An Outsider To King Of Bollywood: How Shah Rukh Khan Became A Living Legend To Millions Of Fans

Long before he became a living legend, Shah Rukh Khan was once standing at Marine Drive when he looked across the sea at the setting sun and declared, "I'll rule this city one day."

And as the popular dialogue of his film Om Shanti Om says, "Agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho; to puri kainaat usse tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai," that's exactly what happened.

The ultimate success story of a superstar - Shah Rukh Khan

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Today, people across the world are celebrating his return to the silver screen after four long years. His film Pathaan has surpassed Rs 400 crores in just 4 days and the frenzy is on to another level altogether - something that the world hasn't witnessed before.

Do you how this biggest outsider bagged his first project?

How Shah Rukh Khan bagged his debut project Fauji

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Shah Rukh Khan's first project was a TV show called Fauji, which aired on Doordarshan. Lt. Col Raj Kumar Kapoor who helmed the project once revealed how SRK was cast.

"I was looking for commandos and he (Shah Rukh Khan) turned up at my office. I took a look at him and asked 'You are going to be a commando?' He said 'Yes, sir. I will do the role really well".

He was looking for something more than just good acting. "I looked at his face and the first thing that hit me was the thing that he had done with his nails and cheeks, he had created some dents. I thought he created it just for the role".

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SRK was one of the shortlisted actors who were given another task. "I took these guys, there were around eight or nine boys, for a run. I was pleasantly surprised that he (Shah Rukh Khan) hung on but half the people left and didn't come back from the run."

"I goaded him to hit me and he finally did. I could sense his aggressive nature. It was a presence that the camera loved. My Abhimanyu Rai was born, though honestly, I hadn't pencilled him in for the part," the colonel was quoted as saying.

His dedication turned the wheel of fortune for him. He went on to star in Circus and also did minor roles in Umeed and Waagle Ki Duniya.

But he hit the rock bottom after he lost his mother due to complications of diabetes, but with his dedication, he revived his decision to join Bollywood.

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Shah Rukh Khan made his Bollywood debut with Deewana in 1992, and thus began the journey of becoming the king.

Shah Rukh had once said, "When I came from Delhi, I had no family. I had nobody and I tell this to everyone that I have an extended family in all the filmmakers, all these leading ladies, all the producers, some other friends IĄ¯ve made along the way in the film industry."

He then bagged movies like Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and Chamatkar. In 1993, he did what nobody expected he would. He opted for two negative roles - Darr and Baazigar. The two films that were rejected by Aamir Khan and Salman Khan respectively changes his life. These role not only made people sit back and take notice of him, he also won many hearts and awards.

Anjaam and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa were two of his most powerful performances that everyone praised. He then made history with projects like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Yes Boss, Pardes, Dil Toh Pagal Hai and more - the film that made his earn the tag of King of Bollywood.

At this time, Yash Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan were hit machines.

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In the 2000, Shah Rukh Khan worked on a lot of projects and not all of them were blockbusters, but they are now considered cult film - Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Badshah and Asoka.

After giving hits again like Kal Ho Na Ho, Chalte Chalte, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Devdas and Mohabbatein, he turned into producer for Red Chillies Entertainment Limited. Veer Zara and Main Hoon Naa are the two success stories under his banner.

Shah Rukh Khan experimented with roles

From Swades to Chak De India, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Paheli, Shah Rukh Khan experimented with roles.

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In the next decade, he gave hits like Happy New Year, Chennai Express, Don 2, My Name is Khan, Dilwale, Jab Tak Hai Jaan. However, he saw a rough patch after his films like Fan, Zero and Jab Harry Met Sejal failed miserably at the box office, and people started questioning if his time was over.

He took a break and witnessed his son getting arrested and becoming national news only to be given a clean chit later in the drugs case.

This year, he made a comeback and claimed his throne of King of Bollywood yet again - at the age of 57.

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