Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Shah Rukh Khan
How Shah Rukh Khan built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Shah Rukh Khan, also known as SRK, is a highly acclaimed Indian actor and film producer, often dubbed the "Baadshah of Bollywood" and "King Khan." He boasts a filmography of over 100 films, earning a National Film Award and 15 Filmfare Awards. He's received prestigious honors from the Indian and French governments. Khan commands a massive fan base across Asia and within the global Indian diaspora, solidifying his status as one of the world's most successful film stars in terms of income.
1978: Remake of Don
In 2006, Shah Rukh Khan starred in the action film Don, a remake of the 1978 film of the same name.
1988: First Starring Role in Dil Dariya
In 1988, Shah Rukh Khan's first starring role was in Lekh Tandon's television series 'Dil Dariya', though production delays occurred.
1989: Television Debut with Fauji
In 1989, due to production delays with 'Dil Dariya', the Raj Kumar Kapoor directed series 'Fauji' became Shah Rukh Khan's television debut, where he played the leading role of Abhimanyu Rai.
April 1991: Decision to Act in Films
In April 1991, Shah Rukh Khan decided to pursue a full-time acting career in Bollywood as a way to cope with his mother's death and moved from Delhi to Mumbai.
June 1992: Film Debut with Deewana Release
In June 1992, Shah Rukh Khan's film debut 'Deewana' was released, starring alongside Divya Bharti and Rishi Kapoor. This marked a significant launch for his Bollywood career.
1992: Appearance in Idiot
In 1992, Shah Rukh Khan appeared in Mani Kaul's miniseries 'Idiot', adding to his early television roles.
1992: Film Debut with Deewana
In 1992, Shah Rukh Khan made his Hindi film debut with 'Deewana', a musical romance, starring alongside Divya Bharti and Rishi Kapoor. He played the second male lead in the film which became a box office hit and earned Khan the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award.
1993: Recognition for Villainous Roles in Baazigar and Darr
In 1993, Shah Rukh Khan gained appreciation for playing villainous roles in the box office hits 'Baazigar' and 'Darr'. 'Baazigar' featured him as a murderer, and 'Darr' as an obsessive lover, marking his initial success in Bollywood.
1993: Appreciation for Villainous Roles
In 1993, Shah Rukh Khan garnered appreciation for portraying villainous roles in 'Baazigar' and 'Darr', both of which were box office hits. He won his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor for 'Baazigar'.
1993: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Baazigar
In 1993, Shah Rukh Khan won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Baazigar'.
1994: Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Anjaam
In 1994, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa', which he later professed was his favorite role, and won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role for his role in 'Anjaam'.
1995: Starring in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
In 1995, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', a top-grossing romantic film that helped establish him as a leading actor in Bollywood.
1995: Starring in Karan Arjun and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
In 1995, Shah Rukh Khan starred in seven films, including 'Karan Arjun,' which became the second-highest-grossing film of the year in India. His most significant release was 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,' which became the year's highest-grossing production and an "all time blockbuster."
1995: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
In 1995, Shah Rukh Khan won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'.
1996: Khan's films failed commercially
In 1996, all four of Shah Rukh Khan's film releases failed critically and commercially.
1997: Performance in Asha Bhosle's Moments in Time concert
In 1997, Shah Rukh Khan performed in Asha Bhosle's Moments in Time concert in Malaysia.
1997: Starring in Dil To Pagal Hai
In 1997, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Dil To Pagal Hai', a top-grossing romantic film that helped establish him as a leading actor in Bollywood.
1997: Starring in Yes Boss, Pardes, and Dil To Pagal Hai
In 1997, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Yes Boss,' which earned him a Filmfare Best Actor nomination. He also starred in 'Pardes,' one of the first major Bollywood pictures to succeed in the United States, and 'Dil To Pagal Hai,' which won him his third Best Actor Award at Filmfare.
1997: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Dil To Pagal Hai
In 1997, Shah Rukh Khan won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Dil To Pagal Hai'.
1998: Starring in Duplicate, Dil Se.. and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
In 1998, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Duplicate,' 'Dil Se..,' and 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.' He won critical praise for his performance in 'Dil Se..' and won the Best Actor award at the Filmfare Awards ceremony for 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'.
1998: Starring in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
In 1998, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', a top-grossing romantic film that helped establish him as a leading actor in Bollywood.
1998: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
In 1998, Shah Rukh Khan won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'.
