Once Upon A Time, The Three Biggest Superstars Of The Indian Film Industry Were Enemies

By

Tanveer Zaidi  (Actor-Author-Educationist)

Superstar-Mr.Perfectionist Aamir Khan revealed that the three Khans- Megastar Salman Khan, King Shah Rukh Khan, and Mr.Perfectionist Aamir Khan weren’t always the best of friends.

Aamir Khan revealed, ” We always wanted to outpace each other and the rivalry existed; there happened a few feuds as well.”

He admitted, ” Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan are the biggest Superstars of the Indian Film Industry. Shah Rukh Khan is called the King of romance, although he has given superhits in other genres as well, he enjoys a solid fandom even outside the country.

On the other hand, Salman Khan has also given blockbusters in all the genres, be it action, romance, comedy, tragedy, his global fanbase is huge, they are not only his fans, they are his devotees, and they have given him the status of a Megastar.”

After 35 years in the Indian Film industry, the three Khans have been ruling; they are way beyond the rest of the stars. Khan has been sharing rivalries and bitterness.

But they have moved past the competition and now share a great bond.

While there’s a history of competitive energy and media-fueled “rivalry” narratives surrounding the Bollywood Khans (Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan), their relationship has evolved over the years.

Initially, there was a sense of competition and tension, particularly in their early careers, as each aspired to the top. However, as they’ve grown in the industry, they’ve developed a more positive and supportive dynamic.

Aamir Khan has publicly acknowledged a period of rivalry with Shah Rukh and Salman Khan, especially for the number one position. They were all vying for the same ground and attention, leading to some tension and rivalry.

Over time, their relationship has matured. Aamir has spoken about a sense of warmth and friendship that has become more pronounced between them. They have been seen together at events, supporting each other’s films, and even sharing the stage.

It’s worth noting that the “rivals” and “enemies” narratives are often amplified by the media, which can sometimes sensationalize their interactions and create a perception of competition where it may not exist.

The Khans share a similar background, having all entered the industry around the same time and experiencing similar challenges and triumphs; they are all 65 years old. This shared journey has fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect.

While they might still have a competitive spirit, their relationship is now more characterized by friendship and mutual support.

They are often seen together at events, attending screenings of each other’s films, endorsing each other’s movies, and even sharing the space in both reel and real life.

While the Khans have experienced periods of competition, their relationship has evolved into one of friendship and mutual respect, they are often seen hugging each other, as noted by Bollywood Reporter.

The media’s role in perpetuating a “rivalry” narrative has perhaps played a role in shaping public perception, but the reality is that they have a more complex and evolving relationship.

Will Bollywood ever witness another trio of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan? A trio so strong that, despite over three decades, their reign remains unchallenged, with their only real competition being each other.

It seems highly unlikely. What makes their journeys even more intriguing is that they weren’t always the best of friends. As young actors striving for superstardom, they had their fair share of quarrels and rivalries before eventually patching things up at the top. Today, they share an undeniable camaraderie.

According to Film Trade Expert Sharad Rai, “They had beefs but they weren’t enemies.”

Senior Journalist Sharad Rai says,” As Aamir Khan himself has admitted,

“Of course,  Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan were rivals,” so, ye, there was a throat-cut competition amongst them.”

Sharad Rai elaborates, “Recently, Aamir Khan himself opened up about their relationship, admitting that they weren’t particularly fond of each other in the early years and had a strong sense of rivalry.”

Sharad Rai continued, “In a conversation with me, when I asked if there was ever tension between them, Aamir immediately responded: “Of course there was… What are you even asking?

Each of us wanted to outpace the other two. Isn’t that what you call rivalry? So, that was there, but we were never enemies.”