The Akshay vs SRK race: Neck & neck

With Singh is Kinng breaking all records at the Bollywood box office, Akshay Kumar is riding a new high. Speak Up asks movie-goers if he has grabbed the top spot from Shah Rukh Khan yet

Akshay has carved a distinct space for himself
Akshay has used his public image to his advantage. He gained reputation as the Bollywood actor who performed his own stunts. Akshay has done creditably well in comic flicks such as Welcome, Hey Baby and so on. Khatron Ke Khiladi has helped him enhance his image. He has created his own space in Bollywood and I do not think that it would be fair to compare him with Shahrukh Khan. Akshay has the kind of macho look that SRK doesn't possess. His latest film is a big hit and still arousing a lot of interest but you cannot deny the fact that the controversies surrounding Singh Is Kinng also boosted its performance.
 —Jayshree Sanadhya

Singh is Kinng has catapulted him into the top league
Akshay is an amazing actor and can carry off any kind of role with ease. He is the biggest threat to Shah Rukh Khan after the huge success of Singh Is Kinng at the box-office. Akshay has a much better onscreen persona as compared to Shah Rukh. The latter is a more versatile actor who has performed a wide array of roles.

Considering the fact that the movie business is doing well in India, Akshay's movies will definitely be a hit at the box-office. Khatron Ke Khiladi is doing well because it has a unique concept and not because of Akshay, who is pathetic as a TV host. Shah Rukh's Kya Aap Panchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? is not doing well because the concept is outdated.
 —Manisha Sharma

SRK has yet to risk a small banner or a variety of roles
I believe that nothing succeeds like success. Singh Is Kinng is a big hit at the box-office and Akshay is going to reap the benefits of the glory. He does have the ability to engage the people who watch certain genre of movies. He is appealing to the masses. Also, he is a versatile actor and can perform different roles with ease. With four successes in a row, he is surely got an advantage over other actors as people go to watch his movies presuming that it is going to be a hit. Unlike Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay has successfully acted in movies that are not big banner movies. SRK is lucky to have producers like Yash Raj knocking at his door.
—Ambreen Akhoon

The rags-to-riches story adds to Akshay’s persona
Akshay started off working as a waiter and today he is one of the most sought after actors in Bollywood. His comic timing is the best among all the Bollywood actors.
Last year Akshay had four consecutive hits and Singh Is Kinng makes it five in a row for him.

Being a daredevil himself, Akshay was the natural choice to host Khatron Ke Khiladi. With so many hits, people just go and watch an Akshay movie irrespective of the reviews, supporting cast and so on.

Today, Akshay has shown everybody that besides action, he can carry off comic and serious roles with equal panache. He is a complete package for directors.
—Tanisha Puthran    

He is almost at the top
Singh is Kinng has broken box-office records. The film has taken a phenomenal start in the first weekend itself. In fact, its performance is better than that of any other Bollywood film so far. There is no one reason for the film's phenomenal box office performance. First, there is the crackling chemistry between Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar. Then the Akshay-Anees Bazmee combine clicked. I would say even the TRPs of the television reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi contributed to its success. The music is hummable and was actually used contextually by news channels during political dramas.

Akshay Kumar has always been a favorite among the masses. He is an all-rounder and excels in action, romance as well as comedy. But I still feel that he stands out best in comedies. I would call him the king of comedy. Akshay has always been in the list of top three and is lately being compared to SRK. But he has yet to share that No 1 throne with King Khan.

Just now, Akshay leads by one film because of Singh is Kinng but that is not enough to declare him No 1. SRK has been delivering hits for the last 15 years. He has been more selective about his films than Akshay. And no one can really replace him at the box office today. This means that Akshay does more films a year. Also he is an extremely hard working man and this has taken him high on the ladder of success. I would rate him a close No 2, but he can easily move to the top of the ladder. 
 —Komal Nahta. Trade analyst and film critic