Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan two of Bollywood’s most iconic actors. Big B also lovingly called Bollywood’s ‘Shahenshah,’ revolutionised Indian cinema in the 1970s and 1980s with his powerful performances, earning him a place as a cultural icon. Known for his intense roles as the ‘angry young man,’ he dominated the silver screen with classics like ‘Sholay’ and ‘Deewar.’ Decades later, Shah Rukh Khan, hailed as the ‘King of Romance,’ brought a new wave of stardom in the 1990s with his magnetic charm in films like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.’ Together, these two legends have transcended acting to become global ambassadors of Bollywood across generations.
Back in 2007 SRK categorically dismissed rumours of rivalry interview with Rediff, calling the supposed cold war between them “completely media-generated.” The actor expressed his admiration for Bachchan and emphasised that there were no issues between them, despite persistent comparisons.
‘My Name is Khan’ actor was asked whether the rivalry was entirely a creation of the media. He responded, “I think so, absolutely. They have been trying it for a long time, and finally they have had some sort of success. So my congratulations. But as far as I am concerned, and I am sure Mr Bachchan is concerned, we have no issues at all.” SRK further elaborated that both he and Bachchan were cultured and educated individuals who had worked together on numerous successful projects. He highlighted their collaboration in films such as ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ (2006) and described their working relationship as enjoyable.
The backdrop for these rumours included Shah Rukh Khan stepping into roles previously associated with Amitabh Bachchan. For instance, Khan starred in Farhan Akhtar’s remake of Bachchan’s iconic mafia film ‘Don’ (1978), which invited comparisons between their performances. Many fans and critics debated whether Shah Rukh’s charismatic style could match Bachchan’s intense swagger in the original film. Additionally, Shah Rukh had also hosted the third season of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ (KBC) in 2007.
Interestingly, a recent survey by the Indian Institute of Human Brands (IIHB) and Rediffusion’s Red Lab revealed that Shah Rukh Khan is the top choice to succeed Amitabh Bachchan as the host of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ (KBC). The study, conducted among 768 respondents from Hindi-speaking regions, also highlighted Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni as strong contenders for the role. While comparisons between Shah Rukh and Amitabh remain inevitable, both stars are equally loved by all their fans.
