Shahrukh is the "King Khan" of Bollywood. He is reputed to be the man with the Midas touch, but lately, his films have not set the box-office charts ablaze. His latest offering "Zero" along with Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma was eagerly awaited.

Unfortunately for the Khan, the Film has just garnered about Rs 20 crores (£2.3 million), and the feedback from customers and critics is poor. Comparatively the film "2.0" had a much better opening.

The movie with Shah Rukh who plays a vertically challenged man has Katrina Kaif playing the role of an actress battling alcoholism and Anushka Sharma as a wheelchair-bound scientist.

The film was released on 21 December. The First Post has reported that Shahrukh Khan is apprehensive that the film may not be a success at the box-office and it could affect his getting further roles.

Relative failure

The failure of this film has come close on the heels of the relative bombing at the box-office of the costliest film ever made in Bollywood, Aamir Khans "Thugs of Hindostan." Even Salman Khans "Tubelight" failed miserably, and Salman's image was dented, and he was forced to promise a refund to the distributors who had lost money on the film. The successive failures of films of the three Khan look ominous. The trio has ruled Bollywood after the era of Amitabh Bachan for close to 2 decades, but now it appears the trio is slipping.

"Zero" was a decent film but the theme of a physically challenged youth and heroine () does not seem to have gone down well with the audience.

Shahrukh is a romantic star, and perhaps he failed to live up to that image in this film. Come to think of it; this Khan has not had a super hit film for quite some time now. Even the review by NDTV has given "Zero" only two stars out of five.

Three Khans

All the three Khans are on the wrong side of fifty and no longer can be considered youthful. Aamir and Salman have tried hard to keep fit, but the audience wants something more than just the physical presence of the Khans.

A proper story and presentation are equally important and the subjects chosen by the three Khans over the last two years have not caught the fancy of the masses.

The failure of "Thugs of Hindostan" is a lesson for these superstars. It shows that glossy sets and top Khan billing do not guarantee a hit.

Shah Rukh slipping?

Shah Rukh has been slipping for some time, and he had thought that this film directed by Anand L Rai would resurrect him, but initial reaction shows that this is unlikely. The public expects a lot more from Shahrukh. Perhaps he should stick to soft lover roles but then when one is over 50 how does he do it?
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