Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 27: As Bollywood icons Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan turn 60 this year, they have shattered long-held notions about age and stardom in Hindi cinema, redefining what longevity truly means in an industry once known for imposing an unspoken retirement age on its stars.

Traditionally, turning 60 marked the twilight of a male actor’s career in Bollywood, while female actors often faced a far harsher cut-off much earlier. Legends such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna saw their stardom wane by middle age, eventually transitioning into character roles or struggling to maintain box-office relevance.

Amitabh Bachchan, arguably the biggest star of the 1970s and early 1980s, faced a decline even before turning 50 due to multiple factors including political distractions, changing audience tastes and the emergence of younger romantic heroes. By the 1990s, he was largely seen as an outdated star, reinventing himself later through television and selective film roles. Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna followed similar trajectories, adapting to supporting or character roles as they aged.

In contrast, the three Khans — who debuted in the late 1980s and early 1990s — have sustained superstardom for over three decades. Their rise coincided with India’s economic liberalisation, when a younger audience sought relatable, aspirational heroes. Romantic cinema carried them through the 1990s, but the new millennium demanded reinvention.

Aamir Khan pioneered a shift by choosing quality over quantity, opting to do fewer films and focusing on strong scripts. His gamble paid off with landmark successes such as Lagaan. Salman Khan, after a lull in the early 2000s, reinvented himself by embracing mass action entertainers, delivering blockbusters like Wanted, Dabangg and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Shah Rukh Khan, after facing a series of setbacks post-2015, took a strategic break, returning with high-octane action films like Pathaan and Jawan that reaffirmed his box-office dominance.

Their adaptability, understanding of audience shifts and ability to reinvent their on-screen personas have allowed the Khans to defy the conventional ageing curve of Bollywood heroes. Even as newer stars struggle to achieve similar longevity, the trio continues to command unparalleled fan following and commercial success.

At 60, Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh Khan have proven that in Bollywood, stardom no longer comes with an expiry date — setting a precedent that future generations of actors can only aspire to follow.