Did you know Shah Rukh Khan initially took villain roles because he was called ‘ugly’? Actor recalls, ‘Didn’t look like Swiss chocolate’

Did you know Shah Rukh Khan initially took villain roles because he was called ‘ugly’? Actor recalls, ‘Didn’t look like Swiss chocolate’

As an ardent fan of the one and only, Shah Rukh Khan, I find myself constantly amazed by his resilience, charisma, and undeniable talent. His recent sharing at the Locarno Film Festival about his early struggles and how he turned them into opportunities is nothing short of inspiring.


Shah Rukh Khan, frequently referred to as the ruler of Bollywood romance, recently disclosed some challenges he faced at the start of his career during the Locarno Film Festival 2024. He reminisced about a harsh comment from a director who told him he was “ugly.” King Khan recounted, “This director said that the most appealing aspect of you is your ugliness, because all these heroes look like they’re made of Swiss chocolate. I didn’t resemble Swiss chocolate.”

Shah Rukh Khan chose to take on unique character roles after facing criticism from a director, which allowed him to move away from his traditional hero persona and explore deeper, complex characters instead.

During the 77th Locarno Film Festival, as reported by Times Now, Shah Rukh Khan reminisced about an old encounter with a filmmaker who noted his unusual appearance compared to other actors, who were likened to ‘Swiss chocolate’ for their polished looks. However, the director acknowledged that it was precisely this distinct, less conventional feature of Khan that made him stand out. This recollection was shared by Khan during a conversation with festival director Giona A. Nazzaro, highlighting how his unique appearance has been a defining factor in his career within the industry.

Shah Rukh Khan addressed the director’s feedback by opting to play characters deviating from the conventional hero persona. He preferred portraying deeper, multi-faceted roles instead. The actor revealed that this initial encounter inspired him to tackle villainous roles, such as his part in Yash Chopra’s Darr, which was filmed in Switzerland.

During this time, Yash Chopra unexpectedly proposed a role for a romantic lead to him, saying, “I’d like to put you in a love story. You don’t seem too unappealing as a leading man.” This opportunity eventually led Shah Rukh Khan to star in the legendary film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, directed by Aditya Chopra. Looking back on his career change, SRK jokingly commented, “Guess I’ve become the Swiss chocolate boy now.”

On Saturday, Shah Rukh Khan received the career achievement award at Locarno. The event was vibrant and engaging, with spectators joining in on some of his well-known tunes. Khan also showcased his famous arms-spread posture, acknowledging that it was a smart trick choreographer Saroj Khan came up with to help him navigate complex dance routines.

During the very same event, Shah Rukh Khan discussed his forthcoming action movie, helmed by Sujoy Ghosh. A clip of him talking about it has gone viral. The actor announced his upcoming venture, titled “King.” He explained that to meet the physical requirements for the action scenes, he must lose some weight and boost his flexibility. It’s worth mentioning that Shah Rukh Khan received the Pardo alla Carriera award at this event, and he shared that he has been considering this project for quite a few years now.

Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, King features Suhana Khan and Abhishek Bachchan alongside Shah Rukh Khan.

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2024-08-12 05:39