Bolly world has recently seen a flood of multi-starrer films. But the biggest and not-so-surprising thing is the inclination of main-lead heroes to multi-starrer roles.

Recent years have seen a sea of change in the thinking of actors, especially male actors, when it comes to choosing a film. The war for main-lead roles takes a backseat, as more and more star power is roped into films to add to its box-office value.

Today erstwhile main leads vouch for even character roles, rationalizing them as script demands. Anything to keep it rolling! Looking back at the glory years of ex-heroes we find that multi-starrer saved the day for many of them!

Vivek Oberoi: Is the true star of multi-starrer films. The guy seems to be tailor made for multi-starrers, as he shone brightest in such films.

Vivek is among the few actors who despite proven acting-prowess, was sidelined with multi-starrers. Saathiya and Dum placed Vivek in the category of brilliant actors.

But the irony is, Vivek's performance was only recognized in multi-starrers- Shoot out at Lokhandwala and Masti and sometimes overshadowed by Saif Ali Khan in Omkara and Abhishek Bachchan in Yuva.

Govinda: The eternal No.1 Hero with box-office blockbusters like Hero No.1, Coolie No.1, Jodi No. 1 to his credits, also got hit by the multi-starrer trend, and was pushed to the backseat.

This extremely talented actor suddenly moved to multi-starrers like Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, Partner, Salaam-E-Ishq, Bhagam Bhag and many more.

However, these films too explored the tremendous energy in this actor and he still continues to etch out his niche in the midst of Shahenshahs and Baadshahs of B-Town.

Aftab Shivdasani: Poster chocolate-boy made many a hearts go flutter with his head-turning performances, with films like Kasoor and Mast; he was all set to hit the big league- solo. But with subsequent and continuous flops like Kya Yahi Pyaar Hai, Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe, his solo career nose-dived into oblivion.

After that Aftab became the first choice for a second lead, this at least gave him work in multi-starrers like Masti, Hungama, Awaara Pagal Deewana, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, De Taali and Dus Kahaniyaan. Acid Factory and Daddy Cool are some more of his star-full films that are releasing this year.

Sunil Shetty: Adoringly called ‘Anna'; Sunil Shetty started with powerful lead roles in Gopi Kishen, Gaddar and Dhadkan, but he has now finally stepped into multi-starrers. Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri, Border- all multi-starrer hits, proved to be the milestone of his career; and with them, he made his presence felt in the big league.

But the multi-starrer factor worked to a disadvantage, when Anna saw a string of flops with films like- Don't Stop Dreaming, Apna Sapna Money Money, Umrao Jaan, Aap Ki Khatir, Chup Chup Ke, Cash, Mission Istanbul and Padamshree Laloo Prasad Yadav.

Shootout at Lokhandwala was the only saving grace. Alas, call it a disadvantage of multi-starrer; a single actor doesn't get the credit for the film's success.

Ritesh Deshmukh: This immensely talented actor never left the hand of multi-starrers. In fact, multi-starrers came as a boon to Ritesh Deshmukh, who had a dwindling career to begin with, his flicks like Tujhe Meri Kasam and Out of control as a solo-main lead saw empty theaters.

But multi-starrers like Masti, Bluffmaster, Malamaal Weekly, Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, Heyy Babyy, Dhamaal gave a new dimension to his career. Despite some flops like De Taali, Apna Sapna Money Money, Darna Zaroori Hai, this actor is almost a permanent fixture in any multi-starrer, and has bid adieu to solo lead films.

The list goes on... With the likes of Anil Kapoor and Salman Khan getting inclined to do multi-starrers too, seems like the era of solo Hero is biting the dust. As everyone is joining the Star studded Bollywood bandwagon of Multi starrer films, after all the more the merrier!