Shah Rukh Khan. The very name is synonymous with Bollywood. Also fondly venerated as King Khan or SRK, Khan has carved a unique niche in the industry. From starting as a villainous supporting actor to a romantic leading man to joining the YRF Spy Universe, Khan continues to entertain fans not just in his home country but all around the world.
Here’s a look at some of his quintessential career highlights.
Villainous Origins
After drawing praise for his leading acts in TV shows like Fauji and Circus, Shah Rukh Khan tried his hand at acting on the big screen. But the future megastar wouldn’t get lead roles right away. He had to initially make his mark as a villainous figure, with Darr (1993) offering a breakout performance as a deranged stalker. Subsequent roles like revenge-seeking antihero in Baazigar (1993) further established him as a reliable villain.
The King of Romance
Melodramatic romance has enamoured Bollywood since its very origins. But Shah Rukh Khan had a major role to play in redefining cinematic love in the 1990s and the 2000s, starting with his evergreen classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). The blockbuster helped him establish a formidable partnership with production studio Yash Raj Films in churning out many more romances like the cross-border drama Veer-Zara (2004) and the feel-good comedy Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008).
Khan has also exhibited notable on-screen chemistry with frequent collaborators like Kajol whom he romanced in Dilwale Dulhania and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). Many of Deepika Padukone’s best movies also pair her opposite Khan, such as Om Shanti Om (2007) and Chennai Express (2013). Their chemistry amuses audiences even if Padukone is in a special appearance. Take the case of the 2023 Shah Rukh Khan movie Jawan.
Breaking Typecast
While a large chunk of Shah Rukh Khan’s movies are family-friendly romances, the actor is not afraid to experiment. He has surprised critics with tragiromantic intensity in Dil Se (1998) and Devdas (2002) played a tough-as-nails hockey coach in Chak De India (2007), wielded the sword of the titular emperor in Asoka (2001), and played an unconventionally wholesome psychologist in Dear Zindagi (2016).
An Action Hero
Shah Rukh Khan’s early films in the 1990s did demand some action from him but it’s perhaps his remake of Don (2006) that opened up the potential for him as a proper action star. The crime thriller’s sequel Don 2 (2011) and the sci-fi video game saga Ra. One (2011) bore further testimony to this. It’s all the more exciting for SRK fans to witness their favourite actor still indulge in high-octane action in his late 50s with the record-breaking successes of Pathaan and Jawan (both 2023).
What is Shah Rukh Khan’s best movie?
Shah Rukh Khan isn’t the one to cater to niche audiences with arthouse credits. But still, his critically acclaimed performance in My Name is Khan (2010) perfectly reflects his ability to spread serious social messages universally. The film found him playing a man with autism dealing with post-9/11 Islamophobia in America. Directed by frequent collaborator Karan Johar, My Name is Khan perfectly sums up the entirety of SRK’s acting range. He’s equal parts charming and emotional as Rizwan Khan, drawing everyone to tears towards the end. Who knew the King of Romance could be this intense?
Where can you watch Shah Rukh Khan’s filmography?
Considering how popular Shah Rukh Khan is, most of his best films are easily available on leading streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video as well as India-only services like Eros Now and Jio Cinema.
