Bollywood heavyweights Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn have come together for the first-ever cover of Variety India, creating a moment many fans are calling historic. The cover, released on February 1, shows Akshay Kumar seated on a couch, while Salman, Aamir and Ajay stand behind him with their hands on one another’s shoulders. The magazine describes them as “Unshakable. The superheroes that broke the rules of stardom.”
As soon as the cover surfaced online, it sparked a wave of reactions across social media. While many celebrated the rare coming together of four of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars, a section of fans expressed disappointment over one notable absence, Shah Rukh Khan. Comments like “This picture is incomplete without SRK” and “Where’s Shah Rukh Khan?” flooded the internet. Some fans went a step further, calling it a “generational picture” that could have been even bigger with SRK’s presence, while others also mentioned Hrithik Roshan as a missing name.
Despite the debate, admiration for the cover dominated the conversation. Fans described the image as “legendary,” “unexpected,” and a frame featuring the “four pillars of Bollywood.” For many, seeing the stars share the same space was a reminder of an era that shaped mainstream Hindi cinema for decades.
The cover launch was followed by a star-studded Variety India event in Mumbai, attended by Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar with Twinkle Khanna, Sidharth Malhotra, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor and several other industry names.
Meanwhile, all four actors have major projects lined up. Salman Khan is preparing for Battle of Galwan, Akshay Kumar will be seen in Bhooth Bangla, Ajay Devgn returns with Drishyam 3, and Aamir Khan is backing Ek Din, starring his son Junaid Khan.
Even as fans continue to ask about Shah Rukh Khan’s absence, the cover has undeniably become one of the most talked-about Bollywood moments of the year.
