Introduction
Romance and drama have always been Bollywood’s cornerstone, and Shah Rukh Khan has always been its centrepiece. Referred to as the “king of romance”, Shah Rukh Khan has a diverse range of films across genres in his repertoire. He began his career as a television actor and then moved on to star in movies. Initially, starring in dark roles and playing morally ambiguous characters, it was his romantic movies that cemented his position in the industry. Here are the top 10 Shah Rukh Khan movies that you must watch to experience his full potential.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Plot Summary
If you want to see a Shah Rukh Khan movie, then DDLJ is one of the quintessential must-watch SRK films in his filmography. The plot revolves around the eternal love story of Raj and Simran and their affair across Europe. Challenges throw a spanner in their love story as Simran’s father arranges her marriage back in India. Raj travels to India to save his rival-turned-lover’s relationship with Simraj and convince him to accept his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Iconic Scenes
Considered as one of the best SRK movies, the film is iconic for its dialogue, its narrative, and the charismatic performance of SRK and Kajol in the leads. The movie is replete with one of the most iconic scenes of Hindi cinema. The scene at the train station is the most memorable, where Simran runs towards Raj and gets into the train coach. “Palat” is one of the memorable moments on the Internet, with memes turning up. Also, one other memorable scene is where Raj is singing in the open field with a mandolin amidst a sea of yellow flowers.
Cultural Impact
The movie was an immediate blockbuster upon release, breaking box-office records and becoming one of the longest-running movies in theatres. DDLJ is the cultural touchstone and redefined romance for a whole generation. The story became memorable, the dialogue endlessly quotable, and the scenes became etched in memory. Set both in Europe and India, it set the stage for the representation of non-resident Indians in Indian movies. It also redefined family dynamics, combining traditional values with the icing of modernity.
Chak De! India
Storyline
Chak De! India is a sports drama starring Shah Rukh Khan as the hockey coach Kabir Khan, who leads the Indian women’s hockey team to victory. Initially, accused of bribery, embroiled in scandal, Kabir Khan, the disgraced player, makes a comeback as the coach of India’s women’s hockey team. The women’s hockey team is at first disorganised and divided, but Khan unites and trains them. Their struggle eventually culminates in their World Cup win.
SRK’s Role and Performance
This is one of the must-watch SRK films for a reason. SRK portrays Kabir Khan with gravitas and a complex persona. Shah Rukh Khan breaks the typecast as the romantic lead and portrays the character with genuine ruggedness and complexity. Kabir Khan comes off as a character that have gone through the struggle of facing isolation and then redemption. His “Sattar Minute” speech is both passionate and inspirational.
Awards and Recognition
The film was a commercial success, but it was predominantly a critical and award-winning darling. Chak De! India received numerous accolades for its direction, music, screenplay, acting, and dialogue. Shah Rukh Khan received the Filmfare Award for the lead role, and the movie won a National Award in the popular film category. The film is iconic for instilling pride and unity, and has become emblematic of India’s love for sports and determination.
My Name is Khan
Overview of the Film
Released in 2010, My Name Is Khan serves as a romantic tale and a social commentary on prejudice and how bias influences someone’s identity. The story revolves around Rizwan (Shah Rukh Khan), a Muslim man with Asperger’s Syndrome, travelling around America to meet the President. Rizwan embarks on the quest, a promise made to his lover Monica that he would meet the President of the US and tell him, “My Name is Khan, and I’m Not a Terrorist.”
Social and Cultural Themes
At its core, the movie is a portrayal of a post 9/11 world, reeking of prejudice against a religious community. It highlights the struggle people belonging to the Muslim community navigate due to stereotypes, Islamophobia, and racism. Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal of Rizwan deftly dismantles those stereotypes and promotes a message of love and acceptance.
