The King and The Emperor

Shahrukh v/s Aamir...

Its not a war...and i really wonder whether the two men in picture have ever actually paid any heed to it....

There has never been any doubt regarding who the better actor is....Shahrukh might be only second to Tom Cruise in popularity charts around the world and Aamir might be a relatively unknown figure,but he sure is a better actor and nobody questions it...probably not even Shahrukh!

However, what interests me is the characteristic difference in their approach towards life and the demarche they have adopted towards it...

In the last 15 years, Shahrukh has never been involved in any controversy--of course,only if you ignore his media-speculated battles against practically anyone who succeeds in the industry, be it Hrithik Roshan or Amitabh Bachchan, and the infamous smoke-incident/OSO promotion at a cricket match--Aamir, on the other hand, has been involved in more serious issues. Be it his highly criticized statement on the Sardar Sarovar Project or the recent allegation of his brother regarding his savoir faire at home towards the latter, Aamir has had been making news for different reasons.

Shahrukh, who entered the industry as an alien, has made many friends--pretty evident from the title track of OSO!( who else, but him, could've managed to get the whole industry out and dancing on a practically nothing song! )--he has a close group of aides who are ready to support him, no matter what the situation be. So much so that Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra won't mind casting him as an 18 year old if he demands that at 60! Then,there's Kajol,Juhi,Farha and of course the two other big KHANs,Salman and Saif. And yes, lets not forget his best friend,for whom he can go to any lengths, Gauri! Aamir has been quintessentially different in this regard. He's never been lucky with relationships. From a failed marriage to verbal altercations with his dad to persecuting his brother, he's personified the bad man quite a few times.

Shahrukh has also made a fan following through his unmatchable wit. A quotable paradigm of this largesse of his is his reply to a question in NDTVs The Big Question,"Shahrukh, it has been seen that you work only with big banners. What do you have to say about this?" --"I don't work with big banners. The banner which works with me turns big!"....what an answer! He's been termed the media-man by the media and has been inveterate in pampering the papparazi, whenever they demand. Not only has he bagged innumerous awards, he's gone on to host them and in turn, has redefined the meaning of the symposiarch. Aamir, on the contrary, would never ever do that. Forget about hosting them, he has liturgically refused attending all award functions and has never agreed to collect any award. He has eluded the media from time immemorial and yes, was one of the three who refused to show up in the OSO extravaganza.

Shahrukh has given the industry its biggest hits. From DDLJ to 'Dil to Pagal Hai' to 'Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai' to 'Devdas' to OSO, he has always given the industry more than he has asked for, never fleecing his producers. In fact, his demand of 5-6 crores per movie seems trifle when compared to Hrithik Roshan's 11, and Aamir's alleged 20, if one keeps in mind the returns that are expected. Aamir Khan has never delivered the biggest grosser in any year. 'Lagaan' was shadowed by 'Gadar' and 'Raja Hindustani' by the storm of 'DDLJ' and yet, both are movies that are remembered to date. Lagaan more than Gadar although perhaps Raja Hindustani would never match up with DDLJ.

But, here lies another major difference,which is perhaps more profound than any stated above. To state it simply( and make it sound a cliche!), Aamir has been very different in his choice of films. While Shahrukh has comfortably assumed a place in the society as the country's biggest entertainer and is content with it, Aamir has used his position and talent for the deleverance of his society and country.

It is not that Sharukh hasn't played any cult roles. Be it the never-say-die attitude he flawlessly portrayed in 'Kal Ho Na Ho', the down-to-earth real-life NASA Scientist in 'Swades' or the unforgettable reincarnation of major Negi in 'Chak De!India', Shahrukh has done his bit for the upsurge of the quality of living of his country's people. But, just check out what comes next. KHNH was followed by the forgettable 'Main Hun Na', Swades by the already forgotten 'Paheli' ( I'm deliberately avoiding comparisons with Lagaan here!) and 'Chak De..' by OSO. Shahrukh has probably never acknowledged the responsibility that is knowingly or unknowingly resting upon his shoulders. In fact, he dilutes, rather completely toxicates, the charisma he creates, when he follows up a master-class like 'Chak De...' with something as obnoxious as OSO.

Look at Aamir's list of movies during the same interval--Mangal Pandey, Rang De Basanti, Fanaa, Tare Zameen Par--not even one of these can be termed purely commercial. Even Fanaa, the most commercial among the above brought forward the contrast in the opinions of two individuals of a minority, which has largely been unduly and unfairly targeted by many in regards with terrorism. As for 'Mangal Pandey' and 'Rang De...', they represent patriotism in the spirit of the age they are scened in. But, what has completely set Aamir apart from everyone that the industry has ever seen is TZP. The sublime direction, the flawless production, the outstanding act and more than all that, the simplicity and beauty with which the message was conveyed has earned the movie one of the top spots in not only Indian but, World cinema. Aamir Khan has finally stimulated that nerve of the audience that so many movies like Khamoshi and Black had only managed to tingle. It has thrown a completely new light on the issue of mental/physical incompatibility. It is no longer looked upon as a reason for sympathy but, a challenge. A challenge to help them achieve what they want and not dole it to them. A challenge to make this society a better place to live for not only those towards whom god has been generous but also for them, who fight to take their share of largesse from him!
Shahrukh, no doubt is the ruling King of Bollywood and is probably the biggest star the industry has ever seen but, Aamir go down in history as the Emperor who changed its course...