Aamir Khan is number one: Salman

Aamir Khan is number one: Salman

His newest release, Ready is off to a flying start at the box-office, netting Rs 13.15 crore on day one and heading towards at least Rs 42 crore in the first three days.

But despite this, combined with the success of Dabangg (2010) and its recent National Award win, Salman Khan claims

he’s not a contender for the numero uno spot in tinsel town, unlike Shah Rukh Khan, who reportedly doesn’t miss any opportunity to claim the title.

Recently, when Shah Rukh unveiled the first theatrical promo of his superhero fantasy flick, RA.One, he was asked why his character was called G.One and not Jeevan. Although he later went on to explain that the character, named thus to sound like Jeevan, was a life-giver, as against the evil RA.One (Raavan), the media was only interested in his initial retort, “G is for my wife Gauri and One is my position in the industry.”

G is for my wife Gauri and One is my position in the industry: Shah Rukh Khan

A couple of days later, when Salman attended the press conference of Chillar Party, his co-production with UTV Motion Pictures, he was asked for his take on Shah Rukh’s claims, to which he promptly replied, “Aamir Khan is the number one.” Such is his friendship with his Andaz Apna Apna (1994) co-actor, that Salman named him again when asked who he thought was suitable for nicknames like Encyclopedia from his maiden production venture.

Evidently, both actors dislike being asked about the other.

Shah Rukh even took a dig at his rival when he thanked RA.One director Anubhav Sinha for his work in the film, reportedly saying, “It’s important to thank the directors first, before they run away,” hinting at Anees Bazmee’s early return from the Bangkok outdoor of Ready and Abhinav Kashyap’s opting out of the Dabangg sequel.

Other jibesOn an episode of Koffee With Karan, Shah Rukh had said that the fall out may have been his fault. After that, Salman said that he shouldn’t have apologised on TV. The former had no reply and simply placed his finger on his lips at a news conference when asked.

At a recent event to promote Ready in New Delhi, Salman made his displeasure clear when asked about SRK. He snapped, “Please ask him as many questions about me as you are asking me about him.” The following day, when SRK was in Delhi for a RA.One event, the organisers categorically told the media not to ask any questions related to Salman. But when a reporter addressed him as Salman by mistake, he quipped, “Bhai, pehle naam to theek kar le (Brother, first correct the name),” before replying to the query.
So who rules B-town?Opening figures of Aamir’s, Shah Rukh’s and Salman’s last two Bollywood releases:

Aamir Khan3 Idiots (2009)
Rs 80.32 crore
Ghajini (2008)
Rs 66.20  crore
Salman Khan
Dabangg (2010)
Rs 83.20 crore
Wanted (2009)
Rs 29.70 crore
Shah Rukh Khan
My Name Is Khan (2010)
Rs 62.08 crore
Billu (2009)
Rs 22.18 crore
(India Opening Week Figures, Courtesy: ibosnetwork.com)