Critical Reception
My Name Is Khan was critically acclaimed upon release, with the critics praising SRK’s performance as Rizwan. His portrayal of Asperger’s syndrome is iconic and etched in people’s memories. The film’s delicate storytelling makes it one of the best SRK movies of all time. With critics worldwide recognising the film’s merit, it has expanded Indian movies’ reach to an International audience.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Narrative and Characters
Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham is a family drama directed by Karan Johar, released in 2001. The film has an ensemble cast of a few of the biggest names in the Hindi movie industry, SRK, Kajal, Kareena Kapoor, Hritik Roshan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Jaya Bachchan, among others. The movie primarily focuses on the wealthy Raichand family. The film centers around Rahul (SRK), his adoptive father (Amitabh Bachchan), and the ensuing conflict when Rahul decides to marry a middle-class family girl played by Kajal.
Memorable Dialogues
The movie is filled with memorable and quotable dialogues, which often make their way into modern Internet culture. The movie’s iconic line “Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham” signifies life’s ups and downs. The emotional scenes and background music all lend to the grand dramatic narrative of the movie.
Popularity and Box Office Success
Its popularity in itself warrants a place in the 10 best Shah Rukh Khan movies of all time. K3G was an instant hit with the audience and a commercial success at the box office. The soulful music, the love story, and the massive star cast have enamored millions of fans globally. The message of family, love, and acceptance resonated with the audience.
Devdas
Historical and Cultural Context
Released in 2007, Devdas is the Hindi adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel of the same name, published in 1917. In the film, Shah Rukh Khan plays the titular character, a tragic hero entangled between the love of Paro (Aiswariya Rai) and Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit). The story is a period piece set in the early 1900s, portraying societal norms, love, and despair. The story portrays the period as governed by societal expectations, and freedom was curtailed under these norms.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Portrayal
Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal of Devdas involves both his internal conflicts and love for Paro, and eventually descends into alcoholism. SRK’s commitment to portraying such a complex character has won the hearts of millions and has become one of the most iconic tragic portrayals of a leading man. This role reinstated Shah Rukh Khan’s position as the “King of Romance.”
Cinematography and Music
Devdas is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is known for portraying the grandiosity and decadence through his lens. The movie is a visual and auditory treat, with the cinematography portraying the regality and emotional nuance of every scene. Devdas is also known for its music and dance scenes, which are soulful and emotionally deep. The soundtrack composed by Ismail Darbar is filled with classics such as “Sil sila ye Pyar ka” and “Dola re Dola.”
Swades
Plot Highlights
Swades is a social drama directed by Asutosh Gowarikar and revolves around India’s rural climate and societal culture. Mohan Bhargav, played by Shah Rukh Khan, is a NASA scientist who arrives in India searching for his childhood caretaker. In this quest, he arrives in an Indian village where the societal structures and regressive mentality of the residents change his perspective. The film deftly portrays the country’s lack of education, caste division, and patriarchy. Mohan’s initial goal of personal fulfillment turned into a larger quest for systemic change.
SRK’s Character Development
SRK breaks his usual romantic hero persona and takes the role of a more nuanced character. He gives a more grounded performance, portraying Bhargav’s dramatic shift from his self-interest to a strong advocate for change. The nuanced performance is emblematic of his self-discovery and responsibility. The character reflects a greater understanding of one’s identity and contributes to society for upliftment.
Legacy and Influence
Swades is one of the poignant and powerful portrayals of Indian rural society. However, it has also sparked conversation around brain drain and using one’s abilities to advocate for change. The movie is celebrated for its authenticity and Shah Rukh Khan’s grounded performance as the NASA scientist. Swades’ inspirational and aspirational themes make it one of the best SRK movies
Kal Ho Naa Ho
Emotional Core of the Film
Kal Ho Naa Ho is a timeless classic of love and loss with a unique blend of romance, drama, and humour. The movie explores the themes of love, friendship, and the value of living in the present. The story revolves around Naina, who is facing her issues with her family when she meets who meets Aman, a caring and life-loving man. Throughout the movie, Aman inculcates in Naina the value of life and being in the moment. KHNH is iconic for its emotional depth, which breaks the audience’s heart and leaves them with a smile on their faces.
