Is this a ‘paid for’ media article? Has to be. For if taken at face value, then apart from Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor and Kartik Aaryan, no other Bollywood actor is likely to make the box office tills ring in 2023. And just why will they dominate? Because their films brought the audiences to theatres in 2022. Their run of luck will continue. They are guaranteed to strike it big this year, too. So it says.

Fair enough. But does that mean the tide isn’t likely to change for Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, and Prabhas all of whom have big releases lined up this year? No trade pundit would take any bet on this. But what’s a media house to say when the ‘client’ spends big money and decides who he wants in his 2023 party list and who he doesn’t! Samjhe, na? Money makes the world go around.

Recommended Read: PeepingMoon Exclusive: CONFIRMED!! Shahid Kapoor to star in Anees Bazmee's next; shooting begins in April 2023

Meanwhile, what has this Alpha Male got against our actresses? Why this gender discrimination? He does not count them among his stars who will make the box office in 2023. Did Alia Bhatt not carry Gangubai Kathiawadi alone on her slender shoulders in 2022? And could any other actress play an action role as seductively as Deepika Padukone promises to in Pathaan? Also, what about Kiara Advani who had the biggest hits of 2021 and 2022?

Thankfully the industry knows where this is coming from. And without any prejudice, everybody will be looking out for Ranveer in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, Akshay in Selfiee, OMG 2 and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan in 2023. Ditto for Prabhas in Adipurush and Project K. And if it’s not too crowded at the box office window, there’s Tiger Shroff, Varun Dhawan and Shahid Kapoor whose 2023 films cannot be discounted. And Sidharth Malhotra, Saif Ali Khan, Vicky Kaushal, John Abraham…