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Khav v Khan!

Decoding the qualities that have made the Khans the hottest properties in tinsel town.

By Monojit Lahiri April 6, 2010 at 1:52 PM

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Actually the 3 Idiots versus My Name is Khan releases did it, one more time. For some time now, Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan have been chewing public space and hijacking popular imagination as few have done in the history of B-town. Sure there were the earlier Dilip-Raj, Dev-Shammi, Rajesh-Shatru, Anil-Jackie face-offs, but hey, this is different. Because in this age of cut-throat competition and a zillion entertainment alternatives — TV, Internet, digital, stage — their red-hot rivalry through mega-starrers, monster fan-following and thumping box-office receipts (aided and abetted by a hysterical 24x7 media) is way above anything else in recent memory…..
Actually, so are they. Unique, special and different.

Aamir may have started out as the chochweet cute, chocolate-faced lover boy in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, but after a series of bombs — and later hits — decided to forget the Bollywood script and follow his heart. Sure he did pot-boilers like Dil, Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahin, Ghulam, even great commercial zingers like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, the timeless Andaz Apna Apna and Sarfarosh. But he really got his act together with Lagaan and Dil Chahta Hai.This was Aamir cutting loose, wooing risk to break new ground. Mangal Pandey and Rang De Basanti only re-affirmed this brave new journey and with Taare Zameen Par, Gajini and 3 Idiots, he’s carved his very own signature and seal on every project he connects with. His heart’s “Go” always appears to veto his heads “No!” Guts, courage, instinct, self-belief powered by passionate and full-on follow-up is AK’s lethal work-ethic — and god knows, he’s scored a perfect 10 (both critically and commercially) each time!

SRK is a different kettle of fish. A mesmerizing star presence, flamboyant, electric energy, over-the-top moves, in thought, word and deed (don’t we know it?) and charismatic, he is all style, drama and color! With no filmy background, a couple of successful TV serials (Fauji, Circus) and a host of arty projects as starters, SRK zoomed into popular psyche with Deewana and Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman. However, it took guts for this young, unknown actor from Delhi to accept a hugely rejected negative role (an echo of Amitabh Bachchan and Zanjeer?) in Darr. He had already gone this route, successfully, earlier in Baazigar, but the Yash Chopra film was the big turnaround that he was looking for.

Not since Shatrughan Sinha and Amjad Khan was a villain’s role so wildly cheered and celebrated. The new star however was in no mood to rest on his laurels. Doing an astonishing volte-face, he played the ultimate, romantic charmer in a film that was to create box-office history (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) and slot his pairing with Kajol as the romantic pair of the day. He went along playing Mr. Romantic, with all cylinders firing, blowing everyone’s — read women — mind to smitherns. Dil To Pagal Hai, Pardes, Devdas, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gam, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna — SRK was on fire and the glow flared big time to every part of the globe where a SRK starrer was screened.

However, like Aamir Khan, SRK too wanted to explore the “actor” within and two films demonstrated clearly that there is much more to him than the predictable, mushy, melodramatic, hi-pitched stylized romances. Swadesh and Chak De India may have faired lamely at the box-office, but any SRK-watcher would agree that these were landmark, path-breaking efforts from a super-star renowned more for style than substance. And now with My Name Is Khan, SRK appears truly serious to turn a new leaf. Is SRK the actor sending across a strong message to SRK the star, “Watchout buddy, I could just overtake you?”

So what gives? What’s the score? Who’s winning? It really depends on whom you’re asking! Globally, SRK is clearly the hotter ticket. Spontaneous, rebellious, enterprising, charming, audacious, rocking and hugely entertaining in a mesmerizing, matchless audience-friendly way, King Khan is dynamite, eliciting rock-star like hysteria. Aamir is diametrically opposite. Studied, focused, methodical, with an obsessive eye for detail and perfection, maddeningly selective and completely private when not promoting his film or a cause, he lets his films do the talking… and man, do they talk!

Despite the lack of frontal and full-on public glare that SKR enjoys, Aamir seems have the last laugh. His 3 Idiots, has pipped My Name Is Khan in the box office stakes and his astonishing $7 million endorsement deal — over SRK’s $3 million — signed with a UAE-based telecommunications service provider last month, jolted even the jaded in Bollywood.

However, at the end of the day, for devotees of the two Khans, it’s an embarrassment of riches! Both love cinema passionately, take their work very seriously and over time have entered the production business as well. Dedicated to their calling and completely focused on endeavouring to “be the change you want” in their very own, special and unique ways, the conclusion is simple: Don’t compare them. Just love them. B-town — and their zillion fans — need them both!

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Comments (2 posted)

Sami July 18, 2010 at 8:28 PM

Sorry Anita I have to disagree with you, they have given Aamir as much credit as he deserves, to say that Aamir scores a perfect 10 both critically and commercially is the biggest compliment that can be given. TZP has been used to promote awareness in African countries, but then MNIK is also being used in middle eastern countries to promote Islam and its peaceful qualities. It all cancels out with these 2 stars. in fact the problem is that Bollywood seems to revolve around only these 2. It is poor really given that there are other probably more talented actors out there, say Ajay Devgan and Naseerudin Shah who dont get half as much coverage as these 2, who will never be the greatest actors of there generation.
Also I have to disagree with you on the SRK does only the same films malarky, a line muttered by any srk detractor. Have a look at his last 4 films: MNIK, RNBDJ, OSO and CDI, try and find similarties between them, I challenge you. So his next...Ra 1, a film about an Indian superhero is not something new? India has never had its own superhero. Krrish was aimed at an NRI audience, not beign set in India, and Drona was a flop.
You are absolutely correct, Aamir Khan is India\'s highest entry for Forbes most bankable stars. But SRK is the only actor in Newsweeks global top 50. Like i said these 2 cancel each other out.
If Aamir is the top promoter than SRK is the top public relationist. Which is more important, a film does well if has a good script, there is only so much promotion can do. Having good PR means you can keep the media on your side.
As for Aamir Khan, he is the man for marketing, but the real test is Peepli live, to see whether he can market this to success despite it not starring him.
I thought this was a well balanced article, after singing the ultimate praise for Aamir Khan, the writer felt the need to write just a little more for SRK to make up for that.

Anita April 16, 2010 at 1:07 AM

Sorry to say but this article seems biased. Aamir Khan is the highest paid actor as well as India\'s highest paid celebrity brand ambassador. While SRK may have more fans globally, it is Aamir\'s films that reach Oscars and win accolades at prestigious film festivals. You completely neglected the immense social impact of Aamir\'s films, both in India and abroad. TZP is being used even in Brazil, to educate parents and teachers about child rights and right methods of pedagogy. Aamir was the highest ranking male actor from India in Forbes list of Most Bankable stars in the world. This article, talks more in detail about the charm or presence of SRK, and talks very little about Aamir Khan. And it\'s not just 3 Idiots that pipped MNIK, even Ghajini pipped RNBDJ. And mind you, Ghajini and 3 Idiots are not just highest grossing films of their year of release, but the highest grossing Indian films ever! Aamir\'s records, are broken only by Aamir himself. His name carries immense credibility and promise of great quality. The author could have talked a little detail about Aamir too, instead of quickly summing up stuff about him. Aamir\'s films have set new trends in filmmaking as well as in society. Unlike SRK\'s repetitive movies, that have nothing new to offer. Plus, he\'s the top marketing genius out there, whose marketing techniques are even aped by his rivals.
Please try to publish a balanced write-up, rather than singing praises and using hyperbole for one particular person.