Amitabh Bachchan tops Screen Survey 2013,Shah Rukh Khan at No. 2

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 commerce part of 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 a 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

What’s in a name?

Plenty if showbiz tags are anything to go by. Here’s looking

at a few star tags

Dilip Kumar

Tragedy King

Dilip Kumar was called the Tragedy King for his portrayal of sensitive and heart-wrenching characters in a career spanning six decades and over 60 films. He was also described as

‘the ultimate method actor’ by Satyajit Ray.

Dharmendra

Garam Dharam

He was the original He-Man of Bollywood. Dharmendra,who ruled the industry in the sixties to the eighties,became synonymous for his rugged good looks. In his films,he would rescue damsels in distress and fight a volley of villains. All these got earned him the sobriquet,Garam Dharam was conferred on him by his fans.

Hema Malini

Dream Girl

Hema Malini made her acting debut in Sapno Ka Saudagar in 1968 as a young girl. She later came to be known as the Dream Girl for her beauty and gentle smile. Hema Malini even starred in a film with the same name,with Dharmendra as her hero.

Helen

Cabaret Queen

Helen got her dancing break in 1958 when she performed the song Mera naam Chin Chin Chu in Shakti Samanta’s film Howrah Bridge. Since then she has danced to several cabaret numbers thus creating a record for herself.

Hrithik Roshan

Greek God

Hrithik Roshan came to be known as the Greek God for his drop-dead good looks and chiselled body. With a lean and muscular body and washboard abs,the actor comes across as a complete package!

Jeetendra

Jumping Jack

The handsome-looking Jeetendra was rechristened ‘Jumping Jack’ for his fast-paced dance moves which is often described as aerobic exercise. A complete entertainer,he was a charmer with his innumerable skills,charming looks,dancing moves and impeccable acting. Though the industry has seen numerous heroes following in his footsteps,he still remains the best.