1999: Starring in Baadshah and becoming a producer
In 1999, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Baadshah,' earning him a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Performance in a Comic Role. He also became a producer in collaboration with Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza for Dreamz Unlimited.
2000: Commercial failure of Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Tamil Debut
In 2000, Dreamz Unlimited's first production, 'Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani,' was a commercial failure. Khan also did a supporting role in Kamal Haasan's 'Hey Ram,' making his Tamil debut.
2000: Playback Singing in Josh
In 2000, Shah Rukh Khan sang the popular song "Apun Bola Tu Meri Laila" in the film Josh.
2000: Starring in Mohabbatein
In 2000, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Mohabbatein', a top-grossing romantic film that helped establish him as a leading actor in Bollywood.
2001: Starring in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
In 2001, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', a top-grossing romantic film that helped establish him as a leading actor in Bollywood.
2002: Critical Acclaim for Devdas
In 2002, Shah Rukh Khan earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of an alcoholic in the period romantic drama 'Devdas'.
2002: Show From India With Love
In 2002, Shah Rukh Khan featured with Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Preity Zinta, and Aishwarya Rai in the show 'From India With Love' at Manchester's Old Trafford and London's Hyde Park; the event was attended by more than 100,000 people.
2002: Starring in Devdas
In 2002, Shah Rukh Khan played the title role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Devdas,' which became a box office success and earned him a Best Actor Filmfare Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language.
2002: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Devdas
In 2002, Shah Rukh Khan won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Devdas'.
2003: Starring in Kal Ho Naa Ho
In 2003, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', a top-grossing romantic film that helped establish him as a leading actor in Bollywood.
2003: Defying the Conventional Hero Image
In 2003, the Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema noted that Shah Rukh Khan "defied the image of the conventional hero" in 'Baazigar' and 'Darr', creating his own version of the revisionist hero.
2004: Temptations 2004 Concert Tour
In 2004, Shah Rukh Khan participated in Temptations 2004, singing, dancing, and performing skits alongside Arjun Rampal, Priyanka Chopra, and other Bollywood stars. This stage show toured 22 venues across the world, including Dubai's Festival City Arena, where it played to 15,000 spectators.
2004: Starring in Veer-Zaara and Swades
In 2004, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Veer-Zaara', a top-grossing romantic film that helped establish him as a leading actor in Bollywood, and earned critical acclaim for his role in the social drama, 'Swades', where he played a NASA scientist.
2004: Establishing Red Chillies Entertainment and Starring in Main Hoon Na and Veer-Zaara
In 2004, Shah Rukh Khan transformed Dreamz Unlimited into Red Chillies Entertainment and starred in 'Main Hoon Na' and 'Veer-Zaara.' Veer-Zaara was the highest earning film of the year.
2004: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Swades
In 2004, Shah Rukh Khan won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Swades'.
2004: Retrospective Review of Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa
In 2004, Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com referred to Shah Rukh Khan's performance in 'Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa' as his best, highlighting his spontaneity and emotional delivery.
2005: Starring in Paheli
In 2005, Shah Rukh Khan starred in Amol Palekar's fantasy drama, 'Paheli'. The film was India's submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 79th Academy Awards.
2006: Playback Singing in Don
In 2006, Shah Rukh Khan did playback singing in the film Don.
2006: Starring in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
In 2006, Shah Rukh Khan starred in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', a top-grossing romantic film that helped establish him as a leading actor in Bollywood.
2007: Starring in Chak De! India and Om Shanti Om
In 2007, Shah Rukh Khan earned critical acclaim for his role as a hockey coach in 'Chak De! India', and had further commercial success with the romance 'Om Shanti Om'.
2007: Hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati
In 2007, Shah Rukh Khan replaced Amitabh Bachchan for one season as the host of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', the Indian version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'.
2007: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Chak De! India
In 2007, Shah Rukh Khan won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Chak De! India'.
2008: Commercial Success with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
In 2008, Shah Rukh Khan achieved further commercial success with the romance film 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'.
2008: Refusal of Role in Slumdog Millionaire
In 2008, Shah Rukh Khan refused a role in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, which subsequently went to Anil Kapoor.
2008: Temptation Reloaded and Airtel-Bindass concert tour
In 2008, Shah Rukh Khan set up Temptation Reloaded, a series of concerts that toured several countries, including the Netherlands. He also performed alongside Dino Morea, Rani Mukerji, and Dia Mirza at the Airtel-Bindass concert tour in 2008.
