« Back to article

Print this article

Shah Rukh Khan's biggest hits and flops

In a career spanning over two decades and 70 films, Shah Rukh Khan has witnessed incredible highs and paltry lows. With an enviable fan base and unquestioned star power, Khan is easily one of the greatest superstars of his times today.

And if ever there was a test to underscore the same, it will come into play with the release of his mega-movie, Ra.One, a SFX-packed superhero extravaganza produced by the actor, releasing this Diwali. Whether this multi-crore project will be an epic accomplishment or a damp squib at the box office only time will tell.

So while you book your tickets, here's a peek at SRK's biggest hits (we're talking blockbusters here!) and flops (catastrophes, if you please?), ever.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

There are blockbusters and there are B-L-O-C-K-B-U-S-T-E-R-S. DDLJ belongs to the latter category. To think SRK tasted success playing a ruthless serial killer and obsessive lover in films like Baazigar and Darr only to go on and portray the most romantic guy of his career -- Raj Malhotra.

Aditya Chopra's directorial debut was, is, and in all probability will remain, the only one of its kind.

King Uncle

Amitabh Bachchan's loss turned out to be Jackie Shroff's loss too. As the titular hero of the super silly King Uncle, Shroff is the A to Z of disaster, which is pretty much the film's performance at the box office as well.

For better or worse, SRK who plays his kid brother didn't have much to do. Except maybe carry the burden of this embarrassment on his resume till eternity?

Karan Arjun

Reincarnation is considered to be a risky proposition at the BO. Remember Subhash Ghai's Karz?

Yet Rakesh Roshan dabbles with the topic of rebirth to concoct a masala potboiler of epic proportions with the snazzy pairing of SRK and Salman Khan.

The upshot is one of the highest grossing Bollywood films of all time. 

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Like DDLJ, Karan Johar's emotional albeit cool take on romance Kuch Kuch Hota Hai starring Khan and his most effective onscreen mate, Kajol turned out to be a game changer on multiple levels.

Not only did it inspire future filmmakers to embrace trendy but strengthened its leading guy's position in the industry

Oh Darling Yeh Hai India

Remember the monstrosity called Oh Darling Yeh Hai India directed by Ketan Mehta with wife Deepa Sahi in the lead getting serenaded by SRK all through?

Don't worry. Nobody does. Utter washout.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

With its glittery star cast and opulent production values, K Jo's lavish soap about loving one's parents conquered several hearts, particularly NRI ones.

It also meant another blockbuster in SRK's kitty of money spinners.

Trimurti

Not all multi-starrers achieve with the fate of K3G, of course.

Ghai's ambitious production, Trimurti, a badly scripted melodrama, directed by Mukul Anand, around the theme of lost and found was so heavy on terrible performances, including that of King Khan, nothing could salvage it.

Chak De! India

After flooring us with his believable performance in Swades, SRK struck another ace with his intense, inspired act as the wry coach of an all women's hockey team in Shimit Amin's critically and commercially-acclaimed triumph of spirit drama.

English Babu Desi Mem

SRK's earlier career features many a duds like Zamaana Deewana and Anjaam.

Nothing, however, comes close to his hamming-by-the-second delivery in the eminently forgettable, English Babu Desi Mem. The idiotic caper, co-starring Sonali Bendre, was, to put it politely, a non-starter.

Om Shanti Om

Farah Khan's splendid version on the jazzy, topsy-turvy, over-the-top universe of Bollywood marked a new chapter in filmmaking.

Her retro vision, along with SRK's hugely publicized six-packs and Deepika Padukone's dreamy debut, provided box office an enormous jump in its collections.

Guddu

To think it was penned by Abrar Alvi, one of the finest writers of Hindi cinema responsible for classics like Pyaasa and Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, Prem Lalwani's concoction about star-crossed lovers, played by SRK and Manisha Koirala is best-remembered as the worst performances of their career.

Needless to say, Guddu bombed badly at the BO.