For someone who has ruled the Box Office for nearly three decades with his films, Shah Rukh Khan has mostly stuck to a certain genre of cinema for greater part of his career. Playing the quintessential romantic hero- SRK has literally redefined romance and the concept of love for an entire generation.
But before SRK became the humongous superstar that he is now, the actor experimented with roles that most heroes of that time shied away from doing, calling them too ‘risky’ or ‘out of the box’. Roles which had SRK playing the antagonist or the hero with flaws- SRK, then a relative newcomer, lapped these up. They may have not been stupendous hits at the box office, but the actor in SRK was lauded for his choices and his performances.
Over the years, while Khan continues to churn blockbuster hits year after year, he often steps out of his usual realm of masala films and gives his nod to films which are offbeat- for not only a star but for any actor to do.
His blockbuster film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge continues to run in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir 21 years after its release. Perhaps it would be a good idea to re- release some of other films of the actor.
As he turns 51 today, here are some of the films that highlight Shah Rukh Khan’s versatility as an actor. And while we can never get over DDLJ’s magic, these films would also make for a good watch, once again on the big screen.
Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman: Directed by Aziz Mirza, the film was a poignant story of the stark divide between the haves and the have nots. SRK played Raj Mathur, a honest civil engineer who comes to Mumbai to make a living but soon gets lured into corrupt deeds of the company. As climbs the corporate ladder, he is compelled to be a part of the wrong doings of the company- thereby distancing himself from his loved ones.
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa: Perhaps SRK’s most honest performance till date, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa was a slice of life film directed by Kundan Shah. Set in Goa, the film had SRK playing a good for nothing fella in love with Anna (Suchitra Krishnamoorty) and his music. A film that highlighted the simple life of a Goan town, the film’s USP remained in its innocent story. A stark contrast from the big budget films that we associate the actor to nowadays, Kabhie Haan Kabhie Naa was a small film but with a beautiful message.
Dil Se: Mani Ratnam’s film was a Box Office failure at the time it first released. If the film releases now, it is bound to get more accolades that what it got back then. One of the few Hindi films that highlighted the plight of North East due to the presence of ULFA, the film had poignant performances by Khan and Manisha Koirala. It also marked the debut of Preity Zinta and boasted of superb music by AR Rahman.
Hey Raam: The film had SRK only in an extended cameo but the actor managed to make heads turn in that limited screen time. Set in the 1940s, the film had Kamal Haasan playing Saket Ram who turns against Muslims after his wife is raped and killed by a Muslim mob during the riots of 1947. Khan played a liberal Muslim in the film, a friend of Ram who questions his motives of wanting to kill Gandhi.
Asoka: Khan played emperor Asoka in this Santosh Sivan film which highlighted the early years of the emperor before he took to Buddhism. The film also highlighted Asoka and Kaurwaki’s love story which never culminated into marriage. The film remains one of the few period dramas that SRK has been a part of.
Kal Ho Naa Ho: Produced by Karan Johar and directed by Nikhil Advani, the film is still remembered for its performances and its music. One of the biggest hits of SRK’s career, Kal Ho Naa Ho had the actor playing Aman who comes into Naina (Preity Zinta) and Rohit’s (Saif Ali Khan) life only to change it completely. With witty dialogues and a beautiful message, Kal Ho Naa Ho is one film that can be watched repeatedly.
Paheli: Based on Mani Kaul 1973 film Duvidha, Paheli was directed by Amol Palekar and had SRK in a double role. Poignant story of Lachhi (Rani Mukerji) and her desires and love for a ghost, the film highlighted subtly the conditions of several women in rural Rajasthan. Lauded by critics, the film though tanked at the Box Office at a time when such films were considered too experimental.
Chak De India: It’s a film for all season. A film that redefined patriotism for the current generation, had SRK playing a hockey Coach for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team. A restrained performance coupled with powerful lines made SRK’s character Kabir Khan memorable.
Swades: A film that can remains relevant even in today’s time, Swades had SRK playing a NASA scientist who on a vacation to India, realizes that to solve pertinent issues of his village, he’d have to give up on the comforts of America. A poignant story of a common man finding his true calling- the film had SRK delivering one of the performances of his career.
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi: Who wouldn’t fall in love with the nervous, shy, earnest Surinder Sahni? SRK transformed himself to become a small towner who would go any length to win over his wife Tani. While the film’s plot was a tad bit unrealistic, it was SRK performance that won us over.
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