Last month there were media reports that quoted Sajid Nadiadwala doing the impossible in bringing the Khan Troika of Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan in one film. They are the biggest superstars of the current generation and box office will go for a killing if ever this project goes ahead. Each of them have their own personality and charisma and also have their own fan following. Can a filmmaker really do justice to all three of them in one film? Whether the story will be an original one or a remake, it will require adjustments to the script because none of the three Khans are known to easily give the green light to projects where their role is not significant.
We did hear the story will be more like an old classic ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ (1977) but Amitabh Bachchan as Anthony had the best role and he had more scenes than other two actors Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khannna in the film. The multiple cast films with big stars have been made in Bollywood and have also been successful. But the three biggest superstars in one film with all three equal screen space will be a challenge. Considering the fan base of each of the Khans, it would require a tight script to not disappoint the fans. Yash Chopra directed ‘Waqt’ (1965) was one of best classic multi-starrers. But again Raaj Kumar and Sunil Dutt had more scenes than Shashi Kapoor. Also a great actor like Balraj Sahini was seen much at initial reels of the film. The focus was more on Raaj Kumar and Sunil Dutt in the story. Yash Chopra ‘Kaala Pathar’ (1979) with Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha and Shashi Kapoor had good roles for all three of them. Maybe Amitabh Bachchan had more scenes than the other two but the roles played by Shatrughan Sinha and Shashi Kapoor had strong roles and left their impact in the film. This movie could be better choice for three Khans to come together. There is no doubt Salman Khan should reprise the role of Shatrughan Sinha. It’s confusing between Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan to play Amitabh Bachchan role. But Shah Rukh Khan Khan will be best suited for Shashi Kapoor’s role in the film as he could add his charm to the character.
‘Rajput’ (1982), starring Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna and Vinod Khanna had a good role for all three actors but will this film be accepted in today’s time. Similarly for ‘Jaani Dushmani’ (1979), with Sunil Dutt, Shatrughan Sinha, Sanjeev Kumar and Jeetendra. It was a very popular film during its own time but its remake in today’s time might not work.
We have another Amitabh Bachchan film ‘Shaan’ (1980) with Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha and also Sunil Dutt in a special appearance. It will be difficult to fit the three Khans in one film with unequal roles. If you look most of Amitabh Bachchan’s multi-starrers during his peak time, they had him having more screen space than other stars in the film until it was with Dharmendra in ‘Sholay’ (1975), ‘Chupke Chupke’ (1975) and ‘Ram Balram’ (1980) had both of them sharing equal screen space. Dilip Kumar in ‘Kranti’ (1981) was a monumental film with Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor and Shatrughan Sinha starring in it. But again, the main focus was Dilip Kumar and Manoj Kumar in the story.
Bollywood’s greatest hit ‘Sholay’ could be apt story for all three Khans coming together but they should not make any changes to the story of the film. Otherwise you will have a ‘Ramgopal Varma Ki Aag’ (2007) disaster. ‘Sholay’ should be made in the same style as it was made years back. Aamir Khan playing the role of Thakur played by Sanjeev Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan reprising the role of Jai played by Amitabh Bachchan would be complete justice for these two great actors. Salman Khan will be apt as Veeru in Dharmendra’s shoes. Finding Gabbar Singh for the film will be a bigger challenge.
No doubt, it will be pure excitement for all to watch them on screen together. The story should give justice to all three actors. Whether Sajid Nadiadwala can pull this out, only time will tell. At the moment, everything remains at a speculation level.
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