Clash of the Titans

  • IndiaGlitz, [Wednesday,June 07 2006]

The simmering rivalry between Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan is growing bitter by the day. After Ram Gopal Verma decided to stall Time Machine (A film where Shahrukh was supposed to be acting) in favor of Bachchan’s Nishabd and Ram Gopal Verma Ke Sholay, the King Khan Camp including Karan Johar, Farah Khan and Priyanka Chopra along with Shahrukh himself wouldn’t be a part of this year’s IIFA Awards in Dubai. Incidentally, Bachchan is the brand ambassador of IIFA.

The so called Cold War between the two reigning moghuls of Bollywood is said to have started when Sarkar starring both the Bachchans released a week after Shahrukh’s home production Paheli. As is well known, Sarkar went on to be a huge hit while Paheli sank at the box office. It was reported that the star of such brilliant money spinners like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, K3G, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Main Hoon Na held Amitabh Bachchan responsible for Paheli’s failure. He was also upset with Big B for promoting son Abhishek’s career.

The war entered the next phase when the Senior B fell grievously ill and was away from the smoke-n-grime of glamour. Shahrukh grabbed the brand endorsements like ICICI Bank and Navratan Oil which were earlier being endorsed by Bachchan. He further gave interviews where he stated that he may consider doing Kaun Banega Crorepati if the channel makes the ‘right’ offer. Amitabh Bachchan on his part repeatedly said in the television interviews that Shahrukh is the “Badshah of Bollywood” while he was nothing but a “Character Artiste” It seems Shahrukh is not buying the “Character Actor” theory. No one would. Considering, Bachchan is all set to be seen indulging in a ‘romantic indulgence’ with the nineteen year old Jiah Khan in the forthcoming Lolita Nishabd.

It remains to be seen where this war is headed for. Whoever makes the next move, you shall be the first to know about it, only on IndiaGlitz.