Salman vs Shah Rukh: Warring Khan camps demonstrate friendly vibes

A spat between actors Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan at actor Katrina Kaif’s birthday party a few years ago clearly polarised the industry into two Khan factions. If Salman had actor Aamir Khan on his side, then actor Hrithik Roshan clearly seemed to prefer to be with SRK. But those close to the warring Khans insist that the lines between the two camps are now becoming hazy.

Says an insider, “While Salman has the support of actors who have been his pals for years, SRK has had the support of his director friends. But of late, Salman is becoming quite popular amongst SRK camp members.  The reasons could be anything. The fact that his reputation as a loyal friend precedes him, or it could be the fact that he’s reigning at the box-office in a big way. But as things stand now, Khan camps may soon be a thing of the past.”

Industry experts feel that industry equations are ruled by the BO figures. “It’s becoming very commercial, and everyone wants to make money. The competition has hotted up with the inclusion of ` 100-crore-plus club. And who would want to get on the wrong side of its members? Actors are therefore playing safe by not being part of any certain camp,” adds a trade pundit.

Another school of thought stresses that the industry is not just about the Khans. “Actors like Hrithik, Akshay Kumar and Ranbir Kapoor have their own standing. They are in the race too, and would want to strengthen their positions in the industry as well,” they say.

Seconding that the lines between the Khan camps are blurring, a source close to one of the Khans says, “Times change, situations change, people change. What’s wrong with that? Besides, there’s a popular saying in the world of films —there’s no room for permanent friends or enemies.”

So, if Salman’s protegee Katrina is acting opposite SRK in Yash Chopra’s next, then SRK’s find actor Deepika Padukone has evinced interest in doing a film with Salman. Does that mean the day is not far when Shah Rukh and Salman too bury their differences and move on?