India, Nov. 3 -- Hindustan Times Deputy Editor (Entertainment) Abhimanyu Mathur, in an article published Nov. 2, 2026, said Shah Rukh Khan has been the most successful Indian actor of the last 30 years, citing box office totals, hit counts and year-end #1 films.
Box office comparisons across eras
The article said Shah Rukh Khan debuted in films in 1992, four years after Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, and initially appeared in two-hero films such as Deewana and King Uncle, and played a villain in Darr and Anjaam.
It presented box office grosses for the three actors across periods:
* Till 1999: Shah Rukh Khan ₹740 crore (27 films); Salman Khan ₹751 crore (33 films); Aamir Khan ₹359 crore (26 films)
* 2000-07: Shah Rukh Khan ₹1326 crore (20 f...