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Dilip Kumar, Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan are just three names that come to mind when we think of clear-cut Numero Unos who were long-lasting. Since the 1990s, the three Khans—Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh—were the Reign Men. Aamir, the choosy one, starred in the first 100 crore grosser (Ghajini) and then some of cinema’s highest grossers (3 Idiots, Dhoom:3, PK, and Dangal).
Shah Rukh Khan grew to be King Khan, having unleashed a bevy of blockbusters, which were, with few exceptions, all romantic movies. These include Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, still running in a Mumbai theatre for the 11.30 a.m. show uninterruptedly since 1995, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… and Om Shanti Om.
Salman Khan, star of the biggest hit of the entire 1980s—Maine Pyar Kiya and the highest grosser of the 1990s—Hum Aapke Hain Koun!…—resurrected himself after a lull with incredible success from 2009’s Wanted and 2010’s Dabangg and could do no wrong as the No. 1 star for almost a decade more. His fans increased so much in quantum that his worst or most unsuccessful films like Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Sikander still netted a minimum Rs. 100 crore.
Following these big three were Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and the youngest of the lot—Hrithik Roshan. Much was expected of Varun Dhawan and Kartik Aaryan but their choices and track-records did not match expectations. Ayushmann Khurrana also had a series of successes and hits but lacked the X factor that defined superstardom. And Shahid Kapoor decided to focus on performance-oriented cinema and not the blockbuster kind that enhanced market rankings. His only blockbusters remain Padmaavat (in which Ranveer Singh stole the show) and Kabir Singh.
The Two ‘R’s!
After the pandemic, a lot changed. Post-Dangal, Aamir Khan’s Secret Superstar was ho-hum, and Thugs of Hindostan (2018) and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) were disasters. Salman acted in dated actioners that did nothing to add to his stardom (Radha, Antim) after the magnificent trio of Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), Sultan (2016) and Tiger Zinda Hai(2017). Flops ruled in his career.
After Chennai Express (2013), Shah Rukh too had a prolonged low phase (Fan, Zero, Jab Harry Met Sejal). If he thundered back with Jawan and Pathaan in 2023, the late-2023 release Dunkee poked a hole in the euphoric fabric. The prolific Kumar and Devgn continued to have a balanced hit-flop ratio. Hrithik Roshan was choosy and had a hit streak (Kaabil, Super 30 until War in 2019), but later, Vikram Vedha and War 2 proved catastrophic, while Fighter was just a lukewarm success.
The social media started going to town on how the era of the three Khans had ended and the same became the case with Hrithik. The people and the trade were kinder to Akshay and Ajay, who were steadier but never Number One material. If Akshay had OMG 2, Sky Force, Housefull 5, Kesari Chapter 2, Jolly LLB 3 and now Bhooth Bangla as pluses, he also had mishaps like Raksha Bandhan, Bachchan Panday and Sarfira. If Ajay had Raid 2, Shaitaan and Drishyam 2, debacles like Bholaa, De De Pyaar De 2 and Son of Sardaar 2 balanced them.
The audiences decreed that change was a must now and the mantle of the New Big Things has fallen on Ranbir Kapoor after Brahmastra, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar and, above all, when Animal roared. His Ramayana and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War are now coming. And Ranveer Singh, never considered serious competition despite some major hits like Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Gully Boy and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahanii, slalomed home with the humongous Dhurandhar franchise, and is now doing an apocalypse film, Pralay, and Bhansali’s Baiju Bawra.
Let us watch the interesting race now. GenZee is preferring the youth nowadays, especially when heroines remain physically young. It’s one thing to watch Ranbir romance Rashmika Mandanna and quite another to see Salman doing so!
Yes, Shah Rukh Khan’s King, Salman Khan’s Matrubhoomi and Aamir Khan’s long-awaited sequel to 3 Idiots may be (very) hit propositions, but they may be occasional swallows in the new box-office summer.
