The twitterati are pointing to the similar scar marks, the thick beard, the mane, the bare chest… and gloating that Ranveer Singh, in the first look as Alauddin Khilji, is the spitting image of Game of Thrones’ Khal Drogo. We think director Sanjay Leela Bhansali must be shaking with silent laughter – even had he tried, he wouldn’t have been able to create a bigger noise around the unveiling of his Khilji. Nothing fires the imagination of youth across India and around the world more than the Game of Thrones, the fantasy drama television series which is ruling the airwaves for its acting, complex characters, story, scope, production values, and frequent nudity and violence.

Time to get to know both Khal Drogo and Khilji, warlords with a vital difference, a little better…

Khal Drogo
Drogo is a powerful khal, or warlord, of a tribal nation of horse riders. An accomplished warrior, he has never been defeated in battle. In the teleseries, Viserys Targaryen and Illyrio Mopatis get Daenerys Targaryen married to Khal to win his support and warriors for the invasion of Westeros. This fierce warlord actually proves to be a kind, sensitive, and loving husband. After a failed attempt on Daenerys's life, he promises to invade Westeros, but is fatally wounded in battle. As he develops sepsis, Daenerys unknowingly sacrifices their unborn son to save him with blood magic. However, Khal is left in a catatonic state and Daenerys puts him out of his misery by euthanising him.

Alauddin Khilji
Ascending the throne after murdering his uncle, the tyrannical Khilji became ruler of Delhi and spared no effort to forcefully expand his kingdom. On August 26, 1303, he is said to have attacked and captured Chittorgarh in a historic battle. It is believed that he did so as punishment to Ratan Singh, for not allowing his armies to march through Mewar to reach Gujarat, which he had already captured. Legend has it that he had another reason to mount this attack – to add the famed beauty, Queen Padmini, to his vast harem. The viewing of the Queen’s beauty, Ratan Singh’s kidnapping and rescue, the siege of Chittor, the battle to the finish, and the Queen’s final step of mass suicide or jauhar, to save their honour… it is a legend to rival any fantasy tale of love, blood, power and honour.

Thanks Bhansali, for our very own Khal Drogo!