Cover Story BOLLYWOOD SUPER DUO: Bachchan (Left); Khan in a Still from Mohabbatein BACHCHAN VS KHAN IT’S a BATTLE of IRON WILLS and VELVET GLOVES
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cover story BOLLYWOOD SUPER DUO: Bachchan (left); Khan in a still from Mohabbatein BACHCHAN VS KHAN IT’S A BATTLE OF IRON WILLS AND VELVET GLOVES. BOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST STARS ARE LOCKED IN A WAR THAT HAS DIVIDED POLITICIANS, INDUSTRIALISTS AND ADVERTISERS. ■ By Kaveree Bamzai OR almost a year, it has made tabloid headlines, kept glossies in business, generated speculative news channel specials, and divided Bollywood. Call it the clash of titans or the confrontation of generations, but it is a stealth war that is being fought with iron wills, velvet gloves, and steel-edged smiles. In the Jalsa corner is the once and forever Shahenshah. In the Mannat corner Fis the Badshah. In the audience, split down the middle, are some of the most influ- ential people in the country, from the Gandhis to the Ambanis. At stake is not only the Hindi movie industry with its expanding global reach, but also the celebrity en- dorsement pie and now, television’s biggest game show. If Bachchan at 64 is ex- perimenting with his career, playing a 60-year-old in love with an 18-year-old in the soon-to-be-released Nishabd, Khan at 41 is also in change mode, playing a downhill coach of an all-girls’ hockey team in the forthcoming Chak De India. If Bachchan is endorsing 10 brands, Khan is endorsing the same number, including two which used Bachchan earlier, prompting media planning giant MindShare to commission a 110-celebrity study of brand value across six cities recently and de- voting a specific section to Bachchan versus Khan. And if Bachchan, in a bid to renegotiate his Rs 40-lakh-per-episode fee, wrote to Star Plus in July that he would not be able to honour his commitment to Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), it is Khan who has stepped in to save the day for a channel under siege from a resurgent Zee TV, with a heftier pay cheque, Rs 70 lakh per episode. It’s a rivalry that is coercing people to choose sides or if not, at least walk the tightrope very carefully. Its genesis may well be in an awards show in Dubai in 2004, when Khan tried to resolve an ugly spat between Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh and the event organisers over Bachchan’s seating. It doesn’t stop Khan from speaking to Singh even now but he says, shaking his head, “I still don’t know the truth of what happened but I would like to give the benefit of doubt to everyone involved. I accepted that situation Rs 3.15 crore Average monthly spend on Khan’s TV ads in 2006 Rs 3.49 crore Average monthly spend on Bachchan’s TV ads in 2006 Source: adEx India, a division of TAM Media Research. Figures till April 2006 JANUARY 1, 2007 ◆ INDIA TODAY 51 cover story BOLLYWOOD BANDEEP SINGH AP PHOTO INTERVIEW Clad in a YSL white vest and brown cor- Rukh Khan, or Abhishek Bachchan You can’t last so long otherwise. If duroys, Shah Rukh Khan, with a two-day- destroying X,Y,Z, and there are two you ask me, it’s all right. I wish Amitji old salt and pepper stubble (the only constants left. There’s Mr Bachchan, works till he’s 120 years old and I indication he colours his hair), is reclining on 100 per cent the longest lasting su- wish I work till I’m 65, and I’m KHAN a sofa. The 41-year-old’s at his home office, perstar and will always be. I don’t continually compared to him, which a minimalist second floor enclosure at the think I’ll ever touch that. If I do, won- means both of us are doing rather back of his landmark Mumbai home, lit up derful. And then there’s me, who’s well. I pray for him not to ever give up by Jitish Kallat’s twin paintings, and now Rs been there for 17 years, which is not work. “THERE ARE ONLY TWO 1.5 crore worth of computer systems from a short time. Q. Do these comparisons with the KBC set—complete with fastest finger, Q. But then why do Don? Why other actors irk you? audience poll and even phone a friend. He’s add to the rivalry? A. I say this sadly, but I’ve not had just finished a five-hour session with A. I’m not adding to anything. a year when somebody’s not suppos- CONSTANTS LEFT, MR Synergy CEO Siddhartha Basu. His son’s People are making millions of re- edly replacing me. It’s so strange. You friends are lounging about and his own makes. I’ve made Devdas already. get called King Khan, Badshah, King PERFECT SHOT: Khan with ‘Jaya friends have just left—Trivial Pursuit fiend There are certain films which I would of Bollywood, Shahenshah—sorry Aunty’ and ‘Mr Bachchan’ BACHCHAN AND ME” Farah Khan took two shots on the hot seat love to do. