Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, known for his charismatic performances and significant contributions to Indian cinema, recently revealed a moment early in his career where he almost walked out of a film. Speaking at an event in Dubai, Khan recalled a time when his confidence wavered, leading him to question his acting abilities.
Khan, who has starred in over 100 films and received the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, shared that he experienced a moment of self-doubt that nearly led him to abandon his Bollywood journey. He recounted arriving on set with the belief that he was the most talented actor present. However, this perception quickly changed when he observed his colleagues performing at a higher level.
"I thought I was the best actor when I came on the set," Khan stated. "I was overconfident, and then I realized everyone on set was acting better than me". This realization prompted him to take immediate action. "I took the first flight back to Delhi," he admitted. He even recalled opting for a cheaper international flight because he couldn't afford the regular fare, highlighting the financial constraints he faced at the time.
Khan explained that he rushed to the airport, purchased a ticket, and wanted to return home because he felt like a "bad actor". This candid revelation provides insight into the actor's early struggles and the insecurities he faced before achieving stardom.
In a separate interview, Shah Rukh Khan discussed another instance where he almost left a film, this time after the failure of his ambitious project "Zero" in 2018. The film's poor performance deeply affected him, leading him to take a sabbatical from acting for over four years.
Khan revealed that he was scheduled to begin shooting for a new film in January 2019, shortly after "Zero" was released in December 2018. However, he had a change of heart. "I just woke up, and I said, 'I don't want to go and shoot this film,'" Khan explained. He contacted the producer and expressed his desire to take a year off from work.
According to Khan, the producer responded skeptically, saying, "It's not possible. You don't sit without working for even a minute. So if you don't like the film, say no, don't say you're not working for a year". Despite the producer's disbelief, Khan remained firm in his decision. "So I just didn't want to work. I just didn't want to act. I didn't feel like acting," he stated.
The film Khan was referring to was reportedly "Saare Jahan Se Achha," a biopic on the life of Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian man to travel to space. Mahesh Mathai was slated to direct the film, with Siddharth Roy Kapur producing.
These instances highlight the challenges and uncertainties that even the biggest stars face in their careers. Shah Rukh Khan's willingness to share these experiences provides a glimpse into his journey and the moments that shaped him into the icon he is today.
Currently, Shah Rukh Khan is preparing for his role in Sujoy Ghosh's 'King', where he will share the screen with his daughter Suhana Khan. He has also lent his voice to Mufasa in the Hindi version of "Mufasa: The Lion King," while his sons Aryan and AbRam have voiced Simba and young Mufasa, respectively. Additionally, he is expected to make a cameo in Aryan Khan's directorial debut, "Stardom," set to release in 2025.
