Journalism of Courage
The Indian Express Power List, which ranks the 100 most powerful Indians, for the year 2016 is out. And this year all the three Khans of Bollywood feature in the list. Last year it was just Aamir and Salman on the Express Power List but they are joined by Shah Rukh Khan this year. Also making it to the list are Bollywood beauties Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, who are taking Hollywood by storm. Take a look.
Read #ie100: Salman Khan, Aamir ahead of Shah Rukh Khan
Aamir Khan, who has been in news for his intolerance comments at the Ramnath Goenka Awards, is at No 72, two ranks down from his last year’s position. The actor is currently shooting for Dangal.
Reason - Despite not making any big-screen appearance in 2015, there was no denying Khan’s influence. If an e-commerce firm signed him up for Rs 30 crore, he lent the strongest voice to the intolerance debate in the country. By the end of the year, his contract with both Snapdeal and the government’s Incredible India campaign was allowed to lapse — a fact that didn’t go unnoticed.
Read #ie100: Salman Khan, Aamir ahead of Shah Rukh Khan
Coming in close at Rank 76 is filmmaker Karan Johar, he has slipped two positions this year.
Reason - 2015 saw Hindi cinema’s most famous producer-director play the role of a media baron in Bombay Velvet. He also “presented” the S S Rajamouli-directed Bahubali, whose world-wide earnings were pegged at over Rs 600 crore.
Read #ie100: Salman Khan, Aamir ahead of Shah Rukh Khan
Salman Khan, who has had an eventful 2015 because of the verdict in 2002 hit-and-run case plus his two huge hits Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. Salman, who turned 50 on December 27, remains at No. 83 this year too.
Reason - 2015 was undoubtedly Salman Khan’s year. Both his releases — Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo — were the biggest hits of the year. His Eid releases continue to be much awaited.
Read #ie100: Salman Khan, Aamir ahead of Shah Rukh Khan
Deepika Padukone, who has given hits like Piku and Bajirao Mastani last year and has already left for Canada to shoot for her Hollywood debut ‘xXx: The Return of Xander Cage’ with Vin Diesel is at No 93 this time, six positions up from her last year’s ranking.
Reason - For an actor in the prime of her career, Piku was a far from obvious choice, given its non-romantic, slice-of-life subject matter. Padukone went on to hold her own against Irrfan Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, two actors who dominate any scene they are in. Her performance was key to the film’s success.
Read #ie100: Salman Khan, Aamir ahead of Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan, who is known as the Badshah of Bollywood, is at No 97 and he is new on the list.
Reason - At 50, he is still India’s top romantic hero. Dilwale, where he teamed up with Kajol, didn’t do too well at the box office, but that has not dented his fan base or his advertising deals. His team Kolkata Knight Riders is among top IPL contenders.
Read #ie100: Salman Khan, Aamir ahead of Shah Rukh Khan
Priyanka Chopra, who is busy juggling between Bollywood and Hollywood, also makes it to the list at No 98. She is also a new entrant to the Express Power List.
Reason - She became the first South Asian to headline an American network TV series with Quantico. She also had two impressive releases in 2015 in Dil Dhadakne Do, Bajirao Mastani.
Read #ie100: Salman Khan, Aamir ahead of Shah Rukh Khan
