Shah Rukh Khan continues to hold fort at second position as one of the biggest brands in Bollywood, even as his films go on a record breaking express at the box-office.
If there's Amitabh Bachchan, can Shah Rukh Khan be far behind?
The names of Bollywood's two most iconic actors are often taken in the same breath.
Also read: Amitabh Bachchan tops Screen Survey 2013, has the biggest brand value
According to the survey, 14 per cent feel that Shah Rukh khan has the biggest brand value as an actor after Amitabh Bachchan in Screen Survey 2013.
Instrumental in making Bollywood brand conscious in the late 90s, his audience have no doubt about what makes this one-time television sensation tick on the big screen!
Also read:
Screen Survery 2013: Salman Khan at No. 3, scores on his charisma
What sets Brand shah Rukh Khan apart from the rest, according to the survey, are qualities like being Articulate (18%), Passionate (16%), Intelligence (10%), Hardworking (9%) and Fitness (8%). He also scores high on Wit (7%) among the actors. They also see a streak of the Maverick (2%) in him.
His audience also recognise in the actor an astute businessman (6%) who is fearless as he dabbles in film production (first Dreams Unlimited, now Red Chillies), runs one of the most successful VFX studios in India, owns a cricket team (Kolkata Knight Riders) in the IPL and has a stake in Kidzania, an indoor theme park.
As much as he's in the spotlight for his various ventures, the actor has also seen biggest failures (Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Asoka) and the biggest hits (Om Shanti Om and Chennai Express) in film-making as well as cricket, where his team was derided for poor on-field performance for three seasons till it picked up in the fourth.
Shah Rukh Khan, who's often touted to be the world's biggest movie star (said to be 'more popular than Tom Cruise') revels in being an entertainer.
He's struck a perfect balance in synergising his passion for cinema with the commercof the entertainment business.
One of the most recognisable Indian face around the world, he has a massive fan following in places like UK, Germany, South Asia and the Middle-East countries.
The undisputed romantic star in Bollywood, he is also known for his stage shows abroad, has a perfume named after him, hailed as the biggest brand in India by Forbes, has several awards to his credit except for National Awards and makes no bones of wanting to own an Oscar, someday .
With this drive and energy, it's not surprising that 18 per cent see Shah Rukh Khan as the next best brand ambassador after Amitabh Bachchan to represent Bollywood on a global platform!
TRIVIA
*Shah Rukh Khan was dubbed by the Los Angeles Times as the world's biggest movie star' in 2011.
*Aditya Chopra's film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), which starred Shah Rukh Khan opposite Kajol, is said to be biggest grosser in Indian film and the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema. It's still screened at Maratha Mandir.
*Dil Se, his film with Mani Ratnam, became the first Indian film to enter the UK top ten at the box-office.
*He earned the tag of Brand SRK' for endorsing the highest number of brands, which reached upto 34 in 2009.
*The net savvy Khan enjoys a massive following on social networking sites " Twitter (4,996,308) and Facebook (4,576,348).
BRAND SPEAK
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan on key strengths and his brand of entertainment: "I would say that I am affable, forthcoming and happy-go-lucky. I have tried to make people happy. I have never tried to handle myself as a brand or anything, I just try to please people with what I do. Whether it is my movies, IPL team or Kidzania, I feel I should touch the lives of the end user. I want to touch their lives in a positive way. They should feel good about watching a Shah Rukh Khan film.
As for the opportunity to make money, I don't think short term. Whether it is my VFX business, or any other, they all have part
long gestation period but that's all right. My businesses are, in a way, an extension of myself. I like sports, I like VFX or films " so the 3-4 areas of likeness, I lean towards that. I don't indulge. I don't think the business should be done just for the money.
Kidzania is for the children. I like it too though of course I have to bring the money for the business " dance at
weddings and so on. I try to back it up as much without loans, till the time that they are able to pay for themselves.
As an actor, I like to believe that I am radically different even though people say that I keep doing the same things.
Chennai Express is a complete turnaround from My Name Is Khan; I don't bore people with my acting talent but I am fine with taking a risk. I like being called the King or Badshah not because I believe I am one but for my love and passion for both cinema and my audience. Audiences (across the world that follow different languages) have that generosity of spirit to recognise it.
If there is an opportunity, I get into it whole-heartedly. If my distributors and exhibitors say say let's do this, let's go to Hungary', I will give it a shot. It stems from the fact that I want to see Indian cinema in all parts of the world. Austria, Germany, South Africa and Morocco have already opened
up and I hope I am able to expand the market for Indian films even further. "
" as told to Priyanka Sinha Jha
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