Yash Breaks Silence on Clashing KGF With Zero and Comparison With Shah Rukh Khan
Actor Yash has opened up about the much-discussed 2018 box-office clash between his blockbuster film KGF: Chapter 1 and Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero, making it clear that he never viewed the release as a competition with the Bollywood superstar.
The two films arrived in theatres on December 21, 2018. While Zero was one of the year’s biggest Bollywood releases, KGF: Chapter 1 was a Kannada film that went on to become a major pan-India success and transformed Yash into a nationally recognised star.
‘Our Film Was Small’
During his appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, Yash was asked whether he deliberately chose to release KGF alongside Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero. Responding to the question, Yash said that he considered KGF a much smaller film compared with Shah Rukh’s project.
“Our film was a small one and Shah Rukh sir’s film was huge, so we released on the same day,” Yash said.
The actor also dismissed the idea that the release date was chosen as an attempt to challenge Shah Rukh Khan. He reiterated that he remains a fan of the Bollywood star.
KGF Emerged as the Winner
Despite being positioned as the smaller film at the time, KGF: Chapter 1 eventually outperformed Zero at the box office. Reports put KGF‘s worldwide earnings at around Rs 250 crore, while Zero had a considerably lower theatrical run.
The success of KGF became a turning point for Yash, establishing him as one of the leading pan-India stars. The film’s success was followed by KGF: Chapter 2 in 2022, which further expanded his popularity across the country.
Yash Refuses to Compare Himself With SRK
Even after KGF defeated Zero commercially, Yash said he does not consider himself bigger than Shah Rukh Khan.
“He is a superstar,” Yash said, adding that the day he begins thinking he is bigger than his seniors is the day his career is over.
His comments highlight the respect he continues to have for Shah Rukh despite his own rise to pan-India stardom.
‘I’m Still His Fan’
Yash has previously spoken about his admiration for Shah Rukh Khan, and in the latest conversation he once again made his position clear. For him, the success of one film does not change the stature of an established superstar.
The actor’s comments have also drawn attention because KGF‘s unexpected victory over Zero played a significant role in changing perceptions about the reach of South Indian cinema in the Hindi market.
Yash is now preparing for his upcoming projects, including Toxic, as he continues to build on the pan-India success achieved through the KGF franchise.
