The 90s were a golden era for Bollywood, bringing forth some of the biggest stars we still admire today. While the Khans Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir dominated the screen, there was another actor who left a significant mark with his performance and had a promising career ahead. That actor was Bobby Deol. In the 90s, Bobby Deol’s name was on everyone’s lips, thanks to his stellar performance in the 1998 hit Soldier.
The Success of Soldier
Soldier was the game-changer for Bobby Deol. It was released in 1998, and Abbas-Mustan directed it, starring Bobby along with Preity Zinta, along with Rakhee Gulzar, Johnny Lever, and Suresh Oberoi. It was a super hit at the box office, and it also became a phenomenon. Made on a budget of Rs 8.25 crore, the film went on to earn Rs 38.88 crore, thus turning out to be the second-highest grosser of the year, after Kuch Kuch Hota Hai starring Shah Rukh Khan. The action drama and Bobby’s intense performance as an army officer won hearts, and its chart-topping music by Anu Malik became anthems of the year.
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The Struggles After Soldier
Following the film Soldier, several people expected that Bobby Deol would emerge at least as a huge Bollywood star. However, after repeated attempts, he failed to achieve such success in his career. Films like Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and Ghulam didn’t surpass Soldier. It wasn’t until 2023 that Bobby Deol made a major comeback, this time as a villain in Animal, starring alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, and Rashmika Mandanna. His portrayal in Animal marked his return to prominence, reminding viewers of the true potential Bobby Deol once had.
