The Bollywood film industry has been ruled by the three Khans for decades. Starting as debutants in the early 90s, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan’s career trajectories ran parallel with each other. They saw overnight fame, downfalls, and global recognition almost at the same time. Sometimes friends and, at times, foes, these contemporary actors have naturally been pitted against each other given their stardom. Now, Aamir Khan has revealed that there used to be healthy competition among the three Khans in the 90s.
Aamir Khan admitted that competition existed within the three Khans
In a podcast with Raj Shamani, Aamir Khan talked about his equation with contemporaries, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. He talked about their film careers, which started around the same time, and said that they used to compete with each other in the 90s. The actor clarified that everyone wants to be the most successful one, and everyone wants their movies to be well-loved, which, as per Aamir Khan, is a good thing. The Sitaare Zameen Par actor said:
“Har koi ye chahta hai ki sabse zyada wo successful ho, sabse zyada log uske kaam ko pasand kare, aur ye acchi baatein hoti hai.”
Aamir Khan heaped praises on SRK and DDLJ
Aamir Khan, in the same podcast, stated that the competition was always healthy on his part. He said that someone doing a good job inspired him further to work hard. Talking about Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Aamir Khan said that he really loved the film and praised Shah Rukh for a job well done. However, the actor further said that appreciating DDLJ does not mean that he would also go on to work on a huge romantic movie. That is not something to compete over. In his own words, Aamir said:
“Mujhe ye nahi tha ki main DDLJ jaisi badi romantic film karu kyuki mujhe wo film achi lagti hai. SRK ne bahut kamaal ka kaam kiya hai. Bahut achi lagti hai mujhe, mujhe bhi dekh ke mazaa aata hai. To main usse thodi compete kar raha hu.”
Aamir Khan wants his other contemporaries to be celebrated like the three Khans as well
Talking about all the actors from his generation, Aamir Khan said that he feels bad that his contemporaries who are still working in the industry are not as celebrated as the three Khans. The actor specifically mentioned Ajay Devgn, Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar, who started their careers around the same time as the Khans and enjoy the same recognition and popularity. Aamir Khan wants to hopefully correct the fact that he, Salman, and SRK are more celebrated for their extensive careers than the others.
Aamir Khan made his successful film debut around the same time as Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan
Aamir Khan’s debut film was the mega blockbuster, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, in 1988, with Juhi Chawla. Shah Rukh Khan made his film debut in Deewana, starring opposite Divya Bharti. Meanwhile, Salman Khan’s debut in a lead role was in the superhit Maine Pyaar Kiya with Bhagyashree. All three Khans’ debut films were released around the early 90s and were mega-successful. These films made them stars overnight. As their careers and stardom started together, these three superstars have often been each other’s rivals, with their fandoms often clashing with each other.
What are your thoughts on the healthy competition between the three Khans in the 90s?
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