For close to three decades now, the undisputed reign of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan has characterized Bollywood's superstar era. Their dominance persists, with their only competition being each other. Does the industry ever see another set of actors rising so high? The chances are bleak.
What makes their journey even more interesting is that their equation was not always camaraderie-filled. In their younger days, as aspiring actors competing for the number one position, they had their share of conflicts and rivalries. But as time went by, they buried the hatchet and now enjoy a bond of deep friendship.
'Of Course, Me, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan Were Rivals'
Earlier this year, Aamir Khan spoke about their earlier dynamics, admitting they were not too close initially. On an interview with the YouTube show Just Too Filmy, upon being queried if there was tension between them at the beginning, Aamir openly agreed, "Of course there was… What are you even asking? Each of us wanted to outpace the other two. Isn't that what you call rivalry? So, that was there."
Though their rivalry was mostly friendly, Aamir shared that there were times of disagreement as well. "I think many of them have been well reported in the media," he said with a smile. He continued, "It's not like I am saying something new here. There have been disagreements. But these things happen between friends, right? In any relationship, there will be disagreements along with the friendship."
'Now, That Rivalry No Longer Exists'
Although they used to be rivals, Aamir stressed that such rivalries are long gone. "It's been 35 years since we came together. We were born in the same year, 1965, and made our debuts roughly at the same time. Now, that rivalry is no longer there. I don't think Shah Rukh, Salman, or I even look at it that way anymore," he said. He spoke about how their friendship has developed with time, remarking, "Having been along for so many years, now there is just such a close warmth and relationship of friendship which has grown really solid. We're far more relaxed with one another now."
A Special Moment at a Grand Wedding
Aamir also reminisced about how he was remembering a particular scene at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding in Jamnagar, Gujarat, when the three of them were on stage together. "Salman and Shah Rukh had set something for their entry. Then Mukesh (Ambani) called me and said, 'They are doing something, it would be nice if you also join.' It was a last-minute request, saying everyone will be glad to see the three of us on stage. I said yes instantly," he reminisced.
Talking about their impromptu preparation, he said, "So, all three of us sat down together for roughly half an hour and prepared the skit that all of you have seen. What impressed me was how spontaneously we were brainstorming. There was comfort and freedom between us. I told them after the rehearsal: 'Now, all three of us can make a film together.' They agreed. We have been with each other for so long now, I am sure the people would also love to watch us in a movie."
Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have shared screen space in movies such as Karan Arjun and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai over the years, and Aamir and Salman were seen together in Andaz Apna Apna. But a movie with all three of them together is Bollywood's fantasy that can come true if their off-screen friendship carries over to the screen.
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