These 3 Heroes Debuted In 1991. Two Ruled Bollywood, But One Faded Away

The year 1991 holds a special place in Bollywood history. It was the year when three young actors, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Vivek Mushran, stepped into the film industry almost back-to-back. Each arrived with dreams of stardom, but their journeys turned out strikingly different. While two went on to carve out legendary careers, one quietly faded from the big screen. (News18 Hindi)

Akshay Kumar, who rose from a failed first film to rule the box office for decades; Ajay Devgn, who stormed into stardom with his very first stunt; and Vivek Mushran, who started with a blockbuster but slipped away from the limelight. (News18 Hindi)

The first among them to test his luck was Akshay Kumar. His debut film Saugandh released on 25 January 1991. Directed by Raj N Sippy, the action drama paired him opposite Shantipriya, who was also making her first appearance in Bollywood. But despite the anticipation, the film turned into a box office failure. (News18 Hindi)

For a newcomer, it was hardly an ideal start. Yet, as history shows, this flop did not deter Akshay Kumar. Over the decades, he has reinvented himself across genres – action, comedy, romance, patriotic dramas – and today commands one of the biggest fan bases in the industry. (News18 Hindi)

Months later, on 9 August 1991, Vivek Mushran arrived with Saudagar. Directed by Subhash Ghai, the film featured Manisha Koirala in her debut role and brought two legends, Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar, together on screen. Unlike Akshay Kumar’s start, Vivek’s launch was spectacular. (News18 Hindi)

Saudagar became the third highest-grossing film of that year, turning him into an overnight star. But while the film promised a bright future, the promise did not last. Subsequent films failed to replicate the success, and gradually Vivek shifted his focus to television, appearing in serials and supporting roles rather than leading the big screen. (News18 Hindi)

Then came the storm of Ajay Devgn’s entry. On 22 November 1991, his debut film Phool Aur Kaante hit the screens, introducing audiences to a fresh action hero. The film was a runaway success, remembered most for its iconic stunt of Ajay balancing on two moving motorcycles, a sequence that instantly established him as an action star. (News18 Hindi)

The film’s music too was a chartbuster, cementing his place among the promising newcomers. Over the years, Ajay has evolved into one of the most versatile and enduring stars in Bollywood, balancing intense action roles with meaningful dramas and even comedy, while also earning recognition as a producer and director.