After a string of controversies, Shahrukh Khan made one of the biggest comebacks ever.
He delivered three commercially successful films in a single year.
In 2023, actor Shahrukh Khan made the biggest comeback in the history of Indian Cinema. What he went through in the past few years and how he carried himself is surprising and inspiring.
Having made his debut in 1992, Shahrukh Khan delivered quite a few hits and classic films such as Baazigar, Darr, Karan Arjun, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Badshaah in the ’90s.
Between 2002-2013, he played the lead in many blockbusters and iconic films such as Devdas, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Main Hoon Na, Veer Zara, Swades, Don Part 1 and Don Part 2, Chak De India, Om Shanti Om, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, My Name Is Khan, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, and Chennai Express. All highly celebrated, successful, and critically acclaimed movies.
In 2014 and 2015, Shahrukh Khan starred in Happy New Year and Dilwale, both films were commercially successful but received mixed to negative reviews. In 2016 he starred in Maneesh Sharma’s film Fan which was the first failure for Shahrukh Khan after a long time. The film received negative reviews and was a flop at the box office. In 2017, he starred in Rahul Dholakia’s Raees which did pretty decent business at the box office but did not do perform extraordinarily.
Shahrukh Khan’s career took a major setback when he starred in Imtiaz Ali’s Jab Harry Met Sejal. The film starred Anushka Sharma opposite Shahrukh Khan. Released in 2017, Jab Harry Met Sejal received highly negative reviews and emerged as a box office bomb. Shahrukh Khan and Imtiaz Ali were highly criticized for doing the film.
Post Jab Harry Met Sejal, Shahrukh Khan starred in Anand L Rai’s Zero with Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. Zero was one of the most anticipated films of 2018. The film also starred Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Karisma Kapoor, Kajol, Sridevi, Juhi Chawla, and Alia Bhatt in guest appearances. Upon its release, Zero opened to highly negative reviews and was declared a box office bomb.
After a series of failures and average films such as Fan, Happy New Year, Dilwale, Jab Harry Met Sejal, and Zero, Shahrukh Khan took a major hiatus of five years which was partly caused by the COVID pandemic.
Released in 2013, Chennai Express was his last blockbuster film that was cherished by the audience. Shahrukh Khan had a major setback in 2021 when his son was arrested. Many even thought that the actor was finished and he would no longer taste success in his film career. The actor had no major film release till 2023. However, he made special appearances in 2022 films such as Rocketry, Brahmastra, and Laal Singh Chaddha.
After a hiatus of five years, Shahrukh Khan returned in 2023 with three major film releases.
In January 2023 he starred Yash Raj Film’s Pathaan from the YRF Spy Universe. Pathaan stars Shahrukh Khan as a special agent alongside Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. Salman Khan who stars as Tiger in YRF’s Ek Tha Tiger and Tiger Zinda Hai reprised his role in Pathaan by doing a guest appearance. Pathaan was made on a budget of 225 crores and was released on 25 January 2023. The film is directed by Sidharth Anand.
Upon its release, Pathaan received highly positive reviews and was named it a very entertaining high-octane action film. Pathaan broke several records and emerged as one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever. By the end of its theatrical run, Pathaan was declared the biggest blockbuster by grossing over 1000+ crores at the box office. It was the beginning of Shahrukh Khan’s epic comeback.
In the same year, in September, Shahrukh Khan played the lead in the film Jawan alongside, Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, and Deepika Padukone (special appearance). Jawan was another high-octane epic action film by Shahrukh Khan after Pathaan. The film is directed by Atlee. Upon its release, Jawan was declared a blockbuster on the first day itself. The film broke several box office records to emerge as a major commercially successful film. The film shattered all the records created by Pathaan and registered new box office records that are perhaps difficult for any other film to break anytime soon. Like Pathaan, Jawan too grossed over 1000+ crores at the box office.
With Pathaan and Jawan, Shahrukh Khan made the biggest comeback in the history of Indian Cinema. He was the most popular star in India throughout the year. In December 2023 he had his final and third release of the year with Rajkumar Hirani. The actor acted in Rajkumar Hirani’s drama film Dunki alongside Taapsee Pannu, Boman Hirani, Anil Grover, Vikram Kochhar, and Vicky Kaushal (special appearance). Dunki, however, received mixed reviews and did not perform like Pathaan and Jawan. But the film was still commercially successful for the makers.
Following a five-year hiatus, Shahrukh Khan had three major commercial hits in 2023 which once again cemented his status as the King of Indian Cinema. He made one of the biggest comebacks in the history of World Cinema. But now what’s next for him now?
There is no major release of Shahrukh Khan as of now. According to the reports, the actor will soon start shooting for a film titled King. King is an action entertainer film that marks the debut of Shahrukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan. The film is directed by Sujoy Dosh and produced by Shahrukh Khan and Sidharth Anand. Shahrukh Khan plays a extensive special appearance in the film.
Besides King, a sequel to Pathaan 2 is confirmed and Shahrukh Khan will reprise his role. Besides YRF is also planning a movie with Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan called Tiger vs Pathaan. This will be YRF’s most ambitious film from the SPY Universe. Shahrukh Khan will face off against Salman Khan in Tiger vs Pathaan.
Both Pathaan 2 and Tiger vs Pathaan will take quite a few years to release. Shahrukh Khan will be seen next in King which is currently under production. The film is said to be shot in many international locations. The film is set to be released in 2025.