All hail ‘King Khan’: Why Shah Rukh Khan is one of the most famous men in the world
A look at the Bollywood star's decades-long career and why his fanbase spans continents and generations
Shah Rukh Khan in "Jawan."
Red Chilles Entertainment
Words by Anjana Pawa
When Shah Rukh Khan arrived at the Met Gala last month in a regal black Sabyasachi ensemble, he was making history. It was his first time making an appearance at the event, even though his illustrious career has spanned more than three decades. The appearance marked a rare moment of visibility on a Western red carpet for one of the most influential actors in global cinema, but many interviewers didn’t know who he was or just how prolific his work is. One reporter on the red carpet even asked him what his name was. And at one point during his interview with Vogue, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee felt the need to call out, “just to give you a little bit of context, Shah Rukh Khan is probably one of the most famous men in the world.”
And he’s not exaggerating.
To understand the scale of Khan’s fame is to understand the scale of Bollywood. Since his debut in 1992, Khan—who is sometimes referred to as SRK, or lovingly as “King Khan” across India—has starred in almost 100 films. He has been the lead actor in some of the highest-grossing Bollywood blockbusters of all time. And during this time, he has cultivated a fanbase that spans continents and generations. He’s become a pillar of South Asian culture.
The moment at the Met didn’t go unnoticed, especially by South Asian fans on social media. Many took to Reddit and TikTok wondering why there was no coverage on the actor’s attendance, especially when Forbes has called him “the biggest movie star in the world.” Many were in disbelief that Western fashion media hadn’t done their homework.
One of the reasons Khan has had such staying power is the versatility he has when it comes to playing a leading role. Throughout his career, he’s done romantic comedies, action, historical epics, coming-of-age dramas, and more. There’s truly a Shah Rukh Khan film for everyone. And if you’re curious what all the fuss is about, we’ve put together a starter pack of some essentials, spanning three decades and several genres, to queue up for your next movie night.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is one of the longest-running films in Indian history, still playing in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir theater 30 years after its release. Often abbreviated as DDLJ, this is the film that really cemented Khan’s status as Bollywood’s favorite romantic hero. He plays Raj, a carefree London boy who falls for Simran on a Euro trip, only to travel to India to win over her conservative family.
Devdas (2002)
In Devdas, Khan takes on one of Indian literature’s most tragic figures. This film, which is based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel of the same title, is a period piece that tells the story of Devdas, a wealthy man who spirals into self-destruction after losing his childhood love. This is one of SRK’s most memorable and heartbreaking roles.
Chak De! India (2007)
In Chak De! India, SRK stars as Kabir Khan, a disgraced former hockey captain who finds redemption by coaching India’s women’s hockey team. It’s a beloved film with the Indian audience and breaks the actor out of his romantic mold, really showcasing his breadth as the country’s biggest star.
My Name Is Khan (2010)
My Name Is Khan tackles post-Sept. 11 Islamophobia through the journey of Rizwan Khan, played by SRK, a Muslim man with Asperger syndrome who is determined to meet the U.S. president to clear his name. “My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist,” the character says several times throughout the film. Khan’s portrayal of the character is a tearjerker.
Pathaan (2023)
Pathaan marks Shah Rukh Khan’s big return to films after a brief hiatus. The spy thriller partners him with superstar Deepika Padukone—a beloved on-screen pair in the industry—and revitalized the action genre post-pandemic. It went on to become one of Bollywood’s highest grossing films of all time.
Published on June 23, 2025
Words by Anjana Pawa
Anjana Pawa is a Brooklyn-based culture reporter who regularly covers music, entertainment and beauty. You can find her on Twitter at @apawawrites.