Shah Rukh Khan Birthday: Here’s Why SRK is Called ‘King Khan’ – News18

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAH RUKH KHAN: It has been over three decades since Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s name became synonymous with romance and fans still can’t get over it. Be it his killer charm or dimpled smile, the magic that he has created on the silver screen is far beyond anyone’s reach.

At 58, he is one of the highest-past actors in the world with a catalogue of more than 75 films. It is his global appeal that puts him well ahead of several megastars of Hollywood. But did you know he never planned to become an actor? His stardom was a blessing in disguise. To mark the special occasion of his birthday on Thursday, November 2, here’s taking a quick look at his journey in Bollywood.

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How Did It All Begin?

Shah Rukh Khan kick-started his acting journey on the small screen. It was a coincidence that Shah Rukh Khan’s landlord happened to be a television director, he ended up auditioning for a part in the TV show and bagged the lead role in Fauji. He hasn’t looked back since.

Hailing from a middle-class family in Delhi, SRK faced financial struggles but it was the death of his mother that drove him away from the city.

He consulted his wife Gauri about needing a change in his life and he moved to Mumbai only for a year initially, but it has been decades now he hasn’t returned.

Though known as the King of Romance, his journey had an anti-hero start. He took up the risk of playing villains in blockbuster hits Baazigar, Anjaam, and Darr that included his iconic dialogue “I love you, K-k-k-Kiran.”

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The Romance King

SRK is arguably every woman’s dream man in India. He still has the charm of making viewers swoon over his million-dollar smile and the wide-open arms gesture. What switched his career trajectory was the cult hit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, which became the longest-running film in history for running 1,000 consecutive weeks in one Indian cinema.

It catapulted him to become the country’s leading hero. From giving us the popular notion “Pyar dosti hai” in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to getting entangled in Dil To Pagal Hai’s love triangle, it was his emotiveness that made shockwaves in the hearts of many.

The aura of his 90s romance only continued in the following years with Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Devdas, Veer-Zaara, and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. While playing romantic leads became his strong play, it didn’t keep him from challenging himself.

Unconventional SRK

In Swades, he played the stoic role of scientist Mohan Bhargav who can never be forgotten. While his hockey coach in Chak Ke! India still doesn’t fail to instil patriotism in moviegoers’ hearts.

And who can forget the iconic line “Agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho … to puri kainaat usse tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai” from Om Shanti Om.

The list of his unconventional roles is incomplete without the addition of My Name Is Khan, where he plays a man with Asperger’s syndrome, dealing with violence and terrorism but embarks on a journey to change people’s perception about the Islamic community.

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Long before the introduction of graphics-oriented movies like Brahmastra in Bollywood, SRK gave us Ra.One. Although the movie didn’t perform well at the box office, it did end up getting its due acclamation over time.

The Poetic Charm

As the journey continued, he didn’t shy away from sailing down his standard-issue Khan energy to play mild roles attached to elegant poetic aphorisms. Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Dear Zindagi, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil would be enough to name a few.

He has made audiences laugh in Chennai Express and Happy New Year. Also, transformed into a mass rugged action figure in the latest releases like Pathaan and Jawaan.

No matter Kal Ho Naa Ho, his magical aura can never cease to exist.