In the early 1990s, as the prominent stars of the preceding era—Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, and Rishi Kapoor—began to withdraw from leading roles, a new generation emerged to take their place. While the trio of Khans and Akshay Kumar would ultimately dominate this era, numerous other actors competed for prominence during the initial years of the decade. One such actor, who made a remarkable debut, was dubbed 'the next Rajesh Khanna.' However, his rapid ascent was abruptly halted due to an unfavorable contract.

Prithvi Vazir, the next Rajesh Khanna

Prithvi Vazir, commonly referred to as Prithvi, made his cinematic debut in 1992 with the film Dil Ka Kya Kasoor, in which he starred alongside Divya Bharti. The film achieved unexpected success, earning the title of a sleeper hit, and the media began to refer to Prithvi as the next Rajesh Khanna. Following the film's triumph, he quickly rose to fame, receiving a multitude of film offers. There was speculation that Prithvi could assume the role of the romantic lead that had been left vacant by the decline of Kumar Gaurav. During this period, he was viewed as a potential alternative to younger actors such as Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan, who were not regarded as the quintessential romantic heroes.

How a contract stalled Prithvi Vazir's career

Prithvi's early career was significantly impacted by a contract he signed, which ultimately became a considerable burden for him. This agreement restricted him from participating in any films outside of that particular production house, resulting in the loss of opportunities for notable projects such as Darr and Deewana, which were pivotal in launching Shah Rukh Khan's career. In a 2021 interview with Jhakaas Bollywood, Prithvi expressed, “I found myself ensnared in a contract that was exceedingly challenging to escape. It constrained my prime years. I did not vanish; I remained present in the hearts of my fans. However, my ability to work on films was hindered due to the contractual obligations.”

Prithvi Vazir's later career

Prithvi transitioned to television in 1994 and later chose to take on supporting roles in films such as Daraar, Ghulam, and Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet. By the year 2000, he was primarily involved in B and C-grade films, including Chudail Ki Raat and Kothewali. Since then, he has made appearances in minor roles in films like Humraaz and Jimmy, among others. His most recent appearance was a cameo in the 2024 film Dhaak.

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