2008: Acquisition of Kolkata Knight Riders
In 2008, Shah Rukh Khan, in partnership with Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta, acquired ownership rights for the franchise representing Kolkata in the Twenty20 cricket tournament Indian Premier League (IPL) for US$75.09 million, and named the team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
2009: KKR Brand Value
As of 2009, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was one of the richest teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with a brand value of US$42.1 million.
2010: Concert in Dhaka, Bangladesh
In 2010, Shah Rukh Khan performed alongside Rani Mukherji, Arjun Rampal, and Ishaa Koppikar in a concert at the St. Joseph High School field in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2010: Acclaim for My Name Is Khan
In 2010, Shah Rukh Khan received critical acclaim for his portrayal of a man with Asperger syndrome in the drama 'My Name Is Khan'.
2010: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for My Name Is Khan
In 2010, Shah Rukh Khan won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'My Name Is Khan'.
2011: Appearance on Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout
In 2011, Shah Rukh Khan appeared on Imagine TV's 'Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout', the Indian version of 'Wipeout'. The scenes featuring Khan were filmed at Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai. However, the show performed poorly and became the lowest-rated show hosted by a Bollywood star.
2011: Performance at IPL opening ceremony
In 2011, Shah Rukh Khan performed alongside Sunidhi Chauhan and Shriya Saran at the opening ceremony of the IPL season, where they danced to Tamil songs.
2011: Starring in Ra.One and Don 2
In 2011, Shah Rukh Khan starred in Ra.One and Don 2. Ra.One, a superhero film, was a financial success despite mixed reviews. Don 2, a sequel, was the year's highest-grossing Bollywood production abroad and was showcased at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival.
2011: Appointed Global Ambassador and awarded UNESCO's Pyramide con Marni
In 2011, Shah Rukh Khan was appointed by UNOPS as the first global ambassador of the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council and received UNESCO's Pyramide con Marni award for his charitable commitment to provide education for children, becoming the first Indian to win the accolade.
2011: UNESCO's Pyramide con Marni Award
In 2011, Shah Rukh Khan was honored with UNESCO's Pyramide con Marni award for his support of children's education, recognizing his philanthropic endeavors.
2011: Involvement in Ra.One Production
In 2011, for Ra.One, Shah Rukh Khan not only acted and produced but also wrote the console game script, dubbed for it, oversaw technical development, and created digital comics based on the film's characters.
2012: Breaking the no-kissing rule
In 2012, Shah Rukh Khan broke his rule of not kissing his co-stars in films, after strong urging by Yash Chopra.
2012: Playback Singing in Jab Tak Hai Jaan
In 2012, Shah Rukh Khan did playback singing in the movie Jab Tak Hai Jaan.
2012: Concert in Jakarta
In 2012, Shah Rukh Khan held another tour with Bipasha Basu and others in Jakarta.
2012: Kolkata Knight Riders win IPL
In 2012, the Kolkata Knight Riders became the champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the first time.
2013: Concerts in Auckland, Perth and Sydney
In 2013 Shah Rukh Khan held another series of concerts that visited Auckland, Perth and Sydney.
2013: Appearance at IPL opening ceremony
In 2013, Shah Rukh Khan appeared alongside Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, and Pitbull at the IPL opening ceremony.
2013: Success with Chennai Express
In 2013, Shah Rukh Khan expanded into comedies with commercial success in 'Chennai Express'.
2013: Starring in Chennai Express and Advocating for Women's Credit
In 2013, Shah Rukh Khan starred in Chennai Express, which received mixed reviews. He also requested that his female co-stars' names appear above his in film credits, advocating for greater recognition of women's contributions.
2014: Ambassador for Interpol's campaign
In 2014, Shah Rukh Khan became the ambassador for Interpol's campaign "Turn Back Crime".
2014: Success with Happy New Year
In 2014, Shah Rukh Khan continued his expansion into comedies with commercial success in 'Happy New Year'.
2014: SLAM! The Tour
In 2014, Shah Rukh Khan performed in SLAM! The Tour in the US, Canada, and London. He also hosted the Indian premiere of the live talent show, Got Talent World Stage Live.
2014: Kolkata Knight Riders win IPL again
In 2014, the Kolkata Knight Riders repeated their feat and became champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the second time.
2015: Co-Chairman of Red Chillies Entertainment
As of 2015, Shah Rukh Khan is co-chairman of the motion picture production company Red Chillies Entertainment and its subsidiaries, expanding his influence in the entertainment industry.
