Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan (born November 2, 1965, Delhi, India) is an Indian actor known for his powerful screen presence and global appeal. Commonly known as SRK (an abbreviation of his full name), he is regarded as one of the icons of Indian cinema and an integral part of popular culture. His portrayal of the romantic hero in Bollywood films such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995; “The Brave-Hearted Will Win the Bride”) is regarded as unrivaled. Two of his releases in 2023—Jawan (“Soldier”) and Pathaan—are among the 10 top-grossing Indian films of all time. To his millions of fans worldwide, he is “King Khan.”

Early life and career

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hans Raj College, University of Delhi, in 1988, and beginning a master’s degree in mass communication at Jamia Millia Islamia, Khan dropped out of academic studies to pursue a career in acting. He entered the film industry through work in theater and television. His first acting jobs were in television serials such as Fauji (1988; in the role of a commando) and Circus (1989), which won him instant recognition. Khan lost his father, Meer Taj Mohammad Khan, in 1981, when he was just 15, and his mother, Lateef Fatima Khan, in 1991. He married Gauri Chibber (now Gauri Khan, a producer and interior designer) in 1991 and moved to Mumbai that same year, venturing into Bollywood.

Breakthrough

Shah Rukh Khan found immediate success with the release of his debut film Deewana (1992; “Crazy”). He had 10 releases in 1992–94, among them Chamatkar (“Miracle”), Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (“Raju Becomes a Gentleman”), and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (“Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No”). He was a rising star and also an unorthodox one, picking films that resisted casting him in the traditional mold of a romantic hero, the screen incarnation that would eventually make him a superstar. Initially, Khan’s popularity was based on his antihero portrayals in Baazigar (1993; “Gambler”) and Darr (1993; “Fear”). He rejected the image of the conventional hero in both films and created his own version of the villain. Both films marked the start of two enduring professional partnerships for Khan: with his Baazigar co-star Kajol, and with Darr director Yash Chopra. He featured in yet another antihero role in Anjaam (1994; “Consequence”), opposite Madhuri Dixit.

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Stardom

In 1995 Khan starred in the film that was to accelerate his ascent from star to superstar: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, popularly known as DDLJ, is considered a genre-defining film in Indian cinema. DDLJ, by common consensus the ultimate Bollywood romance, presented Khan as the quintessential romantic hero, a mantle he embraced in subsequent films such as Dil To Pagal Hai (1997; “The Heart Is Crazy”), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998; “Something Happens”), and Veer-Zaara (2004). Some iterations of the romantic hero had a tragic arc, such as in the films Dil Se... (1998; “From the Heart”), Devdas (2002), and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003; “Tomorrow May Never Come”).

Khan was also cast in action roles in films such as Karan Arjun (1995), Don (2004, sequel 2011), and Main Hoon Na (2004; “I’m Here”). He displayed his comic flair in films such as Duplicate (1998), Baadshah (1999, “Emperor”), Chennai Express (2013), and Happy New Year (2014). Primarily known for appearing in blockbusters that often featured elements of melodrama, Khan also delivered critically acclaimed performances in Swades (2004; “Homeland”), Paheli (2005, “Riddle”), Chak De! India (2007; “Come On! India”), My Name Is Khan (2010), Dear Zindagi (2016; “To Life”), and Raees (2017; “Boss”).

Career slump and comeback

Khan took a break from 2018 to 2023 after the box office failure of films such as Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017; “When Harry Met Sejal”) and Zero (2018). During this time he played cameo parts in Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (2022; “Brahma’s Weapon”) and a handful of other films but did not appear in a lead role. In 2023 he shot back to the top of the box office charts with a trifecta of hits: he played a spy in the action thriller Pathaan, the double role of father and son in Jawan, and an ex-soldier in Dunki (“Donkey”). All three films cast Khan as an action hero, and Jawan and Dunki are also noted for their social messaging: Jawan addressed political and systemic corruption, and Dunki tackled the issue of an illegal immigration technique called “donkey flight.”

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Screen partnerships

Shah Rukh Khan is known for his collaborative work with a number of actresses and filmmakers. His partnership with Kajol in films such as DDLJ, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001; “Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness”) is considered iconic. He has costarred frequently with Bollywood actresses Juhi Chawla, Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Kareena Kapoor.

He was directed by Yash Chopra in Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, Veer-Zaara, and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012; “As Long as I Live”). He starred in several movies produced by Yash Raj Films, the production house Chopra founded; among these were DDLJ, Mohabbatein (2000; “Love Stories”), Chak De! India, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008; “Match Made by God”), Fan (2016), and Pathaan. Filmmaker Karan Johar directed him in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006; “Never Say Goodbye”), My Name Is Khan, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016; “Dear Heart, It’s Difficult”).

Controversies

Khan has frequently been in the headlines for reasons other than film releases or events. On three occasions he has been detained at U.S. airports (2009, Newark, New Jersey; 2012, Westchester County, New York; 2016, Los Angeles) for secondary screening, allegedly because his name matched an entry on a terror watch list. In 2012 he was banned from the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai after an altercation with a security staffer; the ban was lifted in 2015. The same year, he was widely criticized for describing India as “intolerant” in an interview. In 2021 Khan and his family navigated a period of great personal distress when his son Aryan was arrested in a drug bust by the Narcotics Control Bureau. Aryan was released on bail after nearly a month in jail and later cleared of all charges.

Legacy

Shah Rukh Khan is known for his distinctive acting style featuring mannerisms and line delivery that are unique to him. In many films, he strikes a signature arms-outstretched pose that has become a widely referenced part of Indian pop culture. Khan and wife Gauri Khan co-own a film production house called Red Chillies Entertainment, which has backed successful movies such as Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om (2007), and Jawan. In 2008 he became a co-owner of the Indian Premier League cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders. He hosted one season (2007) of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of the quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

In 2005 Khan was presented the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards. As of 2023 he had won eight Filmfare Awards in the best actor category, in addition to awards in various other categories—he shares the record for most best actor Filmfare Award wins with Dilip Kumar. Time magazine listed him as one of the 100 most influential people of 2023.