New Delhi — On Shah Rukh Khan's 61st birthday, a look at five lesser-known films from his early career that showcase his range beyond the blockbuster roles.
The retrospective spans from 1992 to 1996, a period when Khan was establishing himself as more than just a romantic lead. In Chamatkar, directed by Rajiv Mehra, Khan played Sunder Srivastava, a young graduate stranded in Mumbai who forms an unlikely friendship with a ghost played by Naseeruddin Shah. The fantasy comedy, released the same year as Khan's debut in Deewana, revealed his comfort with unconventional premises early in his career.
The following year, King Uncle paired Khan with Jackie Shroff as the carefree younger brother to Shroff's stern businessman. In a 2024 interview, Shroff recalled his first encounter with the then-rising star.
"Shah Rukh Khan played my younger brother in King Uncle, and I thought he was very silent. He would always sit in a corner. Every time I looked at him, I felt like he was a volcano waiting to erupt," Shroff said.
1995 brought two releases. Zamaana Deewana, directed by Ramesh Sippy, cast Khan opposite Raveena Tandon in a story of lovers caught between feuding families. Despite an ensemble that included Anupam Kher and Prem Chopra, the film struggled to find its footing at the box office. Also that year, Guddu paired Khan with Manisha Koirala in a romantic drama in which his character's lover becomes blind after an accident, forcing him to confront the possibility of losing her. The film also explored ideological differences between Guddu's atheist father and religious mother.
1996's English Babu Desi Mem featured Khan in a triple role as Gopal, Hari and Vikram, opposite Sonali Bendre in her first collaboration with the actor. The film's mix of romance, family drama and mistaken identities has grown into something of a cult curiosity.
While these films varied in commercial success, they collectively demonstrate that Khan was willing to take creative risks early in his career — a willingness that has only endured as his stardom has grown. His fashion evolution over the same period, from 1990s casual to Met Gala 2025 in Sabyasachi, reflects a similar willingness to experiment while maintaining his distinctive point of view.
