My assessment of Shahrukh Khan is my opinion. I’m sure that there are people who can get the real picture inspite of all the media hype. In my review of worst actors list, when I had Shahrukh Khan at number 1, I received 5/6 hate mails. Though I welcome the same this time around, my opinion about him stays.
I liked Shahrukh Khan when he acted in Deewana, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Baazigar & Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. In Darr, he joined handa with Yash Chopra & played dirty with Sunny Deol, using Sunny’s duplicate for his death scene. I have hated Shahrukh ever since. But the industry worships the rising sun & the Chopra’s still bank on Shahrukh Khan. Also, one can’t forget the oft repeated allegation about him lobbying & paying for Filmfare awards. And the doubts over his underworld connections...
Shahrukh Khan’s acting style includes overacting, hamming & playing second fiddle to his heroines. Also, his ’I’m the Best’ attitude is a big put off. Especially when actors like Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgan & Akshaye Khanna are doing well and not repeating themselves. Also, his major hits have been with the Chopras’ & the Johar’s. He is also locked into his romantic image & is unconvincing doing tragedy, serious & comic roles.
Now, to talk about his worst performances, Here goes...
Devdas (2002): A beautiful story about a lover who takes to drinking and meets his death. The 50 crore film had Chandramukhi, Paro & Shahrukh. While watching the film, one can see only Shahrukh, not Devdas. Compare that with Ajay Devgan in ’The Legend of Bhagat Singh’, Aamir Khan in ’Lagaan’ or any other decent performance. Inspite of being overshadowed by Aishwarya & Madhuri, he walks away with the Filmfare award for this non-performance.
Asoka (2001): Shahrukh’s home production was a washout. Shahrukh thought that he would make a quick low budget flick and have a hit to his name at a time when he was not doing particularly well. But even this flopped & the highlight of the film was a semi nude Kareena Kapoor. Sunny Deol’s ’Indian’ released on the same day took Asoka head on & came out triumps. Indian grossed 20+ crores whereas Asoka’s share was 8.5 crores.
Mohabbatein (2000): Shahrukh hadn’t had a hit in two years since Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). This okey-dokey film made it big at the box office. But Shahrukh, the main protagonist of the film was a big letdown. Trading his romantic image for a more sober one, he was a disappointment. Watching a 60-year old ex-superstar with a 35-year old media made superstar was a clear indication of who’s the boss.
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000): Shahrukh’s crowning glory, his first home production was a complete washout. Yet, Shahrukh claimed that he had made money on the film by placing in-film ads. He whined & winced about how his movie was a hit. It shows another aspect of Shahrukh Khan that he could not accept failure. His ’I’m the Best’ mantra was a laugh when with a single hit, Hrithik Roshan raced ahead of him.
Baadshah (1999): Shahrukh teamed up with his mentors, Abbas-Mustan, and tried to tickle some funny bones. The result was one forgettable movie which flopped badly. He is the very definition of hamming & relies on big heroines to give him a hit.
Shahrukh fans, are you still reading this? Good, this is for you. Shahrukh may be a hit star but his natural acting talent which is displayed in Baazigar (1993), Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994) and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) is on the wane. I’m sure that if Kal Ho Na Ho (2003) relies too much on performance rather than visuals & music, it will join the list of Shahrukh Khan’s disaster films.
Spit any venom that U may want to, in the comments.