Salman khan had an off year producing and starring in a film best remembered for one of the all-time 'best worst' dialogues-"Our business is our business, none of your business"-from Race 3. But when it comes to bhai, his business is still very much India's business.

For the first time in three years of India Today's Mood of the Nation (MOTN) survey, Salman's popularity fell to single digits, but he was still ahead in the popularity race with Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan close behind.

Khan will aim to make up lost ground by collaborating with Ali Abbas Zafar, director of two superhits, Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai, on Bharat and then begin work on Dabangg 3.

With Thugs of Hindostan, featuring Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, and Shah Rukh's Zero failing at the box office, Akshay had the distinction of a having a great year with both Pad Man and Gold faring well, and his Kollywood debut 2.0 with Rajinikanth becoming a blockbuster.

He continues to be one of the most prolific actors with four releases lined up in 2019 beginning with the period epic Kesari, followed by Mission Mangal, based on Indian Space Research Organisation's successful Mars Orbiter Mission, Good News with Kareena Kapoor Khan and then ending the year with the comedy, Housefull 4.

The newest entrant and biggest gainer, though, was Ranveer Singh, the actor India Today recently hailed as 'The Ultimate Showman'.

As one half of the powerful #DeepVeer couple and riding high on the success of Simmba, his first solo blockbuster, Ranveer was ahead of other superstars, like Rajinikanth, Ranbir Kapoor, Aamir and Varun Dhawan. Already earning acclaim for his rapping skills in upcoming Gully Boy and with two big projects lined up in 83 and Takht, Singh is the superstar of the hour.