By: Aditya Ahuja
Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan has refrained from participating in media interviews in the last 5 years or so, limiting his interactions to promotional press events. His public disclosures about personal matters have been notably scarce, particularly since his son Aryan Khan became entangled in a drug controversy.
Nevertheless, on Wednesday night, he not only attended a media event but also candidly shared insights into the challenging times his family has faced in recent years and the valuable lessons he gleaned from those experiences.
Addressing the audience, Khan acknowledged the rollercoaster ride of the last 4-5 years, citing challenges in both his professional and personal life. He openly discussed facing criticism from analysts and naysayers amid a series of film failures and the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The last 4-5 years have been a bit of a ride for me and my family. I’m sure for some of you also because of Covid. Most of my films flopped. Analysts started writing my death knells, some idiots did the same which actually is the same thing, analysts and idiots. Not something that I really bother about,” Shah Rukh Khan said after receiving a special award from a media outlet.
“And then, at a personal level, a little bit of bothersome and unpleasant things also happened to say the least, which made me learn a lesson that ‘be quiet, be very quiet and work hard with dignity’. When you think everything is good, and still know it in your heart when everything is good, suddenly out of nowhere, whoom…life may come and hit you,” he added, presumably referring to Aryan’s arrest in an alleged drug case in 2021.
With his recent comeback in 2023, SRK made a triumphant return to the silver screen with Siddharth Anand’s ‘Pathaan’ in January. The action-packed film shattered box office records, ending the dry spell in Bollywood and marking SRK’s successful comeback after a four-year hiatus.
Following ‘Pathaan,’ SRK continued his dream run with the September release of ‘Jawaan,’ another action film directed by Atlee. The movie garnered massive success, crossing the ₹1000 crore mark worldwide, solidifying SRK’s phenomenal year.
Adding to his achievements, Shah Rukh Khan collaborated with Rajkumar Hirani for the first time in December with ‘Dunki.’ The film, centered around immigration issues, received mixed reviews but contributed to SRK’s successful run in 2023.
Expressing gratitude at the event, Khan said, “I would like to thank everyone here and those watching on television. Hoards of you came to watch my films this year; some of you may not have liked them, but deep down, I know you came to support me and my family. So, I bow down to you.”
“Thank you for bringing cheer to my family, my children, my loved ones, and for making me the star I am, yet again,” added SRK.