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, for Shahenshah is Amitji—and yet... while director Karan Johar, his stylist for the instance, why not? I saw Chashme The first five-six years I felt I had because I know I’m not that powerful.” show, breezed in, announcing a triumphant Buddoor yesterday. Raju Ban Gaya made it when they compared me to Within days, Khan went to the shopping expedition in London. Khan talks Gentleman was Shri 420. Baazigar Salman and Aamir. We were the Bachchan home for Holi amidst much to Executive Editor KAVEREE BAMZAI about was Trishul gone a little meaner. Why ASS—Aamir, Salman, Shah Rukh. popping of flashbulbs, and all was sup- what is at stake as he returns to his original is it that in the West we never hear of Our destinies were attached some- posed to be well. But stories from the and successful TV moorings. comparisons between two actors? how and now we’re friends. I feel ho- war front continue to keep groupies and Have you ever heard noured being gob-smacked hacks engaged. Q. So you’ve been preparing for KBC? anyone comparing compared to Mr Bac- Bachchan, an old buddy of Yash Johar A. Yes, just getting the technique right. Brad Pitt and Tom hchan also. Maybe, I and Yash Chopra (the former had pro- There’s a way the game has to be played. For Cruise? Or Sean “I WISH I WORK should not do a duced some of his films and the latter di- instance, I am not supposed to know the an- Connery or Anthony Devdas or a Don. I rected him in several legendary roles), swers. If I know it, I know it. But when some- Hopkins. TILL I’M 65, AND should just say f*** it. managed to convince Generation Next one loses, you feel bad. If they don’t win, they Q. So are you Q. What about of son Abhishek’s potential. should at least feel nice about themselves. saying we in the I’M COMPARED your association It’s quite nerve-wracking. And so far, I’ve not media are obsessed with the Gandhis hile Aditya Chopra, the man even done a trial with actual money. with this rivalry? TO AMITJI, WHICH and Mukesh who invented the romantic Raj Q. This is not the first time you’ve A. No. I am saying MEANS BOTH OF Ambani? in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le contemplated television. we as a culture like A. See, I’ve WJayenge and now the most pro- A. No. I’ve had discussions before with comparisons. known Priyanka lific filmmaker in Bollywood, took on Sameer (Nair) for an adventure show called Q. Have you ever US ARE DOING Gandhi’s husband Bachchan Junior in Dhoom and Bunty Josh, with Pradeep Guha for Zee for Kam Ya talked about it to Mr for a long time. I had Aur Babli, Karan Johar also quickly Zyada. Even, a long time ago, with Pritish Bachchan? RATHER WELL.” known her hus- signed him on in Kabhi Alvida Naa Nandy and then with Mukul Anand on a se- A. No. We’ve band’s brother eight Kehna. Khan laboured manfully as Veer ries call Dus. Ashutosh Gowariker even always ignored years before I left in Yash Chopra’s Veer-Zaara but then made the first episode for us. But everything it—by him being gracious and me Delhi. We used to ride on the same had to suffer a two-year drought—de- fell into place only for KBC. I’m shooting a being respectful. But I’m with the scooter. Does that mean I want to join spite showing an interest in Bunty Aur film for the next six months in Mumbai. It’s family. I go there out of turn. I go politics? When I meet Mukesh Am- Babli as well as in the villain’s role in my own production. Farah (Khan) is direct- there on birthdays, Abhishek comes bani, does that mean I want to make Dhoom 2—before Aditya Chopra gave ing. The set is ready. It’s in Film City, bang home. We spent some time in steel, or iron or whatever? I like him Chak De India, a role first offered to opposite Star’s KBC set. The KBC format is Malaysia recently and Abhishek very Lakshmi Mittal. When he was in Goa, Salman Khan. During this time, Khan already there—a clear-cut, successful, sweetly gave me tips on KBC. And I he left his boat for a day for my kids also had to tolerate the return of Aamir classy, wonderful formula, whether it’s be- find it strange that I have to clarify my to jet ski.