Shahrukh Khan-Why SRK is the baadshah of Bollywood

Happy birthday to SRK-Bollywood’s baadshah and super achiever! His fans, including me admire him for his wit, his confidence and his ability to take risks. SRK took risks at every turn of his career be it in the choice of movies or hosting a KBC. He took a risk playing a negative role in Baazigar which most actors would not touch with a bargepole. SRK then risked distributing Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, because the movie lacked a ‘saleable’ factor, as SRK wasn’t really a star then. SRK risked doing a classic like Devdas and again risked playing with a timeless hit –Don-The chase begins. All these movies proved to be stepping stones in SRK’s claim to fame.

Once Anil Kapoor had remarked to SRK,”Tum actor ho…Kaha ads-wads ke chakkar pe pad rahein ho?” This was during the time when actors lived in seclusion and would think below their dignity to appear in television commercials. Nevertheless SRK forego the risk of overexposure, because he believed in the power of brand equity, and started to appear in television commercials. Now almost every commercial on television features an actor. The king undoubtedly manages to have the last laugh every time he takes a risk.

Purely due to his stylish acting, flair and charisma, SRK manages to turn an advertisement, an awards show, a quiz show or a movie into a successful proposition. SRK’s energy and sheer presence elevates the standard of a movie notches above its script.


SRK is the most versatile actor around who has played a large variety of roles. Cynics can check the contradictions in every two of his characters played by him:
A love struck teenager (Kabhi Haa Kabhi Naa) vs A doting responsible father-(Kuch Kuch Hota Hai)
Mr.Good Boy(Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) vs Mr. Bad Boy(Josh)
Messiah of peace(Mohabbatein) vs Sick violent man(Anjaam)
An inquisitive journalist(Dil se) vs A spoilt brat(Deewana)
A possessive lover(Darr) vs An epitome of sacrifice(Veer Zaara)
An emperor-Asoka vs A confused buffoon-Chamatkar
A drunkard negative person (Devdas) vs A person with a positive view towards life(Kal Ho Na Ho)
A simple scientist with a hard of gold(Swades) vs a scheming Don(Don-The Chase Begins)
A sportscoach(Chak De) vs An actor (Om Shanti Om)

With 6 filmfare awards, second only to Dilip Kumar, the magic of SRK sizzles Bollywood. Shahrukh has been the part of some of the biggest hits since the last 14 years. In fact Priyanka Chopra has stated that she started watching movies after Shahrukh arrived. I share the same sentiments with her as do many of SRK fans.

SRK has a major contribution to play in reducing the so called ‘filmi’ and vulgar movies and making movies which are clean, endearing and watchable. Even the hardcore SRK detractors have found SRK endearing in off-beat movies like Swades and Chak De. As SRK says, you can love him or hate him but you cannot ignore him. Hope SRK continues being a source of inspiration for many! SRK has kicked butt big time but we hope he kicks butt for good(quits smoking)!