The image of the Khan era is fading, there may not be a queue to sit on the throne but two giants are rapidly moving towards it.
Salman, Shahrukh and Aamir Khan turned sixty last year. Since then the question has been rising that who will be the next king of Bollywood? It is a different matter that the old veterans are still not ready to step back. Shahrukh Khan is preparing to play King with his unmatched charm and charisma, Salman Khan’s patriotic film Mathrubhumi is going to be released this year and Aamir Khan has returned as both an actor and producer after a short break.
Despite all this, time has its own pace and it does not spare anyone. As this trio loses ground, the stage is being set for new claimants to the throne. For die-hard fans of Shah Rukh Khan, the idea of a ‘new Badshah’ is unimaginable as the crown of Badshah has been held by the Pathan (2023) star for a long time.
Like the era of Rajesh Khanna, when even the idea of another superstar seemed impossible, today’s change is also sure to be opposed. But the door to reach the top in Bollywood now seems a little open.
The tremendous success of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar (2025) and Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026) has put Ranveer Singh back in the race for the top spot. Till recently, this space was dominated by Ranbir Kapoor after Animal (2023), which was a huge success at the box office.
After flops like 83 (2021) and Jayeshbhai Jordaar (2022), film industry analysts had prematurely started underestimating Ranveer Singh’s impact. Then came Dhurandhar in which with his powerful performance as an undercover agent, he proved the old cinematic adage that ‘a good actor cannot be ignored for long.’
The films of both the actors achieved tremendous commercial success, making the race for supremacy so exciting that after the famous Khan Trimurti of Bandra ruled the throne of Bollywood for a long time, now the wait is on for the next superstar.
Choosing between Ranbir and Ranveer is not such an easy task. A large part of the film industry considers Kapoor to be the best actor of his generation. Being the grandson of Raj Kapoor and son of Rishi Kapoor, he carries forward a strong legacy.
Despite this, there is an equally influential camp in favor of Singh. His passionate style and emotional depth in Dhurandhar again showcased his versatility. He proved that even if there are ups and downs in form, class always remains intact.
Based on the box office figures, Singh may be seen getting the lead. Although statistics don’t tell the whole story, Kapoor’s career remains in the news because of his bold decisions. From Wake Up Sid (2009) to Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009), Ranbir has preferred unconventional stories over easy options. Even when big films like Besharam (2013) and Bombay Velvet (2015) flopped, despite the concerns of his family, especially his father, he followed his instincts rather than the set formula.
In contrast, Singh’s career was more associated with big budget films and prestigious banners. These films undoubtedly enhanced his star power, but often limited the opportunity to showcase his versatility. The film Dhurandhar, which came at a turning point, worked to strike this balance and established him not only as an actor who attracted the audience but also as an actor capable of expressing his acting abilities in the best possible way.
One special thing about both of them is that they are completely immersed in their work. During preparation for Sanju (2018), Kapoor adopted every personal habit of Sanjay Dutt. Ranbir even started using his favorite perfume, so that he could completely get into the role. Leo also leaves no stone unturned in his hard work. For Padmaavat (2018), he isolated himself in an apartment for weeks and watched dark films by Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier to play the role of Alauddin Khilji.
For 83 years, he spent a lot of time at Kapil Dev’s house and tried to understand his habits and nature. This kind of dedication has made him stand out in an industry where the “it gets by” mentality often dominates.
So, who will ultimately take over the crown?
At present, the competition is a close one. The coming year will decide who takes the decisive lead or whether Bollywood, like in the past, puts too many superstars at the top at the same time. The era of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand in the 1950s, and more recently, the shared dominance of the three Khans are examples of the Bollywood genre.
Whatever may be the throne, it is certain that the post-Khan era has started taking shape. Kapoor and Singh are in the first row. Two dynamic actors who deliver a showdown that promises to define the next chapter of Hindi cinema as no other actor comes even close to them.
