King bounces back with bang

 

King bounces back with bang

2023 proved to be a fantastic year for Shahrukh Khan, popularly known as King Khan or Badshah of Bollywood as his two films ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Jawan’ proved to be super blockbusters at box office. The words  King and Badshah have different kind of connection with Shahrukh. He had done a film titled ‘King Uncle’ and ‘Badshah’ long back. In ‘King Uncle’ Jackie Shroff also had played an important role. As far as ‘Badshah’ was concerned, it was a comedy film and Twinkle Khanna was the leading lady in the movie.

Shahrukh Khan has given many hit and blockbuster films in his career spanning more than thirty years. Some of his memorable films include ‘Baazigar’, ‘Darr’, ‘Anjaam’, ‘Karan Arjun’, ‘Koyla,’, ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge’, ‘Kutch Kutch Hota Hai’, ‘Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gam’, ‘Swades’, ‘Asoka’, ‘Don’ series, among others.

One of the important characteristics of his career is that he has always experimented and played variety of roles. He was even not afraid of portraying negative roles. For instance, in movies like ‘Anjaam’, ‘Darr’ and ‘Baazigar’ his character was having dark shades. Rather, in these films he played villain and most importantly he got love from audience. His negative roles also became iconic. One can say that his character from these films became more popular than heroes. It is said that Sunny Deol was quite unhappy and upset with Yashraj Films after the release of ‘Darr’ as Shahrukh’s villain became a rage with movie goers. Of course, Sunny Deol had also given a stellar performance in this film. It would not be an exaggeration if we say that Shahrukh made neo-noir genre popular in India during 1990s.

Due to his readiness to try all kind of roles as an actor he is popular among the leading film makers like Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and many more. In December 2023 his another film titled ‘Dunki’ is going to be released. It is directed by one of the sensitive and great directors from Bollywood viz. Rajkumar Hirani. ‘Dunki’ is a comedy film on illegal migration to Europe and America. It’s a well-known fact that many youngsters from north India, especially from Punjab dream about migrating to Europe or America. They at a time are ready to do anything and go to any extreme for fulfilling their dream of going to these countries. Even, they follow illegal measures for migrating to this developed western world. Rajkumar Hirani is known for meaningful films like ‘Munnabhai MBBS’, ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’, ‘Three Idiots’, ‘PK’. He had also directed ‘Sanju’, a biopic on Sanjay Dutt. All these films are popular for good performances by actors like Sanjay Dutt, Aamir Khan and Ranbeer Kapoor and superb direction of Rajkumar Hirani. Going by the track record of Shahrukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani ‘Dunki’ would definitely be a good film from acting and direction point of view.

Another important aspect of Shahrukh Khan is that he is not only an actor and superstar but also a producer. He has produced films like ‘Chalte,  Chalte’, ‘Asoka’, ‘Paheli’, ‘Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani ‘, ‘Om Shanti Om’, Billu Barber’, etc. and webseries titled ‘The Bard of Blood’ through his entertainment company known as Red Chillies Entertainment. ‘The Bard of Blood’ is available on Netflix OTT Platform. In 2023 he produced and acted in ‘Jawan’.

As mentioned earlier in 2023 ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Jawan’ have made smashing business creating new records at box office for Hindi films. For last few years his movies were not doing business matching to his track record and stature. Hence, Shahrukh had taken a little break for a few time and has bounced back with big bang in style or in true King’s or ‘Badshah’s style. His critics were saying that his career was over. But, one thing should not be forgotten that the three Khans of Bollywood namely Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan are the Superstars in the real sense of the term and command great popularity and loyalty from their fans. Most importantly, they also experiment with the times and give hundred percent pure entertainment to the audience. This is one of the reasons that they are ruling Bollywood for more than three decades with swag.

2023 no doubt belongs to Shahrukh Khan. In Tiger 3 Salman Khan says that ‘Jab Tak Tiger Mara Nahi Tab Tak Tiger Hara Nahi’. Likewise in respect with Shahrukh Khan one can say that ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan Tab Tak Hai Shahrukh Khan’.