If you’ve ever whispered (or shouted) that Shah Rukh Khan is “arrogant,” the man himself has a very different story to tell. In a candid throwback interview with Lehren TV, the Bollywood superstar addressed this label head-on, giving fans a peek into why the King of Romance might sometimes come off as… a little intimidating.
“Maybe people call it arrogance. But if standing up for yourself and your work is arrogance, then yes, I am arrogant,” Shah Rukh quipped in the interview. He went on to explain how media often chops up his words, creating a headline-friendly version that screams, “SRK Admits Arrogance!” while leaving out the context entirely.
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The ‘troubling filmmakers’ truth
One thing Shah Rukh isn’t shy about is his meticulous approach to scripts. He revealed that he has always insisted on reading a complete script with dialogues before committing to a film.
“When someone brings me a story and says, ‘Here’s the outline,’ I say, ‘No, give me the full script with dialogues,’” he explained. “I am a stage artist at heart. Give me the character, and I’ll live it. Don’t tell me you wrote this for Shah Rukh Khan. That doesn’t work with me.”
This insistence, according to SRK, once annoyed filmmakers during his struggling days. “People used to ask ‘who does he think he is?’ But now, when I do it, it’s called attention to detail and passion for the craft,” he said.
From struggling star to industry dark horse
Shah Rukh’s early days were far from easy. Amid established stars like Salman Khan and Aamir Khan dominating Bollywood, SRK had to carve out his own space.
“I knew Salman Khan was easily the biggest star in terms of longevity, and Aamir Khan is, in my opinion, the finest actor in the country. I decided to make my own position,” he said reflecting on his journey.
His perseverance paid off. Today, he is considered dark horse in the industry.
Television roots and early film breaks
Before ruling Bollywood, Shah Rukh was familiar face on television. His work in shows like ‘Fauji’ and ‘Circus’ earned him recognition and respect.
Legendary actress Hema Malini also played crucial role in SRK’s early film career. She saw his potential during his television days and offered him a role in ‘Dil Aashna Hai’ produced under her banner. This was one of first stepping stones that led to his eventual superstardom.
The iconic film journey
Shah Rukh made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with ‘Deewana’ and rest is history. Over the years, he delivered blockbuster hits that are now part of Bollywood’s golden era. These include ‘Baazigar’, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Devdas’, ‘Chennai Express’.
Even today, the superstar continues to dominate screens with diverse projects. His most recent release, ‘Dunki’, showcased his unmatched charm, and fans are buzzing with excitement for his upcoming film ‘King’, which promises even more star power with Deepika Padukone and his daughter Suhana Khan sharing the screen.