THEY'VE GOT THE POWER

Bazaar India puts the spotlight on emerging Bollywood talents who've left an indelible mark.

- ADIT GANGULY

The term ‘icon’ evokes images of legendary, celebrated, and prominent individuals— masters of their craft who influence and inspire many. This distinction is not casually bestowed, evident when you delve into the pages of Bazaar India’s ‘Icon’ issue, dedicated to celebrating luminaries across various domains.

In India, two realms hold unparalleled reverence and followership: Bollywood and cricket. Here, luminaries receive accolades for their outstanding work, with their style and demeanour serving as templates for many. Bollywood has consistently produced superstars, from Raj Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan to Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, and Priyanka Chopra, among others.

But what sets them apart and grants them ‘icon’ status? As the saying goes, “We don’t know the name of every star in the sky; we only know the brightest ones.” Regardless of the darkness around, these cinematic stars illuminate our lives. Take Ranveer Singh, for instance, who, after the blockbuster success of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, solidified his position as Bollywood’s reigning box-office star. Since his 2010 debut with Band Baaja Baaraat, he’s amassed a staggering ₹1,925 crores domestically and ₹2,614 crores globally. Singh’s ‘icon’ status isn’t solely due to commercial success; he’s also garnered critical acclaim for roles in films like Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani, where he stars alongside his wife, Deepika Padukone.