Happy Birthday Shah Rukh Khan: He is much more than just a romantic hero

He is the romance king of Bollywood and has defined the prince charming for generations through his onscreen persona. But Shah Rukh Khan, the actor, is best seen in films where he essayed roles that were nowhere close to the romantic image he flaunts today.

He began his tinsel-town journey with Deewana (1992) and went on to essay negative roles in Darr, Baazigar and Anjam before the romantic Raj of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge overshadowed it all and everyone expected a romantic film from the king Khan. Shah Rukh, is all set to return to his favourite shades of grey with Raees that is slated to hit theatres next year. SRK’s character in Raees is said to be inspired by the Gujarati don Abdul Latif.

As the actor celebrates his 51st birthday today, we take a look at characters where he portrayed psychopaths perfectly.

1. Deewana (1992)
SRK starred opposite Divya Bharti and played the role of Raja who is obsessed with Divya’s character. There were traits of psychotic disorders in SRK’s character that he displayed with ease. The actor was honoured with the Fimfare Award for Best Male Debut for Deewana.

2. Baazigar (1993)
Shah Rukh played in Abbas-Mustan’s film - a young boy who is out to avenge his dad’s murder and doesn’t as much as bat an eyelid using his enemy’s daughters for the purpose. He woos both the daughters (Kajol and Shilpa Shetty) of Madan Chopra (Dalip Tahil) only to kill one of them and make fool of the other. SRK received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Raj in the film.

3. Darr (1993)
Yash Chopra’s film starring Juhi Chawla and Sunny Deol in the lead roles was a great stepping stone in SRK’s career that came immediately after his wonderful performance in Baazigar. Shah Rukh was the main villain in the movie and his portrayal of the stalker is a chilling watch, even today.

4. Anjaam (1994)
Starring opposite Madhuri Dixit, SRK displayed the traits of a crooked mind with such finesse that the role got him the Filmfare Award for Best Villain that year.

5. Raees (2017)
In a video released to mark 20 years of Dilwale Dulhaniye Le Jayenge, Shah Rukh Khan said he considered Raj’s role from the film ‘too girlish’. With Rahul Dholakia’s Raees, SRK is now ready to break free of his two decade old romantic image and get back to experimental mode with the role of Miyaanbha in Raees. The role is reportedly inspired by the 80s don Abdul Latif from Gujarat. Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Mahira Khan will also be seen in the film.