- By Srishti Pandey
- Sat, 02 Nov 2024 04:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Shah Rukh Khan, often celebrated as the King of Romance, has built a career on timeless love stories like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G). Yet, when it comes to choosing his personal favourite, SRK’s pick might surprise fans: it’s Dil Se, a film that diverges from the usual romantic narratives he’s famous for.
According to filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, who recently shared insights on Cyrus Broacha’s podcast What Cyrus Says, Shah Rukh doesn’t particularly love love stories. Advani, who directed him in Ra.One, mentioned that Shah Rukh actually preferred to add more depth to his characters, steering away from predictable romantic scenes. During his work on K3G, for instance, he would often suggest changes to make his role less romantically inclined and more intense. Advani revealed, “He hates love stories,” before sharing that Dil Se, Mani Ratnam’s intense and complex film, is SRK’s favourite among his works.
Dil Se, released in 1998, was a commercial disappointment in India but achieved notable success overseas. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film cast SRK as a radio announcer in a story filled with intensity, obsession, and moral conflict. In contrast to his charming Rahul and Raj personas, Shah Rukh’s role in Dil Se showcased a darker, flawed character. His portrayal won critical acclaim and resonated strongly with audiences in Europe and America, solidifying his global fanbase beyond the South Asian diaspora.
In terms of roles, Shah Rukh’s personal favourite is also unexpected. While he is often associated with Raj and Rahul, characters who defined romance for an entire generation, he holds a special fondness for Sunil from Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1993). In this film, he played an ordinary, imperfect young man who doesn’t get the girl or the glory. It’s a rare portrayal of vulnerability and failure, and this “real” character is something SRK cherishes, finding him far more relatable than some of his later roles.
Through films like Dil Se and roles like Sunil, Shah Rukh Khan has shown his desire to be recognized as more than just a romantic hero. His choices reflect his theatre background and his early training under renowned acting coach Barry John, who encouraged him to explore a wide range of emotions and complex characters.
