SRK v/s Salman – Is There A Conspiracy On?

The adage of ‘much ado about nothing’ is indeed turning out to be true. Even as the Japan premiere of Om Shanti Om is over and done with, conspiracy theories of all kinds have started floating in. While it is being reported in some sections of media that the arrival of this Shah Rukh Khan starrer was to take an early lead over Salman Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger which too would soon be arriving on this land, those in the know-how have rubbished the speculations.

“Let’s first get the facts clear. This isn’t the first time that a Hindi film is releasing in Japan. Eros, which has taken an initiative to bring many of its films to this side of the world, has already released Rajinikanth’s Robot and Sivaji during last one year. This isn’t all as Shah Rukh’s own Ra.One has been released there. Now that his Om Shanti Om is arriving there, where is the question of him or the producers aiming for one upmanship? It is silly to even think that it has anything to do with Salman or his films. Everyone has his own place under the sun and it is good for the industry if their films release internationally”, says a source.

She goes on to add, “Just because news sells with a headline centred on ‘Shah Rukh and Salman on warpath’, there are imaginary stories being built.”

This is pretty much the reason why Yash Raj Films is maintaining a silence on the so-called war and going ahead with their stance of ‘business as usual’. Ditto for Shah Rukh and Salman who are busy with Chennai Express and Mental respectively, hence looking into the future than delve into their glories from the past.

On their part though, Eros has released an official statement which pretty much dilutes insinuation of trouble, if any, between the two superstars. As per their spokesperson, “We continue to make inroads into new markets internationally for Indian films. In fact, Ra.One and Om Shanti Om were sold to Japan in December 2011 itself and we planned the release of these films in a phased manner with Ra.One releasing last year followed by OSO’s release now, the date of which was locked a few months back.”

Well, this should put all speculations to rest.

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder