Shahid and Suniel face off in box office

Last time they were seen on the big screen together was in 2006. Bollywood actors Shahid Kapoor and Suniel Shetty appeared in the box-office smash Chup Chupke. This weekend, the duo is back – but this time around, they’re competing for the coveted number one spot in the UAE and Indian box-office with their individual films.

After proving himself as a comedy star, Shetty returns to the big screen with a completely different type of role – as an action hero in the film, Red Alert: The War Within – while Shahid Kapoor appears with now ex-girlfriend Kareena Kapoor in the romantic comedy Milenge Milenge. The film marks the ex-couple’s fifth – and final – collaboration together.

Directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, Red Alert: The War Within is based on the true story of an Andhra farm labourer who becomes involved with a group of Naxalites. The production received good reviews after making its debut last year’s Stuttgart Film Festival. Meanwhile, Milenge Milenge is said to be inspired by the 2001 Hollywood romantic comedy Serendipity.

As two big movies are released on the same day. The question remains; which one would you rather prefer? Shetty’s serious, true story; or Kapoor’s light-hearted comedy with his ex-lover? And then there’s the battle of the star power. The innocent-looking chocolaty boy Kapur – who is every girl’s dream – opposite the super muscular and moody Shetty.

In his seven-year career, Kapoor has received critical acclaim for his variety of film roles – playing everything from the innocent romantic to the more serious and dramatic. The 29-year-old even won an award for Best Debut Male at the Filmfare Awards.

Then of course, there’s the adoration by millions of girls.

“His cute little face attracts me the most. He doesn’t need words to communicate; his expressions say everything,” said 21-year-old Neha Jaisinghani. “I would love to watch Milenge Milenge just because of Shahid.”

At the age of 48, Shetty is not too far behind, and is indeed a strong contender in the macho versus chocolaty competition. Taking on brave, patriotic-type characters in films, such as LOC Kargil, Refugee, and Border, it’s safe to say that Shetty has been an inspiration to India’s male population.

Rahman Khan, 34, told the publication: “I like Suniel Shetty’s action and punches. They seem real, and his facial expressions are worth watching during the action scenes. He expresses himself well.

“If I was given a choice to choose between Red Alert: The War Within and Milenge Milenge, I would watch Red Alert because of Shetty.”

Like Kapoor, the actor also wins awards. His role in Dhakan won him the Filmfare Awards’ Best Villain category, for example.

But not everyone has made their mind up about which film they would like to catch this weekend.

“I am a fan of both actors,”  said student Palwinder Singh Dhillon. “Shetty redefined action scenes with innovative sequences and moves – but Kapoor has great looks and a charming smile.

“I would love to watch both, but if I have to choose one, I would choose Milenge Milenge because this could be the last time we see him in a movie with Kareena Kapoor. Their last after their epic performance in Jab We Met.”

So it seems to be a case of male versus female at the box-office with each films having quite an obvious target audience. Who will come up out on top though? All shall be revealed after the weekend, when box-office results are released.
 

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