2015: Starring in Dilwale
In 2015, Shah Rukh Khan appeared in Dilwale alongside Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. The film received mixed reviews despite being financially profitable.
2015: Ban revoked by MCA
In 2015, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) revoked the ban imposed on Shah Rukh Khan from the Wankhede Stadium.
2016: Mumbai Police Investigation
In 2016, Mumbai Police informed that no 'cognisable offence' was made out against Shah Rukh Khan and they had come to the conclusion that Shah Rukh Khan was not drunk and did not use abusive language before minors at the Wankhede Stadium in 2012.
2016: Starring in Fan and Dear Zindagi
In 2016, Shah Rukh Khan starred in Fan, playing a dual role, and had a supporting role in Dear Zindagi. Fan underperformed at the box office, while Dear Zindagi was a coming-of-age film.
2017: Hosting TED Talks India Nayi Soch
In 2017, Shah Rukh Khan began hosting 'TED Talks India Nayi Soch', a talk show produced by TED Conferences, LLC, which started airing on STAR Plus.
2017: Starring in Raees and Jab Harry Met Sejal
In 2017, Shah Rukh Khan starred in Raees, playing an anti-hero, and Jab Harry Met Sejal, a romantic film. Both films received mixed reviews and had modest commercial success, with Jab Harry Met Sejal underperforming.
2018: World Economic Forum's Crystal Award
In 2018, Shah Rukh Khan received the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award for advocating for women's and children's rights in India, highlighting his commitment to social causes.
2018: Starring in Zero
In 2018, Shah Rukh Khan starred in Zero, playing a dwarf. The film received mixed reviews, though Khan's performance was praised, but was a box office flop.
2018: Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum
In 2018, Shah Rukh Khan was honoured by the World Economic Forum with their annual Crystal Award for his leadership in championing children's and women's rights in India.
2018: Suhana serves as assistant director for the movie Zero
In 2018, Suhana served as an assistant director for Shah Rukh Khan's movie Zero.
February 2019: Special appearance in BIBA music video
In February 2019, Shah Rukh Khan made a special appearance in the music video of the song 'BIBA', featuring Marshmello and Shirley Setia, and composed by Pritam. The video, inspired by Khan's memorable films, received a positive response.
November 2019: Suhana's acting debut
In November 2019, Suhana made her acting debut in a short film titled The Grey Part of Blue.
April 2020: COVID-19 Relief Initiatives
In April 2020, Shah Rukh Khan announced a series of initiatives to help the government of India and the state governments of Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Delhi mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. He also provided relief measures for thousands of underprivileged people and daily wage laborers affected by the lockdown and offered his 4-story personal office space to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to be used as a quarantine centre for coronavirus patients.
2022: Special Appearances in Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
In 2022, after a four-year break from full-time acting, Shah Rukh Khan made special appearances in Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect as part of a career comeback attempt after the release of Zero and the Covid-19 Pandemic in India.
2023: Career Comeback with Pathaan and Jawan
In 2023, Shah Rukh Khan made a career comeback with the action thrillers 'Pathaan' and 'Jawan', which became some of the highest-grossing Indian films. He received the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for 'Jawan'.
2023: Starring in Dunki
In 2023, Shah Rukh Khan starred in Dunki, a social drama about illegal immigration. It was a commercial success but did not reach the records set by Pathaan and Jawan.
2023: Starring in Pathaan and Jawan
In 2023, Shah Rukh Khan starred in Pathaan and Jawan, both action films that broke box-office records, re-establishing his stardom. Jawan earned him his first National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
2024: Kolkata Knight Riders Win Third IPL Title
In 2024, the Kolkata Knight Riders won their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title.
May 2025: Attended the Met Gala
On 5 May 2025, Shah Rukh Khan attended the Met Gala in Manhattan, becoming the first Bollywood male actor to do so and making his debut appearance. His outfit was designed by fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
June 2025: Appearance in Ed Sheeran song Sapphire
In June 2025, Shah Rukh Khan appeared in an Ed Sheeran song 'Sapphire', which also featured vocals from Arijit Singh. The video was shot across various parts of India, and the song received acclaim from critics and fans.
2025: National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Jawan
In 2025, Shah Rukh Khan won the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in 'Jawan'.
2026: Starring in King
In 2026, Shah Rukh Khan will star with his daughter in Siddharth Anand's King, an action film.
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