Statistics & Opinion indicate that SRK is the ruler of Bollywood

Bollywood ka Badshah kaun (Who is the ruler of Bollywood?)

Screen put the million dollar question to the film fraternity.

A few insights:

BOX-OFFICE EARNINGS OF SHAH RUKH KHAN & AAMIR KHAN'S LAST THREE FILMS

Film Year Total Net Gross Verdict

Om Shanti Om 2007 86,50,00,000 Blockbuster

Chak De! India 2007 63,98,00,000 Blockbuster

Don 2006 51,71,00,000 Hit
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Taare Zameen Par 2007 59,87,00,000 Blockbuster

Fanaa 2006 54,90,00,000 Super hit

Rang De Basanti 2006 52,77,00,000 Super hit

Aamir Khan could never have imagined that a casual comment about his colleague Shah Rukh Khan,could spark off such a major debate. Aamir who endorses Samsung, when quizzed at a recent event about the competition he foresees from Shah Rukh Khan who is promoting Nokia said, "Shah Rukh Khan prefers being number two!" This remark said in jest, or seriously quickly made headlines and sent the media scurrying to the other Khan for his comment! And the flamboyant Shah Rukh not the one to let go any taunt without a retort was only too happy to oblige. At the unveiling of the name and logo of his Kolkata Indian Premier League-Knight Riders just a day after Aamir's remark, the question was thrown at Shah Rukh. Starting off lightly with a 'my wife Gauri will beat me if say anything about Aamir' Khan could not help but continue with 'But we are friends and even if he is serious with his comment, I will take it as a compliment! But the question as to who is the number one was left unanswered. Screen spoke to some industry insiders to get their verdict as to who they think rules the box-office!

Mukesh Bhatt (Producer): If you have a look at the last few year's list of blockbusters, most of them are Shah Rukh starrers. Without hesitation Shah Rukh is much bigger than Aamir when it comes to the box-office earnings. If you talk about their talent I would consider both at par, I cannot say who is bigger there.

Sameer Nair (CEO NDTV imagine): I do not know of any survey that has been done to see who is number one, but both actors have the charisma to demand adulation by the audiences and to create records at the box- office. Shah Rukh Khan is more flamboyant and constantly in the news, on the other hand Aamir is not always in the news but when it comes to their films both the actors' films get a great initial.

Ronnie Screwala (Producer): I would not compare the two as each is unique in his own way and both have their own charm. But despite Shah Rukh being an actor who is associated with big-budget films and Aamir with small budget ones, both get a good opening. Both have been in the profession for several years and extremely adept at their craft.

Kunal Kohli (Film director): Aamir and Shah Rukh are not in the same space. Aamir believes in a different form and genre of cinema, which is quite diverse to Shah Rukh's and is quite happy within his space. But coming to who is bigger at the box-office both are huge. If you want to compare their box-office ratings I know that Aamir's solo starrer Fanaa, did more business than Shah Rukh's multi-starrer Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna!

Satish Kaushik (Film director): Going by last year's records I would say Shah Rukh, Aamir Khan and even Akshay Kumar enjoy equal status today, as all three have given blockbusters like Om Shanti Om, Taare Zameen Par and Heyy Babyy. But when it comes to charisma and the box-office Shah Rukh is definitely at the top!

Amodh Mehra (Trade analyst): At present it is Shah Rukh's films which break records. Aamir's films do good business but they are not record breaking, so as to say, and that even would include Lagaan! Shah Rukh is without doubt the number one today. As for their acting abilities both are equal in different ways. Shah Rukh is more of a masses person, while Aamir connects more to the intellectual. When it comes to their endorsements both command the same money, though Aamir is more choosy about what he takes up!

Vikram Bhatt (Filmmaker): Comparing Shah Rukh and Aamir is like comparing apples with oranges! Just like both the fruits are so different, both actors are different in their beliefs and ideas. And if you have a look at their films, say Aamir Khan's Rang De Basanti and Taaren Zameeen Par and Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om, the kind of cinema that they believe in. But their similarity lies in their concentration, focus and hard work and the ability to turn the ordinary into extraordinary! That is why they are the huge successes that they are!

NP Yadav (Trade analyst): As far as the box-office is concerned, Shah Rukh Khan is a big, big brand today, far bigger than Aamir Khan. If Shah Rukh demands 50 crore for a film, any producer would happily give it to him as he can get a neat 70 crore before the release of the film. Shah Rukh's other advantage is that he is a huge brand overseas as well, and that is where Aamir Khan (who is huge in India) loses out. In rating Shah Rukh stands from 1-10, today. When it comes to talent, that is debatable as Aamir is more choosy and inclined towards sensitive cinema and very keen to experiment and take up challenges, while Shah Rukh generally prefers to work with his favourite filmmakers like Karan Johar and Aditi Chopra.

Sudhir Mishra (Filmmaker): Neither of them want to work with me so their ratings at the box-office does not interest me. But being a sensitive filmmaker I appreciate their talent. Both Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan are immensely talented. Shah Rukh Khan with his tremendous charisma can bring any film to himself, on the other hand Aamir Khan moulds better and reaches out to the character and the film! I would rate both of them as exceptional actors.

Screen India