There is a segment in Netflix India’s documentary series The Romantics in which Shah Rukh Khan reminisces about how he came to Bollywood to become an action star in the mold of his idol Amitabh Bachchan. Defeating bad guys, walking around with stolen goods, and being an all-around badass was the idea that anyone at the time would become a superstar. (Also read – Shah Rukh Khan’s favorite movies are not ‘DDLJ’, ‘K3G’, ‘Mohabbatein’ or ‘Devdas’, but the ones that failed at the box office: ‘He is a big fan of love stories’ I hate it.”)
It was Yash Chopra who convinced him otherwise, telling him, “You shouldn’t waste your eyes on doing the right thing.” Shah Rukh eventually became the ultimate romantic hero of Hindi cinema and the superstar he wanted to be. However, although Shah Rukh found success with the characters of Rahul and Raj, he never gave up his desire to be more than that.
More than just a romantic hero
Even though Shah Rukh loves the romantic icon tag, especially the adoration that comes with it, it’s clear that he never wanted it. In director Nasreen Munni Kabir’s insightful documentary ‘The Outer Worlds of Shah Rukh Khan’, the actor considers himself to be Shah Rukh Khan, an actor and an employee of the brand. he said. For the past 30 years, all his efforts and choices have been for the brand. But sometimes, the real Shah Rukh’s desires overwhelm his calculating mind.
Even after he became the number one star in Bollywood thanks to his romantic roles, he still wanted more. He tried to become an action star with ‘One 2 Ka 4’ and ‘Badshah’. He worked hard to be taken seriously as an actor in “Sways” and “My Name is Khan.” And sometimes he even tried to give the kids what they wanted with outings like Ra.One. He also succeeded in persuading the Chopras family to give him a fight scene in all his films. But all the audience wanted from him was for him to stand in the Swiss Alps, arms outstretched, serenading the heroine in a chiffon sari. And that’s what he did in movie after movie and we loved him for that.
Is the Rahul Raj era over?
At 59 years old, Shah Rukh no longer cares about that image. Yes, he will still open his arms wide when meeting fans on the Mannat platform. After all, it’s all for them. Yes, he will still recite a poem from Jab Tak Hai Jaan or a verse from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to a blushing host at an event. It makes for good television (and reels). But on the big screen, the guy wants to do what he wants. For his comeback, he chose two of the most un-SRK films possible, Pathaan and Jawan. Both mid-season action movies succeeded because the actors injected wit and charm into their characters, and hungry fans were outraged.
If the rumors that his next King resembles Leon the Professional in spirit are true, it’s clear that the veteran star is fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming an action star. And if King does well, more such offers will come his way. Rajinikanth and Mammootty gave a blueprint for how actors can become action superstars even in their 60s and 70s. Shah Rukh might follow suit. The question then becomes, will we be able to see Raj and Rahul on screen again? The answer is, you don’t have to. Shah Rukh has reinvented himself to suit the changing times. Perhaps he wants his legacy to be more than just the king of romance. And we are all with him on this journey.
