Out now: Salman Khan’s ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ trailer

Who knew that a simple theatrical trailer could be cause of such high drama in the powerful corridors of the Bollywood film industry?

But then again, when the trailer in question involves one of the most influential production houses in India, bitterly caught in the crossfire of a cold war between two of the country’s biggest superstars, then controversy is only the first chapter in this epic saga.

The protagonists in question are Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, who have allegedly drawn battle lines in the Yash Raj Films (YRF) camp, as two of the production house’s biggest films of 2012 ready for an Eid and Diwali release.

Salman, who traditionally owns the global box office during the Eid holidays, should ideally be on a high today with news that the latest theatrical trailer of the Kabir Khan-directed ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ went viral within minutes of its release.

The 2.45-minute clipping finally allows viewers to bear witness to the on-screen chemistry between Salman and co-star Katrina Kaif, who is finally making an appearance in the trailer with a tongue-n-cheek sequence that see the actress dare to quiz Salman over his bachelor status.

A playful verbal sparring between the on-screen duo over his marriage serves as a direct reference to the couple’s alleged off-screen romance that created enough gossip fodder to impress critics and fans alike.

Yet, insiders say that Katrina is also finding it taxing for being in the (un)fortunate position of YRF’s favourite lead actress of late.

After Salman’s ‘Ek Tha Tiger’, which release globally on August 15, her next big film is YRF’s yet untitled Yash Chopra-directed project, which gears up for a November 15 cinematic outing.

The latter love story has Katrina paired with Shah Rukh for the first time on-screen, which apparently had Chopra even reduced to tears recently when shooting the climax between the duo and seeing their reel-life love story blossom.

But for Salman, this only spells bad news considering Shah Rukh is his public enemy number one, since their now infamous spat at Katrina’s birthday bash back in 2008.

Insiders are now alleging that so incensed is the ‘Dabangg’ actor about Katrina’s close association with Shah Rukh, combined with his off-screen animosity for the ‘Ra.One’ actor, that Salman is now rumoured to have blocked the theatrical promo of the Yash Chopra project to release with the ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ screenings.

The ball lies in the court of YRF head honcho, Aditya Chopra, who is known to be on fabulous terms with Shah Rukh.

Will Chopra put his foot down and put both actors in their respective places?

Only time will tell.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.