The greatest superstar: Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna or Big B?

It was a star studded event when the big wigs of Bollywood graced the launch of veteran actor Dilip Kumar's autobiography titled 'Substance and Shadow'. Celebs like Subhash Ghai, Madhuri Dixit, Aamir Khan and Jeetendra, Vijayanti Mala, Zeenat Aman, Javed Akhtar, Salim Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Raju Hirani, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Riteish Deshmukh and Kiran Rao, Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan were present at the event. As always, the thespian was accompanied by his wife Saira Banu. All the celebs present showed their respect for one of India's finest actors who has given hits like Andaaz, Devdas, Shaheed, Amar and Saudagar to name a few.

Talking to ANI, the thespian's wife Saira Banu said, "Yusuf Sahib's autobiography is being released today. All of you please pray that the amount of efforts we have put in this for all of you gets successful and you all like it even more". (sic) The book has been written by the actor's friend Uday Tara Nayar and captures the life of one of India's finest actors, right from his childhood his career, and the ups and downs in his life, his family and more. And on such an occasion, how could the Shahenshah of Bollywood not be there? It was delight to see the two legends of Hindi cinema together after a long time under one frame. Talking about legends and superstars, we take a look at who has been Bollywood's greatest superstar: Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan or Rajesh Khanna?

The Indian film industry and Bollywood in particular, has seen the rise and sometimes fall of many superstars and legends. There have been those who have changed cinema forever and others who have given a whole new dimension to the word actor. But the three names that stand apart and that will go down in the annals of history are the three legends, the late actor Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar. While Dilip Kumar started off as a tragedy king of Bollywood, Big B was dubbed as the Angry Young Man of Hindi cinema and Rajesh Khanna was fondly seen as the king of romance.

Over the decades, superstars and cinema have both changed. When Dilip Kumar aka Muhammad Yusuf Khan made his debut in 1944 with Jwar Bhata, Bollywood would have a new tragedy king! He went on to give classic performances in films like Andaz (1949), Aan (1952), Devdas (1955), Azaad (1955) and the epic film Mughal-e-Azam (1960). Over a period of time, he became a legend of his era. So popular was Dilip Kumar that every aspiring actor wanted to be like him and many till date, ape his style of acting. Recipient of many prestigious awards including the Padma Bhushan, Dilip Kumar was also the highest paid Hindi actor in the 50's and early 60's. He is reported to hold a Guinness World Record for winning the maximum number of awards by an Indian actor. A super star had certainly arrived.

Although a name like Dilip Kumar will always remain in the annals of history, he was beaten to his popularity by a new brigade of young actors who had taken over Hindi cinema. In 1966, a mane named Rajesh Khanna (born as Jatin Khanna) made his debut with the film Aakhri Khat. Rajesh Khanna had won the All India Talent Contest organized by United Producers and Filmfare the year earlier and caught the fancy of many film makers. He went on to act in films like Aradhana, The Train, Kati Patang, Daag: A Poem of Love and many more successful films. And it seemed as if Rajesh Khanna had become a sensation overnight.

The term 'Superstar' was first coined for him in India. Rajesh Khanna seemed to drive many crazy and legend has it that women would write love letters to him in their blood and marry his pictures. Wherever he went, he created a mass hysteria! But stardom comes with a price and Rajesh Khanna seemed to be overthrown by a man named called Amitabh Bachchan.

Amitabh Bachchan made an unusual debut in Mrinal Sen's 1969 film Bhuvan Shome. Amitabh did not act in the film but was a voice narrator. He went on to do supporting roles in many films including Anand where he shared screen space with Rajesh Khanna. In fact at that time, Rajesh Khanna stole the show in that film as he was the bigger superstar and Amitabh Bachchan had yet to make his mark.

He played a negative character in Parwaana and made a guest appearance in the film Guddi. But no one would have thought that a man of his caliber would have to go through the grill before making it big in the Hindi film industry. In 1973, Bachchan's luck and image changed with the film Zanjeer. This film established him as the angry young man of Hindi cinema. Bachchan went on to do films like Deewaar, Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony, Kabhie Kabhie, Don and Trishul to name a few. And a new superstar was born once again. Soon, Big B as he is fondly referred as, rose to popularity He soared high for a long time before hitting a slump, first as an actor and then as a producer. In the 1990's, his career was flagging and he had a huge debt riding on his shoulders.

But the nation's favourtie actor, refused to accept defeat. His made his Television debut with Kaun Banega Crorepati at a time when TV was considered a taboo and perhaps a downgrade medium for a film actor, especially one so popular. But that did not deter him. Rather KBC revived his career and Amitabh Bachchan was back in the game once again! His popularity knows no heights and Big B has been honoured with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. He was also voted as "greatest star of stage or screen" in a BBC Your Millennium online poll. Amitabh Bachchan has been immortalized at the popular Madame Tussauds wax museum in London and in 2012, he carried the Olympic torch during the last leg of its relay in London's Southwark. But these are a few of his achievements. There perhaps will never been another actor or legend like Big B. He inspires a nation of billion. While all admire and aspire to be like him, can he beat Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna to be called the country's greatest superstar?Let us know your views by commenting below!