Few movie-stars in Bollywood are as celebrated as Shah Rukh Khan. Known as the Baadshah of Bollywood, Khan has become an icon in India. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, gangsters or historical figures, Khan has played several characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for greatest movies produced by an actor that deserves to be commemorated.
1. Swades
Immigration is a painful process that impacted my personality. At an early age, my life forever changed when my family immigrated to Canada. After I immigrated to Canada, I struggled to become well-adjusted towards a country far different from my homeland. I missed the culture, family and traditions of my home country that had shaped my identity. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the immigration process as powerfully as “Swades”. Ever since its release in 2004, Shah Rukh Khan’s movie has stood the test of time as a commemorated Bollywood classic. In the greatest role of his career, Khan embodies a successful Indian scientist mourning the loss of a homeland impacting his identity. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and vulnerable in his most emotional career role. Khan has spent most of his career playing talkative characters with larger-than-life personalities. With “Swades”, however, the actor showcased rare subtlety. Khan successfully uses his expressions to demonstrate the dilemma of a NASA scientist that misses his homeland of India. For instance, the train scene in which Mohan buys a drink of water from an impoverished street kid is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Swades” Shah Rukh Khan’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about immigration which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a commemorated Bollywood film about scientists celebrating their homeland of India, its a breathtaking reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies are classics in Cinema.
2. Kal Ho Naa Ho
Terminal illness has impacted my family. Several years ago, my family learned that our beloved uncle had been diagnosed with Cancer causing sorrow. I vividly remember my uncle was always an optimistic person that looked at the world from a positive perspective. His devastating death left my family emotionally affected. As someone mourning the loss of a terminally ill relative that died several years ago, I adored “Kal Ho Naa Ho”. Released in 2003, Shah Rukh Khan’s movie did an extraordinary job of depicting terminal illness on the big-screen. In the most emotionally demanding role of his career, Khan embodies a terminally ill man engaging in a romantic affair that’s a heavy burden to bear. Khan has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through inspirational monologues, and “Kal Ho Naa Ho” showcased his strengths as a Bollywood superstar. For instance, the heartbreaking scene in which Aman expresses his love for Naina through reading a diary entry is one of the most memorable moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Kal Ho Naa Ho” one of SRK’s greatest movies is its message. Unlike most Bollywood films, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a profound message about the importance of embracing every day. A powerful portrait of terminal illness causing romantic relationships to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies Indian audiences celebrate.
3. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Bollywood movies have shaped my grandfather’s identity. During my childhood, I developed a strong relationship with a grandfather that was a huge fan of Bollywood. I recall with nostalgia fond memories of a grandpa that loved Bollywood Cinema. My grandfather loved all types of Indian movies but his personal favourite was always “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”. Since its release in 2001, Shah Rukh Khan’s film has stood the test of time as a Bollywood classic. In the most charismatic role of his career, Khan embodies a man that engages in an illicit affair with a lower-class housekeeper causing his family to face despair. Khan has always excelled at playing romantic heroes, “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” showcased his enduring appeal as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Rahul returns to his family following years of separation is a highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about family which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of restrictive social class barriers which impact Indian families’ abilities to stay together, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a Bollywood actor whose unforgettable movies audiences treasure.
4. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
It’s challenging to face the end of a marriage. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt in a broken marriage. She engaged in a heated argument with her husband that left my family devastated. Following the separation, it was tough for my aunt to move on. Not many movies I’ve seen have captured marriages facing trauma as powerfully as “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna”. Released in 2006, Shah Rukh Khan’s movie did an excellent job of depicting marriages between Indian couples ending in catastrophe. In the most emotionally demanding role of his career, Shah Rukh Khan embodies a man whose marriage faces despair when he engages in an affair. Khan has spend most of his career playing heroic characters that are likeable. With “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna”, however, he showcased a vulnerable side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Dev breaks up with his wife Riya showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Kabhi Alivda Naa Kehna” one of SRK’s greatest movies is its message. It delivers a profound message about marriages. A powerful portrait of marriage, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to engage making movies delivering a meaningful message.
5. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. However, fate caused our relationship to deteriorate. When my family immigrated, I lost all contact with a girl that I had appreciated. As someone treasuring joyous memories of a childhood crush that changed my life in a huge way, I loved “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”. Released in 1998, Shah Rukh Khan’s film has stood the test of time as a romantic classic that audiences appreciate. In the most romantic role of his career, Khan embodies a college student whose friendship with a childhood sweetheart faces despair. It’s a great role that gave Khan a chance to showcase his natural charisma as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Rahul experienced an emotional reunion with Anjali following several years of separation is a highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” a classic is its message. It delivers a profound message that would resonate with anyone that cherishes childhood crushes they formed at an early age. A captivating portrait of childhood crushes that over time begin deteriorating, its a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose celebrated movies are worth appreciating.
6. Veer-Zaara
Partition in Pakistan’s history shaped my grandfather’s identity. I remember a grandfather that would tell my family stories about partition in history. I grew up to value a grandfather that taught me about hardships his family in partition went through. As someone recalling fond memories of a grandpa that told stories about partition, I loved “Veer-Zaara”. Released in 2004, Shah Rukh Khan’s movie did an exceptional job of depicting partition on the big-screen. In the most complex role of his career, Shah Rukh Khan embodies an Indian man that engages in an affair with a Muslim woman causing despair. It’s a role that gave Khan a chance to showcase his charisma as an icon in Bollywood Cinema. A powerful portrait of partition shaping India as a nation, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies are worthy of celebration.
7. Devdas
Alcohol addiction is a painful process putting people under stress. Several years ago, I witnessed a close companion endure alcohol addiction. Our friendship ended when I decided I could no longer bear seeing him get wasted. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured alcohol addiction people to pass away as powerfully as “Devdas”. Released in 2002, Shah Rukh Khan’s movie depicted alcoholism on the big-screen. In the most tragic role of his career, Khan embodies an alcoholic lover whose addiction to liquor causes his relationship to be catastrophic. With his droopy eyes, drunken demeanour and lack of speech, Khan paints an authentic portrait of an alcoholic. A powerful portrait of alcohol addiction causing relationships to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor whose timeless movies Indian audiences consider special.
8. Dil Se
One of the criticisms often levelled against Shah Rukh Khan is he doesn’t take risks as an actor. Since his career began years ago, Khan has been typecast as a romantic hero. However, in 1998 Khan surprised audiences in a major way when he made his bravest film “Dil Se”. In the most daring role of his career, Khan embodies a journalist that pursues a romantic affair with a woman he isn’t aware is a terrorist. It’s a role that gave Khan a chance to step out of comfort zone by playing a complex character that isn’t a stereotypical romantic hero. Working alongside Manisha Koirala who is also excellent, Khan created a powerful portrait of terrorism in India. A terrific depiction of terrorism causing romantic relationships to experience endings which are tragic, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
9. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Shah Rukh Khan is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing romantic characters. Khan has built an image of playing romantic heroes seeking marriage. Khan’s ability to play romantic heroes that take audiences’ breath away is clearly evident in his film “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”. Released in 1995, Shah Rukh Khan’s movie has stood the test of time as a romantic classic. In the most iconic role of his career, Khan embodies a man engaging in a romantic affair that’s tragic. Khan showcases his natural charisma in the most iconic role of his career. It’s the breakthrough role that turned Khan into the superstar that he is today. 30 years following the release of a Bollywood film about couples engaging in a romantic affair, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made movies about which audiences care.
10. My Name is Khan
Islamophobia is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Bollywood has often struggled to tell stories about terrorists that are misunderstood. A painful subject matter, terrorism is a tough topic to tackle. However, in 2010 Shah Rukh Khan successfully tackled the sensitive subject in his film “My Name is Khan”. In the most courageous role of his career, Khan embodied an Autistic man embarking on adventurous journeys to prove he isn’t a terrorist that’s dangerous. It’s challenging to personify a man with Asperger’s Syndrome, but Khan succeeded. Khan successfully used facial tics to paint an authentic portrait of an Autistic person. As powerful as Rizwan’s desires to meet the president of America, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies I will forever treasure for shaping my love of Cinema.
The Film Buff 
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