Back in 2018, Yash decided to release his action entertainer KGF: Chapter 1 on the same day, December 21, as Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero. When trade circles learnt about the development, they advised Yash to reconsider his decision. However, the actor remained firm and went ahead with the box-office clash. As it turned out, Yash’s regional film went on to outperform SRK’s big-budget Bollywood film globally.
While Zero reportedly grossed around Rs 190 crore worldwide on a budget of approximately Rs 200 crore, KGF: Chapter 1 emerged as a major commercial success, grossing over Rs 250 crore worldwide. More importantly, the Prashanth Neel directorial introduced Yash to audiences across India and marked the beginning of his pan-India stardom. Ever since, comparisons between Yash and Shah Rukh Khan have often brought up the 2018 clash between KGF: Chapter 1 and Zero.
Yash recalls box-office clash with SRK
Yash is currently promoting his upcoming film Toxic. During his appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, the superstar was asked whether releasing KGF alongside Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero was a deliberate decision. The question was particularly interesting given Yash’s admiration for the Bollywood superstar.
“Aap Shah Rukh Khan ke bahut bade fan hain, aap unse milna chahte the and jab time nahi diya toh aapne unki Zero ke saath apni KGF film clash kara li,” the host asked.
Reflecting on the decision years later, Yash offered a straightforward explanation: “Our film (KGF) was a small one and Shah Rukh sir’s film was huge, so we released on the same day.”
Yash maintains respect for SRK
Yash also clarified that the release overlap was not motivated by any rivalry with SRK. According to the actor, KGF had to release across five languages, and distribution considerations played a major role in determining its release date.
The actor also reiterated his deep respect for Shah Rukh Khan, making it clear that a box-office result does not make him bigger than a senior superstar. Despite the phenomenal success of the KGF franchise and his growing pan-India stature, Yash continues to describe himself as a huge fan of SRK and considers him an enduring icon.
With Toxic and his upcoming projects, including Ramayana, Yash is now firmly established as one of Indian cinema’s biggest pan-India stars. Yet his recollection of the KGF–Zero clash suggests that, for him, sharing a release date with Shah Rukh Khan was never about proving who was bigger.
Also Read: Yash’s Toxic Trailer Enhances Pan-India Buzz
By
By
