Aitraaz on the other hand starred Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles. Neither was as big as they are today. Needless to say the budget of the film was far smaller.

The Abbas-Mustan directed Aitraaz was reportedly made on a budget of Rs 14 crore and collected a net approximate of Rs 37 crore.

This was perhaps the first sign of Akshay Kumar's rise in the Bollywood circles. Yet somehow this went unnoticed largely because 2004 was the year of Shah Rukh Khan. Shah Rukh had three big releases that year – Main Hoon Na, Veer-Zaara and Swades – and all three films made huge money at the box office.

What goes around comes around, they say. Not many may have perceived Akshay Kumar as a threat then. But was quite evident that Shah Rukh Khan did.

So in 2006 despite repeated requests from Shirish Kunder, Shah Rukh Khan refused to postpone the release of Don and avoid a clash with the Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan-starrer Jaan-E-Mann.

Don and Jaan-E-Mann released on October 20, 2006. The slickly packaged Don trounced Jaan-E-Mann on which barely managed to recover costs. Don was made at an approximate budget of Rs 24 crore and collected about Rs 51 crore (net) at the box office. Jaan-E-Maan was made at an approximate budget of Rs 30 crore and collected approximately Rs 27 crore (nett) at the box office.

While the first clash went unnoticed, by 2006 Akshay Kumar's rise was becoming more and more evident. Just before this film Akki had a hit in Mujshe Shaadi Karogi, which also starred Salman Khan. So when the two teamed up again and took on Shah Rukh Khan, many heads turned. After all no one had challenged the King yet.

It seemed strange to many that Shah Rukh Khan, known to be quite generous to his friends, should turn down Shirish Kunder, Farah Khan's husband. Shah Rukh had reportedly told Shirish to shift the release date of his film if he so wished to make money at the box office. But the film released as per schedule and was left reeling.

Cut to 2008 when the two stars have found themselves facing each other again. This time though things have indeed come to a head. By performing at the Unforgettable tour with the Bachchans, Akshay Kumar has very clearly announced his loyalties. It's war!

Shah Rukh Khan has never lost a war at the box office during Diwali. However if insiders are to be believed, Kuselan may just prove to be that one exception.

King Khan is reportedly very miffed at being outrun by Rajinikanth. Rajini's Kuselan was supposed to release during Diwali. And so was Shah Rukh's. But the Southern actor showed just why he is called the Superstar and managed to get the film ready for release on August 1. What's more? The Hindi dubbed version of the Rajini-starrer is also supposed to hit the screens on the same day.

Says a source, "This move will affect Shah Rukh's film adversely. Moreover, Kadha Parayumbol (of which Kuselan is a remake) is a film that the rural audiences will connect with better. Shah Rukh has a very urbane fan base and that's just one of the reasons why he should be worrying."