How Did The Son Of A Broke Freedom Fighter Conquer Bollywood?

26 years ago, a young man who had previously worked in Indian television serials made his debut on the silver screen with the movie, Deewana opposite Divya Bharti and Rishi Kapoor. He had shifted from Delhi to Bombay to cope with the grief of his mother's death. He had brought his sister along as she was clearly disturbed by their mother's loss. The young man had already lost his father at the young age of 14 and had seen his fair share of struggles and hurdles. With only one film release to his name, this individual would never even have fathomed what was to be his future.

He is Shah Rukh Khan.

I don't know about you but my childhood mostly consisted of watching SRK films. From 'Kabhie Khushi Kabhi gham' to 'Kal ho na ho', Shah Rukh Khan quickly cemented his place as my favorite actor. He did not have the looks of Hrithik Roshan or the body of Salman Khan but he was bigger than his outer appearance, he first and foremost relied on his acting and then on his stardom. Till I was old enough to watch films, Shah Rukh Khan had already peaked.

But, how did he reach the top?

SRK grew up in the Rajendra Nagar neighborhood of Delhi. He attended St. Columba's school where he received the school's highest award, sword of honor. He eventually took admission in Hansraj College where he studied Economics but spent most of his time in Delhi's theatre action group. His first starring role was in a television serial called Fauji which my mom still remembers watching. After that he did a few more television serials such as Circus and Idiot.

In 1991, he left Delhi for Mumbai where he decided to try his hand in films and the rest as they say is history.

HE STARTED AS A VILLAIN

SRK is now known as a romantic hero but in the beginning of his career, he had his breakthrough by playing the ultimate anti-hero. He played negative roles in films such as Darr and Baazigar. In the coming years he cemented his place in Bollywood by playing the Romantic hero in films such as Dilwale Dulhaniya le jayenge, Yes Boss, Pardes and Dil toh pagal hai.
SRK has gone on to star in films such as Don, Chak De India, Devdas, Swades, Jab tak hain jaan and My name is Khan which have garnered him commercial and critical success. His highest grossing films have been Chennai Express, Happy New year and Raees.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SALMAN AND SHAH RUKH KHAN

Salman Khan has been belting out below average films, the most recent one being Race 3 since years but it has not been the same for Shah Rukh Khan. SRK has been able to retain his status as the badshah of Bollywood but in recent times, his films haven't fared so well. There is a difference in audience who watch Salman and Shah Rukh and it is easy to say that SRK's audience expect a lot from him because they know his acting potential.

Shah Rukh Khan came from a middle class family in New Delhi and without any connections or support he made his place in Bollywood, he is the ultimate example of a self-made man. He is a beacon of hope for middle class people who know from his experience that with hard work, talent and charisma, you can climb even the highest mountain.

The son of a broke freedom fighter now rules millions of hearts.