The journey is never a straight line and even the biggest stars hit crossroads that test their choices and resilience.
According to Sumit Kadel, Varun Dhawan's journey in Bollywood is a perfect example of this ebb and flow.
From his debut, Varun was a bankable star, delivering hit after hit-Main Tera Hero, Badlapur, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, ABCD 2, Badrinath Ki Dulhania.
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His films were consistently doing well at the box office and Judwaa 2 in 2017 was the last of his big commercial successes.
But the shift started with October, a film that while critically appreciated, was a departure from his commercial formula and didn't do well at the box office.
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The subsequent films were mixed to poor, with only occasional average ones like Sui Dhaaga and Jugjugg Jeeyo.
The recent failure of Baby John has highlighted the fragile phase Varun is in, with his last big hit being several years ago.
As he turns 40, the next two to three films-Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari and a new David Dhawan comedy-are crucial.
If these don't work, his solo lead status could be at risk and this is a make or break period for him.