However, social observers do point to one difference. Whether is it Sangam, Yaarana, Dostana, Qurbani and, of course, Sholay, sacrifice has been the ultimate test and enduring hallmark of the male friendship in Bollywood. According to anthropologist Shiv Vishwanathan: “In the films of the ’70s and ’80s, the friends were condemned to sacrifice. It was almost a duty relationship. You either had to die for each other or give up your love for your best friend.”

Not so, the new age friendship. The 21st century celluloid buddies know how to have a good time. They simply hang out and talk to each other, like the Dil Chahta Hai gang. “You can live for the new age friendship, you don’t have to die for it. The punitive aspect of friendship is gone from Hindi cinema. It is now celebratory and light-hearted without being over intense or sacrificial in nature,” adds Vishwanathan.

And so, even though Riteish is Abhishek’s best friend in 2005’s Bluffmaster, it does not stop him from pulling a fast one on his friend to teach him a lesson. Just like Akshay Kumar and John Abraham in Garam Masala, who may be great friends, will stop at nothing to win over the girls, even if it means trying to outdo each other.

Directors say that this has to do with changing times. When Sanjay Gadhvi, director of Dhoom, created the two friends Jai (Abhishek Bachchan) and Ali (Uday Chopra), the humour arose from the situation of putting the serious guy (Abhishek) and the funny guy (Uday) together, as they try to catch a thief and the contrast in their natures. Much like the contrast between Jai and Veeru of Sholay. In the upcoming movie Dhoom 2, he will further develop the relationship further. “In this installment, Ali is like part of the family, he hangs out at their house. Yes, the relationship has a light-hearted tinge, but if need be, Ali would gladly take a bullet for his friend. As filmmakers we realise that now, the public would probably cringe if we show that one friend is dying in the lap of his best friend. So, we have to package it differently, but the essence of friendship hasn’t changed.”