Why YRF prefers Ranbir over Shahrukh?

It is not too often that Shahrukh Khan is edged out by someone in the tinsel town. After delivering blockbusters such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Mohabbatein and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi with Yash Raj Films, Shahrukh no longer seems to be their blue eyed boy. Ranbir Kapoor seems to have become YRF's favourite kid with having already done Bachna Ae Haseeno and the upcoming Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year.

Recently it was reported all over the media how Aditya Chopra had decided to cast Ranbir Kapoor in a romantic movie after Shahrukh Khan was unable to give him dates for the next two years. Aditya did not see any smart business move waiting for two more years to get SRK. It may defy logic as to why Adi preferred Ranbir over Shahrukh after all Adi-SRK jodi had given Bollywood movies like DDLJ, Mohabbatein and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in the last two decades.

What many people do not realise is Shahrukh is slowly moving towards the wrong side of 40 and it is only a mater of time before Shahrukh the solo hero will reach a saturation point. The industry and the audience is quite ruthless and unforgiving when it comes to over-aged heroes as we have seen in the past when superstar Amitabh Bachchan was rejected in movies like Lal Baadhah and Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan.

Amitabh reincarnated himself with movie like Mohabbatein and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham but can do limited genres. Subjects like solo romantic hero are out of question for Big B. Shahrukh may not fade out like the Rajesh Khannas and the Shatrughan Sinhas but will need to reincarnate himself like Big B in completely different roles which cannot be related to Bollywood's ultimate romantic hero at this point of time.

Aditya Chopra also understands that fact the romance has been the backbone of Yash Raj Films and it might be one genre a solo Shahrukh won't be able to do with his age. At 43 Shahrukh isn't getting any younger and a day will come when he won't be able to do his trademark 'Raj and Rahul' roles. Aditya has perhaps got this fact right before most people in the industry.

In Ranbir YRF sees an able if not better replacement to Shahrukh Khan. The Kapoor scion commands more brand value than any of his contemporary stars coming from the first family of Bollywood. Also that fact that he has a huge fan following among the fairer sex like SRK made Aditya realise he could be YRF's next man. Aditya Chopra in a subtle manner seems to have announced who the next big romantic hero in the industry would be.