Key Performances
Shah Rukh Khan portrays Aman with soul and warmth as a man hiding his pain while spreading joy to others. His character and portrayal brilliantly complement Preity Zinta’s Naina, who expresses her vulnerability. Naina undergoes a drastic character development from being a closeted person to being more open-hearted. Additionally, the duo’s chemistry with Saif Ali Khan makes the movie even more dynamic.
Awards and Achievements
Kal Ho Na Ho is revered among the Indian audience for its iconic performances and songs. The movie received numerous accolades and awards, such as two National Awards and Filmfare Awards. SRK’s portrayal of Aman also earned praise among critics and secured a place in the hearts of the audience.
Baazigar
Story Synopsis
Baazigar is a thriller starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Shipa Sethi, serving equal parts suspense and revenge. The plot revolves around Ajay Sharma on his quest for revenge for the wrongdoing done to his father. The movie is replete with twists and turns, revelations that will shock the audience. Ajay’s identity change and making his way into Madan Chopra’s family keep the family on the edge of their seat.
SRK’s Groundbreaking Role
With Ajay Sharma, Shah Rukh Khan subverts archetypes of a traditional, morally upright hero prominent in Hindi cinema. SRK portrays Ajay with evil seduction, charming and ruthless simultaneously. He portrays his versatility in playing an anti-hero whose reasons are just, but his means are questionable.
Influence on Thriller Genre
This role solidified SRK as an acting powerhouse and made the industry notice him. Baazigar also left an indelible mark on the thriller genre in India. The film’s success demonstrated the Indian audience’s penchant for more complex plots, characters, and themes. It gave industry leaders to fund more risky projects with darker and unconventional themes.
Om Shanti Om
Unique Concept and Execution
Om Shanti Om is a supernatural romance with elements of a conventional love story, reincarnation, and revenge. Released in 2007, it was directed by Farah Khan and starred Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, who made her debut in this role. The movie is unique for blending past and present, beginning in the 70s Bollwood film industry and shifting to the modern era. Farah Khan provides the movie with vibrance, grooviness, romance, humour, and supernatural elements.
Shah Rukh Khan in a Double Role
Shah Rukh Khan plays the titular character in a double role, first as a junior stunt double and second time reborn as a superstar. He plays both characters with panache and charisma that is unique to him. As the first iteration of his character, he plays him with unbridled passion and humour, and as the superstar, he plays him with determination and confidence. SRK plays these two characters differently and distinctly.
Box Office and Fans’ Response
Om Shanti Om was a financial success, breaking numerous records in its wake. The songs were an instant hit with some of the most catchy tunes in Bollywood music. Also, the movie brought together a few of the iconic people of the industry into its title track. The film also acted as an effective launch pad for Deepika Padukone, who went on to secure her place in the industry.
Dil Se
A New Narrative Language
Dil Se is a 1998 film directed by Mani Ratnam starring Shah Rukh Khan and Monisha Koirala in the lead roles. The film is the last of Mani Ratnam’s terrorism trilogy, the other two being Roja and Bombay. Dil Se is iconic for its narrative structure for portraying a love story within political unrest. The story is set in the Northeast, where Aman (Shah Rukh Khan), a radio jockey, meets Meghna, a mysterious woman with a past. As the plot progresses, Meghna’s intention is exposed as she is a suicide bomber targeting the Republic Day celebrations. The movie balances the conflict of love and vulnerability to ideological commitment. Dil Se is a poetic canvas replete with symbolism relating to its themes and is one of the best 90s songs.
Redefining the Romantic Hero
With this movie, Shah Rukh Khan diverges from his usual boy-next-door love interest to portray a man torn between his affection and ideological duty. His character Aman is complex and undergoes a character transformation from an idealist romantic radio jockey to a man more interested in Meghna’s secret. This role opened up for more portrayal of emotionally complex Bollywood male leads.
A Global Sensation
Dil Se wasn’t a box office hit initially, but gained cult status later on, becoming a global sensation. The music by AR Rahman hit the top 10 UK charts, the first time for an Indian movie. The movie opened doors for international appeal among the Indian diaspora. The story opened bridges for cross-cultural storytelling.
