Karan Johar recently opened up about a dilemma many of Bollywood’s biggest stars face—balancing their superstar image with the desire to experiment with offbeat roles. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Karan pointed out that actors like Shah Rukh Khan often steer clear of experimental films, not because they lack interest, but due to the immense pressure from audiences to maintain their larger-than-life personas. Johar, who has worked closely with Shah Rukh throughout his career, defended the superstar’s attempts to branch out.
“It’s not that Shah Rukh didn’t try,” he said. “He did Paheli, Asoka—films that were very different from his usual repertoire.” Karan explained that early in his career, Shah Rukh showed a strong desire to break the mold, working with directors like Kundan Shah, Ketan Mehta, and Mani Kaul.
“He wanted to be that quirky, mainstream star who would change cinema,” Karan reflected. A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) However, Shah Rukh’s career took a decisive turn with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, a film that cemented his place as the king of romance. “He never wanted to be the mainstream guy but then Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge happened and we all made love stories with him there after.
He wanted to be that quirky, mainstream star who would change the cinema. Now no one will allow it. When say Shah Rukh Khan now, the names comes with an expectation.
He might play a mellow character in the future, I hope h.