Sallu, Srk and Aamir Battle it out this Winter

It's not every year we see the three Khans battle it out at the Box Office. Although each movie mogul Khan has had their own slot for movie release time, this winter all three raise the stakes to bring their features simultaneously. With Jab Tak Hai Jaan taking over Diwali, Talaash following shortly after and Dabangg 2 being the flavour of Christmas, it's going to be choices galore for fans and a gust of entertainment for Bollywood enthusiasts around the world. Let's see what these two months have got in store for us.

First up it's the highly awaited and embroiled in controversy Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Yash Chopra's last film as director and his labour of love is a quintessential Yashraj epic romance with two gorgeous leading ladies Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif in the lead. While the film is high on expectations due to King Khan bringing back romance on screen, rigorous promotions and stellar production value, the film has been getting a lot of flak from fans for the unusual choice of Katrina as a Yashraj leading lady, and the first time collaboration with AR Rahman has resulted in the music of the film getting mixed responses. The film also spurred controversy and tragedy from the get-go. With Yash Chopra's untimely demise and one song left for shooting, fans were disappointed that they wouldn't see Switzerland in the frames of the film. As the film awaits release, Ajay Devgn Films and the makers of Son of Sardar (also set to release on the same day as of now) filed a lawsuit against Yashraj. With Ajay Devgan and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead, SOS is being touted as stiff competition for the Badshah and may bring the numbers significantly down. But JTHJ might still work due to the Yash Chopra and SRK tag.

Next is Excel and Reliance Entertainment's Talaash. A psychological thriller starring Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor, this is Reema Kagti's second feature after the debacle of Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. While Talaash has the advantage of an extremely prolific crew, Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani and Aamir Khan as producers, and Zoya Akhtar as co-writer and a talented cast, the film's hatke storyline and treatment might hinder the single screen audience from setting the box office on fire. The film's unusual yet soulful music by Ram Sampath has been well received and almost every film that Aamir has done in the past few years has crossed the 100 crore mark. However, Reema Kagti's previous venture has left many sceptical. Hopefully Aamir's presence will work its magic.

The year will close with Sallu Bhai's much awaited sequel to his blockbuster Dabangg. The film will see Salman return as the beloved Chulbul Pandey, a police officer with strange ways and a heart of gold. The film has carefully been kept under wraps and not too many details of the film have been revealed but while most of the main cast excluding Sonu Sood will reprise their roles, Southern superstar Prakash Raj will play the main antagonist. To give competition to 2010's Munni, this time Kareena Kapoor is all set to sizzle in 'Fevicol.' This time the producer of the film Arbaaz Khan will don the director's cap as well. Nothing seems to be going wrong for Dabangg except that it will clash with the Indo-Pak Cricket Series which might put a stopper to initial collections.

All three Khans have made it big in terms of numbers the past decade. The top all time worldwide grossers are monopolised by Aamir on Number 1 with 3 Idiots (385 crore), Salman on Number 2 with Ek Tha Tiger (307 crore), Bodyguard (230 crore) and Dabangg (215 crore) and Shah Rukh on Number 3 with Don 2 (206 crore), Ra.One (202 crore) and My Name is Khan (200 crore).

While Salman is now slow, steady and rising with the numbers, Aamir still rules the roost with 3 Idiots and SRK has a consistent box office and immense worldwide fan following to his name.

With all the three Khans stepping into the battleground this winter, it's going to be one showdown we will never forget. Till then we hope that numbers and collections aside, its entertainment that is consistent.

Which Khan will take the Winner's Cup? What do you think?

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