Vivek Oberoi has sparked a fresh round of debate with his recent comments on the impermanence of fame, suggesting that even a superstar as influential as Shah Rukh Khan may not be remembered by future generations. Speaking to Pinkvilla, the actor reflected on the cyclical nature of stardom and how time eventually dims even the brightest legacies.
“Which film, starring who worked in the 1960s, you ask anyone about that today, nobody cares,” Vivek remarked, pointing to how past icons often fade from collective memory. Extending this analogy to contemporary cinema, he added, “2050 mein log bolenge kaun Shah Rukh Khan, shayad,” implying that decades from now, the recognition attached to Shah Rukh’s name may no longer hold the same weight.
To further illustrate his point, Vivek referenced Raj Kapoor — widely regarded as one of the most legendary figures in Indian cinema. He noted that despite Kapoor’s towering status, many young fans today are barely aware of his legacy. “Like people today might ask, ‘Who is Raj Kapoor?’ You and I, we call him the god of cinema, but if you ask any youngster who is a fan of Ranbir Kapoor, they might not even know who Raj Kapoor was. So maybe history relegates you into nothingness,” he said.
Vivek’s comments have stirred conversation across social media, prompting discussions on how cultural memory is shaped and reshaped with each generation. Yet, despite his provocative assertion, Shah Rukh Khan’s current relevance is undeniable. The actor continues to dominate Indian cinema, with 2023 marking one of the biggest years of his career. His three releases — Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki — collectively earned over ₹2,600 crore worldwide, reaffirming his status as Bollywood’s most bankable star.
Looking ahead, Shah Rukh is gearing up for the action thriller King, directed by Siddharth Anand. The film’s teaser, released on the actor’s 60th birthday, has generated massive excitement. King features Suhana Khan in a prominent role, alongside Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Arshad Warsi, Abhishek Bachchan, Raghav Juyal and others. SRK also recently made a cameo in his son Aryan Khan’s Netflix debut series The Bads of Bollywood, produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and featuring appearances by major industry figures such as SS Rajamouli, Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.
Vivek Oberoi’s remarks have reignited conversations about legacy, longevity and the evolution of cultural memory. Whether the world will truly “forget” Shah Rukh Khan decades from now remains uncertain but for now, his influence on Indian cinema is both unmatched and enduring.
