Shahrukh Khan and the History of Diwali Clashes!

It would not be wrong to state that SRK’s superstardom has been scripted mostly due to the festival of lights. Long before other superstars could claim their stake on the Diwali festivity, the ‘Baadshah of Bollywood’ has lent the auspicious festival his box office vigour. Yash Chopra’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan will be his 10th (Yes, you read it right) Diwali release in his illustrious career spanning more than two decades.

His earlier Diwali releases were Baazigar (1993), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000), Veer Zaara (2004), Don (2006), Om Shanti Om (2007) and Ra.One (2011). All of these movies have created history in one way or the other. SRK’s foolproof 100% Diwali record raises the stakes for his upcoming release Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

What makes the record all the more special, is the fact that he has won all the major clashes, with several other biggies that competed against his film. Below mentioned is the list of SRK’s historic Diwali clashes.

• Kuch Kuch Hota Hai – Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998): A dream David Dhawan project starring Amitabh Bachchan – Govinda with superhit music clashed with an SRK rom-com Kuch Kuch Hota Hai directed by debutant Karan Johar. Both films did well eventually but Kuch Kuch Hota Hai overshadowed the comic caper and went on to become an ‘All Time Blockbuster’ breaking many records.
• Mohabbatein – Mission Kashmir (2000): Hrithik Roshan was a national-craze after the mega success of Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. On the other hand SRK’s releases in 2000, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Josh, failed to live upto expectations. But his never-say-die spirit resurfaced again as Aditya Chopra’s Mohabbatein became a blockbuster. Mission Kashmir got a bigger initial but failed to sustain at the box office.
• Veer Zaara / Aitraaz / Mughal-E-Azam / Naach (2004): Yash Chopra’s Veer Zaara emerged the first choice for cinegoers for Diwali 2004 ahead of Abbas Mustan’s Aitraaz, the colored version of Mughal-E-Azam and Ram Gopal Varma’s Naach. Though Aitraaz and Mughal-E-Azam turned out to be an average grossers, Naach was a disaster. Veer Zaara went on to be the biggest hit of the year.
• Don – Jaan-E-Mann (2006): This was a biggie – Shahrukh Khan’s Don squared up against Salman and Akshay Kumar’s Jaan-e-mann. The result? SRK won yet again. Although Jaan-e-Mann was a well made film with melodious music, it failed to match the might of the Don.
• Om Shanti Om – Saawariya (2007): Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om clashed with master director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya. The later’s film was much-hyped, as it was the launch vehicle of two star kids Ranbir and Sonam Kapoor. Pre-release, SRK promised to ‘destroy’ Saawariya.. which he eventually did as OSO went on to be the biggest grosser of year, while Saawariya tanked after a good initial.

Last year too witnessed a clash, but one that was much smaller in scale. Ra One released with two smaller films Damadamm  and Tell Me O Khudda.

Now, the big question – Shahrukh Khan is all set to take on Ajay Devgan this year, as Jab Tak Hai Jaan clashes with Son of Sardaar. The scenario is slightly different this year – action comedies are raking in the moolah at the box-office, while several romantic films have failed to make a mark. Also, SOS is a remake of a very successful south Indian film. The odds are once again stacked against SRK..

Can Shahrukh make it 10 in a row for Diwali? What will be the outcome of the 2012 Diwali Clash? Vote now!

Abhishek Sharma

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