“Lekin hamari jagah lega kaun? Humein hi karna padega bhai, bachhon pe nahin chhod sakte!” This banter between actors Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in the post-credits scene of the record-breaking movie Pathaan has made fans go gaga. But, what may seem like an innocent conversation between two seasoned spies, Pathaan and Tiger, may actually be hinting at the larger picture — the future of Bollywood and the era of superstardom.

The answer, in some ways, lies in what Pathaan has done. Apart from breaking records and setting some, the major reason cited everywhere is that people thronged theatres to witness their King of Romance, Shah Rukh, turn into an action hero. Compare this to the chatter about how his career was deemed to be over up until now. 

Ever since a few films starring these biggies didn’t work, people started saying their time is over. Content became the hot word, especially with OTT coming in. 

However, Abhishek Pathak, who co-produced and directed Ajay Devgn’s hit, Drishyam 2 (2022) says, “Content and superstars together can fly so high. Obviously, content will only take you so far. Eventually, the star makes everything work. No one could have imagined Pathaan or Drishyam 2 without them (Shah Rukh and Ajay). Stars will never go away.”

“Superstars of the 90s can never be written off. Unfortunately, people are quick to write their obituaries after a film flops. They are a part of every star’s life. Ditto for SRK. Look how he bounced back. I can say that his name alone can sell tickets,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh. 

Aamir Khan’s last film, Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), may not have worked, but his previous hits such as Dangal (2016) and 3 Idiots (2009) are proof of his fan base. According to filmmaker R Balki, SRK’s example is an exception. “A star like SRK is very rare. When he goes away for four years, people want to see him. I don’t know the broad classification of superstars, this is the case of one person here,” he says.

Adarsh says there are very few who have it in them, such as actor Ranbir Kapoor, but it will take them time. Whereas, trade expert Atul Mohan points out how some actors start calling themselves “superstars” after one or two hits.

The definition of a superstar isn’t just limited to box-office numbers; it has to do with impact they create on the audience. Manoj Desai, executive director, G7 multiplex and Maratha Mandir cinema, says, “Public ke dil mein jagah honi chahiye. Jo aam aadmi pe beet rahi hai, agar usse woh star connect kar paaye, toh log kehte hain, ‘Arre yeh toh meri kahaani hai’.”

R Balki, who has worked with the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan, among others, says, “It is a person whom you are willing to pay money to watch; it is that simple!”