Villain before King of Romance, how Shah Rukh Khan rose to fame with his negative roles

When we talk about the King of Romance in the world of Indian cinema, one name resonates above all else - Shah Rukh Khan.

With his three decades of journey in Bollywood, the King Khan taught us how love feels dreamy and is still entertaining keeping his buzz Jawaan in our hearts.

While his journey is celebrated worldwide, amidst all the adoration and chaos, it's essential to remember how he actually rose to stardom.

As the star turns 58 today, let's look at the villain phase of Khan.

Who was Shah Rukh before becoming King of Romance?

• Surprisingly, Shah Rukh Khan, the Badshaah of Bollywood, initially garnered attention through his portrayals of negative characters.
• It was his compelling performances as a villain that eventually propelled him to become the ultimate hero of all time.
• In this exploration of his rise to fame, we delve into the transformative roles that cemented his legacy as the unrivaled King of Romance in the world of Indian cinema.

Baazigar (1994)

After entering the world of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan was still in the process of establishing his identity.

However, it was his portrayal of the ultimate villain in three blockbuster hits of the '90s that boosted him to stardom and solidified his reputation as an actor.

• In 1993, Shah Rukh Khan embarked on a game-changing journey in Bollywood when he took on a negative role in the film "Baazigar," alongside Shilpa Shetty and Kajol.
• He portrayed an enigmatic avenger who shockingly commits the murder of his girlfriend, leaving Indian audiences astounded.
• This bold move not only left a lasting impact but also earned him his first Filmfare Best Actor Award. In one iconic scene, Shah Rukh Khan declared, "Haar ke jeetne walo ko Baazigar kehta hain," cementing his place as a charismatic force to be reckoned with.

• Paired with Priya Malhotra (Kajol), Shah Rukh Khan captured the hearts of an entire generation, effortlessly turning even the cheesiest lines into profound moments.
• "Baazigar" thrust him into overnight stardom, all while he portrayed an unequivocally 'evil' character. This film, directed by Abbas-Mustan, was a remake of the 1991 Hollywood movie 'A Kiss Before Dying,' which had originally flopped at the box office.
• However, the Bollywood version became a blockbuster, surpassing the original in every imaginable way. It's safe to say that no one other than SRK could have made betrayal so delightful.

Even as Ajay Sharma committed a chilling trio of murders, evoking no sympathy whatsoever, Shah Rukh Khan's charismatic performance somehow endeared us to his character, bringing tears to our eyes as he delivered a poignant monologue in his final moments.

Shah Rukh Khan playing the best negative role is doing justice to Haar kar jeetne walo ko baazigar kehte hai.

Darr (1994)

In that very same year, Shah Rukh Khan took on another memorable role as an obsessed lover in "Darr," starring alongside Juhi Chawla and Sunny Deol.

• Khan's distinctive portrayal, complete with a stammer and the unforgettable phrase, "I love you, Kkkiran," swiftly captured the hearts of the audience.
• While his character, Rahul, was undeniably unlikable, Shah Rukh Khan's innate charisma and Yash Chopra's filmmaking brilliance managed to transform what might have been considered problematic or even criminal behavior in real life into something oddly desirable on screen.

• The once-creepy and obsessive Rahul evolved into the embodiment of true love in the world of cinema.
• Even when faced with a thorough thrashing from Sunny Deol's Sunil Malhotra, Khan managed to steal the limelight and receive accolades, much to Deol's chagrin.

The line, "I love you...K...K...Kiran," has etched itself into cinematic history and continues to be an iconic and unforgettable part of the Bollywood legacy, even after all these years.

These two films, "Baazigar" and "Darr," were the launching pads that catapulted SRK into stardom virtually overnight.

Anjaam (1994)

• Shah Rukh Khan effortlessly stepped into the shoes of Vijay Agnihotri, an entrepreneur who spiraled into the depths of obsession after a chance encounter with a beautiful woman on a plane.
• At this point in his career, Shah Rukh had already mastered the art of portraying complex male characters with a hint of moral ambiguity.

• This film also marked the first-time collaboration between the talented duo of Madhuri Dixit and Khan. Once again, SRK donned the role of an obsessive lover in "Anjaam," starring alongside Madhuri Dixit.
• Although the film didn't quite hit the commercial bullseye, Khan's performance was nothing short of extraordinary, earning him the prestigious Filmfare Best Villain Award.

This showcased his remarkable ability to excel in roles that were far from the traditional hero, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and celebrated actor.

Which era of Shah Rukh Khan do you like the most?