Call it media hype or the actors’ genuine interest in the each others’ lives, competition definitely exists between Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. While the big war between the Badshah and Shahenshah of Bollywood is ripe and happening, it’s difficult to pin the Number One slot to either. Be it television shows or brand endorsements, the rivalry appears to be full on.
Last year, Big B’s Nishabd, Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag and Eklavya didn’t do well. Even semi-hits like Cheeni Kum and Shootout At Lokhandwala didn’t have the expected magic. At the same time, 2007 was a year of hits for King Khan. Though he had only two films to his credit, both Chak De! India and Om Shanti Om did extremely well, in India and abroad.
This year, while Bachchan has already had a release, Bhoothnath with SRK, he is awaiting the launch of Sarkar Raj with his son and daughter-in-law. As for Shah Rukh’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, the film will have a late 2008 release.
Adman and lyricist Prasoon Joshi said, “Both SRK and Big B have a fan following. Their market value just depends on their latest hit. Whosever’s film works gets more popularity.”
Another common factor is that Amitabh and Shah Rukh have their own production houses. However, while ABCL’s is hardly making any films, Shah Rukh’s Red Chillies is on a film-churning spree. Now, while Shah Rukh leads in the race in Bollywood, Big B seems to have a better impact on people considering the number of endorsements he gets. To this, Komal Nahta, a renowned critic and trade analyst says, “That’s natural. There’s a difference of 20 to 22 years in age, between them. Obviously, they can’t have similar ads.” Here’s more on the two contending superstars.
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