Shah Rukh Khan + Salman Khan = A Winning Formula

MUMBAI: Some are calling it the beginning of the resolution of Bollywood's biggest crisis. Others insist that this is a brand new phase in the 'Khan' tales of Bollywood. Whichever way we look at it, Bollywood stands to benefit infinitely by the end of the Shah Rukh-Salman "cold war".

Both actors have been superstars in their own right, ever since they entered the film industry. Growing from strength to strength, it seemed inevitable that the two, along with Aamir Khan, would rule the roost as far as Box Office was concerned. And rule, they have: with the 'Khan triumvirate' being the most successful trio of superstars in the big, bad world of Bollywood.

Over time, the Salman and Shah Rukh were known to be thick friends. Their camaraderie might have begun on the sets of films like 'Karan Arjun', but the two ensured they maintained the friendship along the way, even starring in cameos in each other's films. However, with friendship came the big feud, which split Bollywood into two distinct camps.

In mid-2008, at Salman's then girlfriend Katrina Kaif's birthday party at Olive, the infamous war erupted over seemingly insignificant issues. The fracas escalated to such a point, that the two even had a heated exchange and have not seen eye-to-eye since then.

It's been five long years, an eternity during which Salman and Shah Rukh both have grown into Box Office megaliths. While Shah Rukh Khan tasted sweet success with super hit upon super hit, like 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' (2008), 'My Name is Khan' (2010), 'Ra.One' and 'Don 2' in 2011, and 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' last year, the King Khan looks set to break box office records with his 2013 release 'Chennai Express'.

Salman Khan too has seen a glorious run at the ticketing windows, ever since the infamous pow-wow with his then arch-nemesis Shah Rukh Khan. Salman's second innings in Bollywood has been nothing short of a miracle, transforming him into a sort of Box Office Messiah.

Salman Khan's second super-successful stint in Bollywood (after a spate of flops) began in 2009, with his super hit action flick 'Wanted'. But Salman really came into his own with the now genre-inducing cult classic cop caper 'Dabangg' in late 2010, which has since spawned a generation of me-too type imitations. Subsequently, Salman Khan has delivered hit upon hit, with blockbusters like 'Ready', 'Bodyguard' (2011), 'Ek Tha Tiger' (2012) and 'Dabangg 2'.

With SRK and Salman seemingly burying the hatchet now, by openly acknowledging and hugging one another at an Iftar party last night, the road ahead for two of Bollywood's biggest superstars looks paved with love and light.

One certainly hopes that the end of their personal rivalry spells a revived round of professional camaraderie. Perhaps the day will not be far away when the two put the past animosity behind them, and agree to co-star together in a film, making it a sure shot winner in terms of box office collections.

Audiences too are greatly enthused and excited to see what comes of this thawing of the cold vibes between SRK-Salman, and whether a sequel to Rakesh Roshan's super hit 'Karan Arjun' is on the anvil. All we can say is, wait and watch!