streak continued. In Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), he plays a f**kboy in the making. In Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) he struggles with rejection. In Tamasha (2015), he plays the blame game. In Animal (2023), he's so sexist, so angry, so far from Raj.

2 Kartik Aaryan in Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011).

Aryan's character Rajat aka Rajjo has a soliloquy that's so misogynistic it's now part of legend. Rajat is like a Honey Singh song come to life. Aryan carries that vibe to the 2015 sequel too. In Pati Patni Aur Woh (2018) he makes it worse, playing a man who can't be honest, control his urges or get for a divorce. Love Aaj Kal 2 in 2020 crowned him King of Toxicity. Ugh.

3 John Krasinski in The Office (2005-2013).

Jim from The Office is what boyfriend goals are made of. What's not to love about a man who isn't a simp but has enough spine to get him out of a dead-end life? He played the fierce protective father in A Quiet Place (2018, 2020). He was an action hero in Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (20182023). He didn't stare into the camera once. How disappointing.

4 Imran Khan in Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na (2008).