Enigma

Now, this is where perhaps, Salman becomes the enigma that will go on to make a hot favourite that he is now.

Salman's friends stood by him; whether planned (highly doubtful) his personal goodness - tales of the kind-hearted Khan, who would do anything for friends, started trickling in. Salman Khan, we learnt to believe, cannot be a bad man, after all.

Yes, he perhaps erred in his ways; but then, he apparently also has a heart of gold.

As for Shah Rukh Khan, suddenly, the man appeared to be a cold, calculating, shrewd businessman. He too broke with friends, like Farah Khan.

Somehow, the sheer weight of success seemed to start hounding him - websites became war zones for fans who delighted in maligning Shah Rukh, the very same people who take gleeful delight in prophesising the failure of 'Ra.One'.