Destiny binds together this charismatic trio—Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir. They not only started their journey in Bollywood around the same time but also share vestiges of Pashtun descent in their bloodline. Over time, their tempestuous rivalry turned into friendship as they became an indomitable triumvirate. Three diff¬erent, yet magnetic personalities—they form the three points of the invisible Bandra Triangle in Mumbai as their brotherhood reigns permanently over a capricious Bollywood.
Did Shah Rukh Khan reject Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge? Did Aamir Khan audition for Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak? Was Salman Khan’s voice dubbed by another in Maine Pyar Kiya? Did Salman’s and Aamir’s ¬film rejections give Shah Rukh Bollywood on a platter?
KHANtastic answers all these questions.
Who is the writer
The book is written by SANJUKTA NANDY is a writer, an architect and an avid movie buff who lives in Mumbai. She hails from a media family and has experienced the film industry up close and personal. She has designed homes for celebrities, written television scripts, doctored film scripts and co-produced a film starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, an actor who has worked with the Khan trio of Bollywood.
SANJUKTA NANDY answers few question about the book
Q. What is it about the journey of the three Khans that distinguishes them from other major stars of Bollywood? Is it hard work? Luck? Being in the right place at the right time? Or simply following their instinct? Is there a common denominator as the secret of their success?
A. Salman’s mass appeal, Shah Rukh’s instinct to be different; Aamir’s sensibilities towards versatile roles are the assets with which the trio leaves a lasting impression in hearts of cine-goers. Their common denominator is their ability to connect with the audience with not only their films, but also their lives which, like a movie script, is filled with unpredictable highs and lows.
Q. What was your toughest challenge in piecing together the journey of the three Khans?
A. The research was extensive and we collected so many stories, trivias and anecdotes that editing them to fit into the perspective of the narration, to decide what to retain and what to chop from the book, became a major challenge.
Q. Are there any interesting anecdotes during the interviews for the book that you could recount?
A.A Bollywood personality, a childhood friend of one of the Khans, mentioned a story about one of them being snobbish with the other Khan, in their early days and looking through the one other. But later went on to become warm friends. Even though we persuaded him, he remained adamant to be anonymous and refused to give us permission to narrate the complete story which has its own quirky andaaz.
Then again there was a Bollywood personality, a close friend of one of the Khans, who had seen all the three Khans up-close and personal. He agreed to reveal unknown anecdotes in return of a meal in a five star hotel. But he over ate and was so sick that we paid for the dinner without any story!
