How do you think would the audiences respond when their favourite superstars appear on the big screens after a brief or long hiatus? ‘Rejoice’ is the word to describe their excitement. Here, we look at the three actors who made a spectacular comeback following their time away from the silver screen Shah Rukh KhanA Still from ‘Pathaan’ (2023)In an interview given to a Hollywood magazine ‘Variety’, director Siddharth Anand dissected the reason behind the massive success of his latest film Pathaan. “There was a lot of curiosity to see Shah Rukh Khan back after his hiatus — he took a break from media, from appearances, he just became inaccessible to the world. There suddenly was a thirst that he created for him — today, audiences are used to stars being out there in social media and events and everywhere,” said Siddharth Anand. He further added, “He created that enigmatic quality, that mystery around him, which a star should have and then did a film that is in a very popular genre," Anand continued. "That, coupled with the fact that the teaser landed so well, the songs became such huge hits, and to top it, the entire trailer gave the impact that it should. Everything just fell into place for the film. That's what created this mass hysteria.” ‘Pathaan’, to date, has grossed more than Rs 850 crore worldwide and more importantly has infused fresh life into the sagging Bollywood box-office. ChiranjeeviA Still from ‘Khaidi No 150’ (2017)After his film Shankar Dada Zindabad in 2007, Chiranjeevi quit films and floated his own political party ‘Praja Rajyam’. He did not meet with the kind of success he hoped for in politics and came back to films with his 150th movie Khaidi No 150 (2017). The movie released for Sankranthi, six months shy of his 10-year break from films and was very successful at the ticket-window. ‘Khaidi No 150’ grossed more than Rs 160 crore worldwide and cemented Chiranjeevi’s position as the undisputable star of Tollywood. Fans were hungry for his presence and through the film, he selected the perfect mass entertainer that thrilled his fans pretty much like Shah Rukh did with ‘Pathaan’ recently. On the eve of the film's release, Chiranjeevi said, “I am not nervous, but only curious to see how my fans will receive me after such a long time. But the support from my family and well-wishers has been incredible. I should especially thank my son Ram Charan who was instrumental in getting me back in shape. As soon as the script for ‘Khaidi 150’ was locked, he made me take up a strict diet regimen and work out regularly. He cared more for me than a son would normally for his father.”Aamir KhanA Still from Laal Singh Chaddha (2021)There is another superstar Aamir Khan who has announced a break from acting yet has the ability to make a stunning comeback on the lines of Shah Rukh Khan and Chiranjeevi. Aamir Khan’s last film Laal Singh Chaddha released on August 11, 2022. The movie was badly affected by the #BoycottBollywood movement and ended up as a colossal failure. Following this, Aamir Khan issued a statement saying, “I feel I have been working for 35 years and I have single-mindedly focused on my work. I feel that it’s not fair to people who are close to me. This is the time I feel I have to take some time off to be with them, and actually experience life in a different way. I am looking forward to the next year, year-and-a-half in which I am not working as an actor.” It could be at least three to four years before we see him back in action again. And fans would be praying that he does indeed come back in style.