Salman Khan is this century's Big B

Dabangg 2 has lived up to the challenge. Against all detractors, cynics and mischief mongers, Khan brothers (Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan) have won the battle, and how. The film opened on a fantastic note, stayed consistent, showed further rise on Christmas and then enjoyed steady collections on rest of the weekdays as well. Result? More than 107 crores coming in a matter of one week, hence resulting in a film which is a clear superhit already.

With the film's success, Salman is currently enjoying the kind of streak that no other actor of his generation or anyone else for that matter in last 20 years has ever enjoyed. Yes, Shah Rukh Khan has been consistent,Aamir Khan has enjoyed a peak season as well whileAkshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn have delivered hits at regular intervals as well. However last man before Salman who gave five superhits/blockbusters in a row (and that too in such gargantuan proportion) has been only one man – Amitabh Bachchan!

Now is the time for me to actually make this declaration: Salman Khan in the 21st century has turned out to be what Amitabh Bachchan was in the 20th century! The current generation, which perhaps missed out on the euphoria that Big B once enjoyed, is fortunate to see phenomenon up, close and personal. As for those who have been a witness to Bachchan's popularity, and before that perhaps Rajesh Khanna, Rajendra Kumar or Dilip Kumar, it is an event of a lifetime which has turned out to be reality two times over.

Salman Khan has turned out to be the greatest entertainer of the current era and that's a reason big enough to relish and cherish!

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder