Sonakshi, Siddharth Malhotra Need Hits

Siddharth Malhotra and Sonakshi Sinha,  the  hero  of this week’s two   socially relevant  comedies are  in urgent need  of a hit.

Siddharth’s last four films as a solo hero Baar Baar Dekho, A Gentleman, Ittefaq and Aiyyary have  been calamitous in varying degrees.And the trade believes Malhotra  has  yet prove himself a  solo-hero material. His only successes  so far Student  Of The year, Ek Villain  ,Kapoor & Sons had other  leading  men to prop up  prospects.

Jabariya Jodi where  Malhotra plays  a Bihari goon,is crucial to  his  career.

Says  the film’s  co-producer Shailesh Singh, “It will  surprise the audience  for sure, as they have not seen SiddharthMalhotra like that before. He has  never played heartland-rooted character.”

Adds veteran journalist Bharathi  S Pradhan, “I found Sidharth refreshingly desi in  the trailer, quite different from his urbane image. Was pleasantly surprised to see him so comfortable in a role so alien to him. So if the film runs, it will be a second innings of stardom for Sid.”

Likewise , Sonakshi Sinha has not had much luck with  the  boxoffice in her recent releases.  Her attempts at playing the hero  in  Akira, Noor and  Happy Phir Bhaag Jayegi have not been specially  a rewarding experience.

 In  her  new release Khaandani  Shafakhana  Sonakshi is cast as a sexologist  . It’s  a role far removed from anything she has done so far. Far bolder and  less  cute than all her  releases .It’s been tongue-in-cheekily being  advertised as  a sex film for  the entire family.This  could either mean that Sonakshi is preserving her pristine image  as  a wholesome  girl nextdoor, the kind who asks about Uncleji’s  health as she passed him  by on her scootie on  the way to work.Or that she is consciously working to change her image.

Her  proud father Shatrughan Sinha completely  approves  of his daughter’s choices.  “When Sonakshi  first announced her decision to join films my only  precondition was that she must not do anything undignified.And she has  kept her word. I am proud of every role she has done  from Rowdy Rathod to Khaandani  Shafakhana.”

But  Khandaani Shafakhana  has opened  to abysmal  collections , thereby proving once and for all that Sonakshicannot carry a film on her shoulder.

The comedy genre  got  a terrible  drubbing last Friday when Diljit Dosanjh’s  Arjun Patiala sank without a trace.

Opines trade analyst Girish Johar,  “According  to  me Jabariya Jodi and  Khaandani Shafakhana  cannot be  can’t be termed as  Siddharth Malhotra and  Sonakshi Sinha’s comeback. I’d say, they are re-inventing themselves. These days actors take time in deciding the right script which they feel justifies their talent, offers something new for them. Which they also feel will be something new for their   fans and audiences. Both are a  different kind of comedy. ForSonakshi taking the route of a light comedy using a taboo topic is got her the eyeballs. For Siddharth doing a massyand rustic character provides a completely different take from what he has done in the past.”

Trade insider Atul Mohan has  the   last word: “These are two  young talents yet to get their dues. Both movies are looking fresh in content and this is what  the audience wants today.”

However with Khandaani Shafakhana  doing miserable business and thereby braking Sonakshi’s career even further it remains to be seen what Jabariya  Jodi does for  Siddharth Malhotra.