Is Akshay Kumar's Stardom a Benchmark for Shah Rukh Khan?

The age-old question of whether any actor can ever gain stardom like Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) has recently resurfaced, especially with the current standings of Hindi cinema's two biggest stars, Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan. While SRK still commands a substantial following, Akshay Kumar has already surpassed him in terms of social media influence and box office earnings. Let us delve into the details that support this claim.

The Current Standing of Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan

As of now, Akshay and Salman have the highest fan following in India. SRK's fan count trails behind them by a noticeable margin. After the 2020 pandemic, Akshay’s post-COVID box office performance has been exceptional, with three movies opening in the 2-digit range, showing a consistent growth in popularity. In contrast, SRK’s last hit film, Raees, grossed over 100 crores, but this was six years ago. This indicates a significant decline in SRK’s stardom since then.

The Social Media Popularity

Akshay Kumar has emerged as the most followed Asian actor on social media, with over 132.5 million followers across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This unparalleled social media popularity has solidified his leading position in the Bollywood ecosystem.

The Forbes Rankings

According to Forbes, Akshay Kumar is the Highest Paid Indian Actor and the 6th Highest Paid Actor in the World. He also holds the distinction of being the 4th Highest Paid Asian Actor. These achievements have consolidated his standing as an industry leader, surpassing SRK in terms of earnings and recognition.

The Transition of Brand Value

Academically, Akshay Kumar’s brand value surpasses that of SRK. He has consistently delivered back-to-back hits since 2007, making box office records that are equivalent to or even surpassing SRK’s. In 2007, for example, Akshay’s Welcome earned more than SRK’s Chak De India and Om Shanti Om. Since then, every year has seen Akshay deliver high-grossing films, while SRK’s box office record has been on a declining trajectory, with only one hit film in the last six years, Raees, despite multiple attempts to regain his former stardom.

The Recent Trends in Box Office Collections

Since the late 2000s, Akshay Kumar has continued to dominate the box office, proving his staying power and enduring stardom. In 2012, Akshay’s films like Housefull 2, OMG, and Rowdy Rathore delivered significant earnings, while SRK struggled with only one hit, Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Moreover, after 2016, Akshay has consistently churned out successful films, while SRK has largely failed, marked by flops like Om Shanti Om, Fan, and Chmitti. Akshay’s recent film, 2.0, has again confirmed his dominance, while Salman Khan and Aamir Khan are still trying to bounce back.

Conclusion

Akshay Kumar has already achieved the stardom and audience recognition that SRK currently struggles to retain. His consistent performance in the box office and social media presence have made him a more contemporary and relevant figure than SRK in today’s Hindi cinema landscape. While SRK’s legacy remains undeniably strong, Akshay’s ongoing success suggests he has levelled the playing field regarding stardom and box office dominance.