For years, the two titans of the Hindi Film Industry have been Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, literally defining ‘Stardom in Bollywood.’ However, they seem to be losing their box office power and the types of movies they offer have started questioning their relevance and what the future of Indian Cinema holds.
Salman Khan: From Blockbuster King to Box Office Struggles
Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan both seemed to struggle at the same time. Salman Khan has always had his fair share of career-defining highs and dramatic lows. He became a household name starting with the show “Bigg Boss” and hit movies like, “Wanted”, “Dabangg” and “Tiger Zinda Hai” which showcased his action and emotional rollercoaster prowess. Through this time, the number of ₹300 crore plus grossers and a popularity share of 45% was remarkable.
Nevertheless, everything changed after 2018. Out of his six theatrical releases since then, only Tiger 3 surpassed the ₹200 crore milestone. More recent films like Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023) and Sikandar (2025) barely cleared the ₹100 crore mark, indicating a significant drop in his box office appeal. This drop is also reflected in likability metrics of content. OPR and share of popularity are marked at less than 25%, a dramatic reduction from his peak years.
The problems go further than just the Box office. The failure of Sikandar has resulted in the shelving of several high profile projects, including the biopic on the Indian spy Ravindra Kaushik and a collaboration with director Atlee. While Salman continues to explore new paths, the general sentiment in the industry is that he requires a complete overhaul— likely more character-driven roles suitable for his age and legacy, like the ones he performed in Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan.
Shah Rukh Khan: Peaks and Troughs of His Career
SRK’s journey has been equally notable, having gone through commercially successful periods and critically acclaimed ones. Amidst a dry spell of underperformers such as Zero (2018) and Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017), SRK witnessed a drastic revival in 2023 with back-to-back blockbusters: Pathaan (₹544 crore) and Jawan (₹644 crore) which reaffirmed his box office prowess.
Still, alongside SRK‘s triumphs, his filmography tells another story. Out of 67 releases, SRK has 24 recorded flops, giving a success rate of roughly 64% when hits and average performers are combined. This volatility brings light to the obstacles even megastars struggle with when industry standards are constantly changing.
In regard to the emotional impact such failures have had on SRK personally, he has always been vocal on the topic. Speaking openly about the emotional toll of box office failures and the resilience needed to endure such phases proves that failure has deeply hurt him. SRK’s openness about vulnerability and willingness to reflect suggests that he still seeks balance between legacy and reinvention.
The Impact of New Technology on Look
The difficulties faced by Salman and Shah Rukh Khan reveal underlying shifting dynamics within Bollywood. Viewers are looking for new content, entirely different faces, stories that go beyond the typical star-centric formula. Streaming services, along with the growth of unconventional films, have further splintered the industry, making it harder for even the most established names to guarantee box office hits.
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Final Thoughts
Both Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan remain influential icons with tried and true fanbases, which means they can’t be completely ignored. However, both of their recent trajectories reveal a need to adapt. Active reinvention and carefully curated project choices alongside the embrace of newer forms of storytelling may determine whether they are still able to serve the movies and audiences as they did before, or if their era is coming to an end.
Writer : Pranjal Bapna