Shah Rukh Khan, the king of Bollywood, has always been known for his romantic roles. However, there’s more to him as an actor. Over the years, SRK has tried to break free from this mold and explore different genres, but his attempts to experiment have not always been well-received by the audience. Karan Johar recently spoke about why these experimental films didn’t click with the public and how it shaped SRK’s career choices.
SRK’s Attempts at Experimentation: A Mixed Bag
In recent years, Shah Rukh Khan has faced a rollercoaster in his career. After delivering back-to-back flops like Zero and Fan, many believed that his willingness to experiment with unique roles was the reason for his lack of box-office success. Earlier films like Ashoka, Paheli, and Ra.One were also attempts to break away from the conventional hero image, but they too underperformed.
According to Karan Johar, SRK’s passion for doing something different has always been there. He said, “Shah Rukh has always tried to take risks with his film choices. He worked with directors like Ketan Mehta and Kundan Shah, wanting to step away from mainstream cinema. But the audience didn’t accept him in these roles.”
The DDLJ Effect: How One Film Shaped His Career
Karan Johar shared that while Shah Rukh Khan wanted to challenge himself as an actor, his path changed dramatically after the release of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). This blockbuster film solidified his image as the ultimate romantic hero, and filmmakers began casting him in similar roles. The love for his on-screen persona from DDLJ became a double-edged sword. While SRK became a megastar, his more experimental projects were overshadowed by audience expectations.
Karan said, “After DDLJ, every director saw Shah Rukh as the romantic lead. But Shah Rukh himself wanted to do more, to push boundaries. Unfortunately, we didn’t give him the space to experiment. The audience wanted to see him as the romantic hero, and nothing else.”
Return to Mainstream Success in 2023
Fast forward to 2023, Shah Rukh Khan has returned to his star power with hits like Pathan, Jawaan, and Dunki. These films brought him back into the limelight, dominating the box office and winning over audiences. Karan believes that SRK has now left behind the struggles of balancing mainstream and experimental films. He has once again embraced big-budget, crowd-pleasing roles, while still keeping some of his unique touch.
Future Projects: Another Shift?
Though Shah Rukh Khan’s 2023 films have been major box-office hits, his upcoming film King could hint at another shift. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, known for his work on Kahaani, the film is expected to be an action thriller. With Ghosh at the helm, it might offer a different flavor compared to SRK’s recent hits, while still maintaining his appeal as a leading star.
Karan Johar suggests that while the public hasn’t always embraced Shah Rukh Khan’s experimental side, he remains committed to pushing the boundaries of cinema when the time is right.
