Bollywood stars are desperately seeking a hit!

As far as money is concerned, it’s been a bumper year for Bollywood. But while the BO saw many laugh their way to the bank, it also saw several expected-to-do-well films fail miserably inspite of star power.

Needless to say, the stars aren’t kicked about the ‘flop’ tag either. Not surprisingly, the next two months of the last quarter of 2010 are extremely high on expectations as silent prayers are being murmured by the stars to give them a hit and ‘deliver them from flops’.

And all hopes are now riveted on their next releases to end the year on a hit note.

So, while Abhishek Bachchan’s keeping his fingers crossed for Kheley Hum Jee Jaan Sey after Ravan’s not-so-happening BO status, wife Aishwarya’s hoping that her next film with her favourite film director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali will repeat the success of Robot to wash over the average collections of Action Replayy.

The Bhansali film is  also important for Hrithik Roshan who began the year with a flop Kites and is hoping to soar again in his next. Akshay Kumar too is hoping for another Housefull-kind of success after his recent one failed to do so.

His Housefull co-star Deepika Padukone too is  hoping that her pairing with actor Imran Khan will work for her after film Lagangey Parindey nearly tanked at the box-office. She’ll also be seen with Akshay in Kheley…. Her co-star Imran Khan too is counting on the fresh pairing with actor Deepika Padukone as his last I Hate Luv Storys failed to romance the BO money. Even Sanjay Dutt is hoping for No Problem to work after Knock Out was knocked off the BO rather unceremoniously.

Trade pundits too agree that it’s a crucial two-month for them. However, trade analyst Komal Nahta feels that for some stars there’s no direct make-or-break situation.

“Actors like Akshay, Aishwarya and Hrithik are way beyond the hits and flop status. Their star power or status will remain undented by their films business. Also Ash and Akshay have had superhits too this year,” he says.

As for Deepika and Imran, he adds, “These two are not in the topmost league yet, but almost there, so they too remain unaffected. But yes, in the long run, they will have to buck up soon. They are both good packages and young. That works in their favour.”

Another trade analyst agrees. “It’s not a star that fails, but the film, so there’s no question of the stars losing face here. It’s all about the filmmakers’ baton. At the same time there’s a lot of goodwill riding for sure and a hit is always welcome.”