Shah Rukh Khan, an idol to many, celebrates his 59th birthday today. The love for movies has brought him a fan base that has expanded beyond global boundaries. The star has been a face of Indian cinema for more than 32 years now, and nothing looks more rigid than the fans stuck to his side. The life of Shah has always been connected with the camera, whether it was about his TV show “Fauji” or his latest blockbuster “Jawan.” Let’s navigate how, with each phase of being a film star, Shah has been a totally different person throughout the journey.
Deewana: Shah being a tough nut to crack!
*The beginning of his career can’t be skipped. At the time when he was cast by Hema Malini, he wasn’t the King of Bollywood. The headlines at the release of “Deewana” never directly mentioned him as a hero, as he was easier to criticize. Being under the shadow of well-known stars of that time Rishi Kapoor, Divya Bharti, and Amrish Puri—he still managed to impress the industry from within with the grace and talent he possessed. As the second-highest grosser of that year, the movie became a successful launchpad for his career. The audience stood up from their seats when he entered singing “Koi Na Koi Chahiye.”
Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman: The same year but a different aura.
How long does it usually take a newbie to prove that they can repeat the beginner’s luck? Usually, the answer depends on the person. Being the person that Shah Rukh is, he made sure that the same year proved his worth! 1992 had another Shah Rukh movie, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman. The movie collected an average amount of money, but now Shah Rukh was being praised for his work, and love started coming his way.
1995: The DDLJ effect or the Shah Rukh Khan charisma?
In the short duration of just three years, Shah released multiple movies, including Chamatkar, Karan Arjun, Guddu, Ram Jaane, and many more. But none of these matched the popularity that was coming his way. The iconic Shah Rukh Khan wide-arm pose belongs to DDLJ. The train scene, the dance sequences, the classic love story touch—the universe conspired to give the perfect booster to Shah’s career. But would it have worked for any other actor if not for Shah? That still remains a question. The movie was followed by cults like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Baadshah, Pardes, and many more, ensuring Shah’s place on the throne of Bollywood.
Kal Ho Na Ho: The Kingship has settled!
The 2000s, being the time of renowned Hindi cinema, made it normal to tag Shah Rukh whenever the word “King” was used. The image of an angel got stitched to Shah, much like the character of Aman that he played in Kal Ho Na Ho. Every girl started manifesting a person like Shah to be in love with, as the graph of seeking Shah Rukh started in Indian households. On one hand, he became India’s loverboy, but on the other, a stereotype formed that “Shah can’t do action cinema and has terrible comic timing.”
Chennai Express: The last successful ride.
Rohit Shetty definitely bashed the idea that comedy isn’t SRK’s forte. The movie diluted all those acidic claims of SRK delivering clichéd performances, even after working in Darr and the Don series. The movie made a positive impact on his career, with an entrance into the 300 crore club, but it also marked the beginning of a box-office drought. The audience started a boycott trend against Shah Rukh due to false remarks made in the actor’s name.
Pathaan: History offers the throne again to Shah.
Experiments with movies like Zero and Raees didn’t get the response they had hoped for, which led SRK to take a five-year break. These five years also saw the Covid-19 lockdown saga. When Bollywood struggled to make a mark, Shah announced the arrival of Pathaan. Coming as an action hero after back-to-back box-office failures was another major experiment. But this time, the fans made sure their star got back on stage. The Shah that the world witnessed at the release of Pathaan was a version that ignited a spark of creativity and bold moves within the industry. Marking a 1000 crore collection with Pathaan, and then repeating it just seven months later with Jawan, confirmed that he is still the undisputed king.
The Conclusion
To conclude, we quote the actor himself: “I am the last of the stars.” Shah Rukh Khan, being the icon he is and with the movies he has chosen, has ensured that he stays relevant yet progressive. Glamsham wishes the giant star a Happy 59th Birthday.
Credits – Shivam Bhardwaj
