No place for permanent foes

Salman Khan praised his ‘rival’ Shah Rukh Khan on a yet-to-be-aired episode of his reality show. DNA asks experts and Mumbaikars whether film rivalries and so called ‘fights’ and ‘patch ups’ are for real, or just publicity stunts.

I believe film rivalries are genuine and not publicity stunts  
I would not generalise whether all film rivalries are genuine or fake. The issue is different in every case. Some actors like to create unnecessary controversy by making sensational comments. But the incident of Salman Khan praising Shah Rukh Khan on the upcoming episode of 10 ka Dum seems quite real. Salman is a great actor and a good human. I don't think he has done this for publicity or to create any controversy. On the other hand, I would not trust if SRK had done something similar. 
—Manish Bora

Only mediocre actors will resort to gimmicks to be in limelight
Sometimes film rivalries are real because even film stars are human and a misunderstanding can always happen. But on many occasions, they are publicity stunts. Sometime even a small argument is made out to be a big rivalry. Only a Rakhi Sawant will resort to stunts on 'reality' shows. As for Salman and Shah Rukh, both don't need to go in for such gimmicks to get publicity. These acts are put on by small-time actors who are hungry for limelight. 
—Garima Sahney

Both are good actors and vying for the top slot, so it makes news 
I don't believe that film rivalries are for real. Usually it’s the PR machinery that gets working on creating all this hype. These 'quarrels' are stunts. Anything related to the Khans is going to catch the attention of the media and is certain to make big news. But it is surprising that reticent actors usually hit the town before a major film release. I can't comment whether these 'walkabouts' are genuine. But one thing is certain, both actors are vying for the top slot, which they can't share.  
—Siddhi Kundar

Fights before film release is a common trend now
Why do we pay heed to such unnecessary things and create a controversy? Film rivalries are genuine or not cannot be decided as people don’t know all the facts. It's a known fact that before a film hits the screens, there are rumours of co-stars having a dalliance. This is a regular happening now. Once the film is out, the stories about their relationship fade from public memory. Some fights and controversies are a part of the publicity package. Salman Khan seems to have made a genuine comment. We will have to wait and watch how the other Khan responds to it.
—Raima Rao

Equations between actors never stay the same for long
Salman Khan is portrayed as a bad human being by the media. We forget that he has always been a genuine person who speaks his heart — on or off camera. Therefore, I’m sure what he said about Shah Rukh Khan was his professional opinion. People usually don't get the true picture since different media channels sensationalise the event to increase their TRPs. We shouldn't be paying any attention to this 'bickering' since their equation keeps changing.  
—Manisha Sharma

Bickering like this gets noticed, courtesy star-crazy media
Film rivalries could be real, in case of Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi. But many other 'fights' could be just be fake or blown out of proportion. Whether the fights are real or fake, they get undue publicity, due to the media. There may be some actors who need to get noticed. Hence if other stunts don't work, then such comments are the best platform to get noticed. The fights and patch ups that we see may be real, but not always.
—Amar Sanghvi

Expert View

Earlier jealousy hardly spilled out in public

Rivalry among professionals is not new and it happens with all actors and stars. Fights and misunderstandings have happened in the past between the big stars. The film industry is a creative medium and in this field, difference of opinion is bound to occur. Personally I wouldn't call this particular incident a publicity stunt, until they appoint their PR to publicise it in the media.

Earlier the rivalry would exist, but it hardly came out in public domain. Today due to the popularity of newspapers, magazines and film publications catering to Page three-type of news and gossip, such items get known fast. Today with the proliferation of media, all mediums of news play up such information to grab their audience. Salman and Shah Rukh are both super stars and they don't need such cheap publicity to be in the media. Their good work and years of experience in the industry has already given them a huge fan following. I don't think Salman’s statement is a stunt. This is because he is extremely frank and he doesn’t hesitate to do plain-speaking.
—Jyothi Venkatesh, film journalist

Healthy competition exists in every field

Rivalries have always existed among high profile individuals. It can be seen on and off everywhere, whether it is the field of business, films or politics. It never dies in this world. But bitterness among rivals never remains the same. Time is a great healer and it has repaired the relations, it also dilutes the intensity of rivalry. Every time praising rivals may not be genuine, but it’s good to say the right things especially in public domain. In the case of Salman Khan, I can say he has maintained his dignity by praising Shah Rukh. But it is also true that this kind of rivalry comes in public domain for publicity.
–Amod Mehra, trade consultant