In their career that has lasted for over two decades, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) have almost consistently delivered blockbusters, thereby justifying their standing in the industry.
While this decade has been dominated by Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, the last decade was completely a Shah Rukh Khan show. There have been times when the mightiest of the mighty in the industry have struggled to deliver the huge blockbusters and the Khans are no different.
Let's go back in time to see when the Bollywood superstars failed to make it large:
Salman Khan:
Salman Khan, who is currently redefining records every Eid, took nearly 2815 days to deliver a blockbuster. Khan, who was passing through a rough phase in his personal and professional life in early 2000's owing to several controversies, failed to deliver a single blockbuster post Hum Saath Saath Hai (1999) and it was David Dhawan's Partner (2007) that came to his rescue.
However, in between the said period, he was a part of several successful films like Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Tere Naam, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, No Entry to name a few. In his 28 year career, Salman Khan has delivered 13 blockbusters, thus being the maximum for any actor.
Salman Khan (File Photo)Shah Rukh Khan:
Shah Rukh Khan has been a part of 12 blockbusters in his career however there was a phase when even King Khan had to struggle for the same.
The actor, who has at the peak of his career in 2000's, consistently delivered many hits and super-hits however none of them were blockbusters. After Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001), it took nearly 2067 days for SRK to deliver another Blockbuster in the form of Chak De India (2007).
In the said time frame, he was a part of successful ventures like Devdas, Kal Ho Na Ho, Main Hoon Na, Veer Zaara, Don and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna to name a few. Amongst his competitors, Shah Rukh Khan has been the most consistent actor who has delivered successful films at regular interval.
Shah Rukh Khan (File Photo)Aamir Khan:
Mr Perfectionist of the industry, Aamir Khan is one of the most trusted actors in India and his presence is enough for people to have faith on the content. The actor delivered a huge blockbuster in the form of Raja Hindustani in 1996 however after that followed a dry spell as his next blockbuster came directly in the form of Ghajini (2008). The gap between the two films was massive 4424 days.
In the said phase, Aamir was a part of successful films like Ishq, Sarfarosh, Dil Chahta Hai, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, Fanaa and Taare Zameen Par to name a few. Aamir's wait for a blockbuster was a bit longer in comparison to others as the actor took a 4 year break in early 2000's.
In nearly 3 decade career, Aamir has done the least films amongst his contemporaries and has been a part of 8 blockbuster films. His blockbuster ratio is the highest ever for any actor.
Aamir Khan (File Photo)Akshay Kumar:
Akshay Kumar is one actor who is known for his hits and super-hits and not the big commercial blockbusters. In his two and a half decade career, Akshay Kumar has been a part of merely 3 blockbusters i.e. Mohra, Welcome and Rowdy Rathore.
Despite several hits in his filmography, the time taken by him to deliver his second blockbuster, Welcome, after Mohra was 4906 days.
Akshay Kumar (File Photo)Ajay Devgn:
Ajay Devgn has struggled the most to get a blockbuster. The actor who made his debut in showbiz with Phool Aur Kaante in 1991 got his first ever blockbuster in the form of Raajneeti in 2010. The time taken by Ajay Devgn to give a blockbuster is 6770 days which is the longest ever for any actor from his generation.
Ajay Devgn (File Photo)However, in the said period of 19 years, Ajay Devgn has been a part of over 25 successful films.