Who's the box-office King?

It’s that age-old question that trade pundits have been asking. Who is Bollywood’s reel king?

That’s a tough question to answer in an industry ruled by the K-men –Aamir, Salman, Saif and Shah Rukh and Akshay Kumar. Although, some industry insiders feel, even at 67, Amitabh Bachchan is still a force to reckon with in BO stakes (especially if you were to look at the number of flicks he’s got in hand — God Tussi Great Ho, Zamaanat, Shoe Bite, Aladdin, Talismaan , Exclusion and Shantaram ), the focus has shifted to the younger lot of actors.

SRK with two blockbusters last year ( Chak De! India and Om Shanti Om ) has a slew of interesting projects lined up — Dulha Mil Gaya, Billo Barber, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and My Name Is Khan . Now King Khan has competition from action Kumar Akshay (AK has four hits tucked under his designer belt) whose recent film Singh Is Kinng has grossed Rs 90 crore worldwide and is being touted as the biggest BO hit so far this year.

In the pipeline are five other films ( Kambakth Ishq, Chandni Chowk To China, Blue, Eight by Ten, International Hera Pheri ). B-town’s thinking actor Aamir is on a high after Taare Zameen Par and if his Ghajini hair cut is a fashion statement already, reports say the film is slated to be a big money-spinner.

Salman Khan’s God Tussi Great Ho might not be a big grosser, but the shirtless superstar’s kitty nevertheless has Wanted: Dead and Alive, Heroes, Yuvraaj and Main Aur Mrs. Khanna . All of them potential blockbusters in the making. And the newest K-boy who’s the favourite of box-office — Shahid Kapoor’s career graph is also soaring, after his recent Kismat Konnection tilted the BO fortune in his favour. His forthcoming films include Paathshala and Milenge Milenge .

So, now, who’s ruling the ticket windows this year then? While trade pundits are loath to name a favourite, we asked some to anoint the next king. Trade Analyst, Taran Adarsh feels that the Bollywood has four kings — SRK, Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan. He feels Salman Khan is already out of the race. “I feel that SRK whose biggest hit Om Shanti Om , Akshay (who’s got many hits too), Aamir (with Fanaa, Rang De Basanti and Taare Zameen Par ) and Hrithik (after Dhoom 2, Kkrish and Jodhaa Akbar ) — make all the four box-office kings.” For filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, the king of Bollywood would have to be “Aamir Khan. He is successful as a star, actor, director and producer. That’s a rare combination. He has outdone everybody.” Then there are die-hard believers. Like Actress Meghna Naidu who thinks SRK can be termed the king because “he’s magnetic and charismatic, witty, intelligent and an intense actor.” Something that fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee doesn’t agree with. He says, “I personally like Aamir as an actor because he is fabulous.”

A bit of number crunching by numerologist Sanjay Jumani proves that this could be Akshay’s year. “Akshay is in his 42nd year, and 42 = 6, Number of Venus, planet of entertainment. Akshay is a number 9 {09/09} in Numerology and 2007= 9, the year when he started to flourish. A Virgo ruled by number 5, he rocked in his 41st year (41=5) last year. Fear Factor — Khatron Ke Khiladi , the show that has become the trump card of new channel, Colors adds to 5, one of his lucky number too! Akshay will remain in his 42nd year till 9th Sept, and his 43rd year begins. 43, though not amongst his lucky (or unlucky) numbers, will be eventful too as 2008 is still on. His name which adds to 28 is the same number we get by adding 2008.”

By sheer mathematics Akshay Kumar tops the chart, followed in close tandem by SRK, a hit or a miss might change the sweepstakes completely. However, filmmaker Kunal Kohli feels “Bollywood has spread out so much, top actors have become brand names with their own kingdoms. Let’s not worry about who’ll rule the BO, but think of making better films instead.”
If only the emperors to-be were listening!

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com