Mumbai: It is the war of the whiskers. Shah Rukh Khan’s moustache in Paheli is the talk of Hindi moviegoers. Now there is Aamir Khan coming up with a moustache as Mangal Pandey in Mangal Pandey - The Rising.

Several Internet sites have an ongoing debate on the issue. Says Shah Rukh: “I don’t see a national debate on the issue. But, yes, a moustache is what my character in Paheli required. My director Amol Palekar thought it suited the character, and that’s it. As for whether my fans will like me with a moustache or not... I think they love me no matter what I do.” Aamir Khan’s much talked about hairy look as Mangal Pandey could be a cause for box office concern. The only time Aamir has attempted a growth on his upper lip was in a disastrous film called Aatank Hi Aatank with Aamir trying desperately to look like a dreaded don. He regards it as the worst performance of his career, though he doesn’t blame the moustache for it. Is the moustache in vogue this year? Anant Mahadevan is planning to give his leading man Sammir Dattani a mouche to play one of the two characters in Do Dooni Chaar. Shah Rukh could not revive the era of the moustache in Paheli. But if Aamir’s new look works, it could mean a new beginning for the moustache! — HNS