Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan at 46

Shah Rukh became an actor because his mother told him he reminded her of the young Dilip Kumar. Years later when Saira Banu saw him debut as an actor; she also said that his mannerism and acting was like Yusuf Saab. For some film buffs, Hindi films can be broadly divided into three eras ruled by three superstars- Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. For the past two decades King Khan has been the undisputed ‘Badshah of Bollywood.’ Photos on Page 5: Life and times of SRK

Shah Rukh Khan at 46

Shah Rukh Khan’s foray into Bollywood has been unconventional in some ways. While most actors choose to play it safe, Shah Rukh’s most memorable early roles were the ones in which he played the negative hero. Not only were his performances in films like ‘Baazigar’, ‘Darr’ and ‘Anjaam’ appreciated but the films became super hits in the ‘90s.
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Shah Rukh Khan at 46

Just when you thought that SRK could be labeled as the antihero, Shah Rukh urged the audience to “come…fall in love…all over again” in ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’. At a time when films like ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’, ‘Dil’ and ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ was all about rebelling against parental opposition, SRK redefined love stories. In DDLJ, despite strong opposition from Simran’s father, Raj (Shah Rukh) prefers to win over her entire family rather than elope and get married. Although the protagonist is exposed to a Western upbringing in London, he adheres to the “Indian tradition” of seeking her parents’ blessings in marriage.

Shah Rukh Khan at 46

Shah Rukh belted out one romantic hit after the other with films like ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’, ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ and ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’. But the best was yet to come – Shah Rukh had always been accused of hamming but his work in ‘Swades’, ‘Chak De’ and ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ silenced his worst critics.

At 46, King Khan still manages to play a convincing superhero and ‘Don 2’ is his next release. Doesn’t look like the SRK era is ending anytime soon.
Watch video: SRK brings Bollywood superhero to UK

Life and times of Shah Rukh Khan in pictures.
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(Rummana Ahmed)