New Delhi: Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, who became a household name in the 1990s, recently shared a heartfelt sentiment about why he chooses to work on grand films. In a candid interview on the Locarno Meets podcast, he revealed that his motivation comes from a desire for his late parents to witness his success from the afterlife.
Reflecting on his film Devdas, released in 2003, SRK recounted that he was initially advised against taking on the role, but felt a deep need to do so as a tribute to his mother. “There came a time that we wouldn’t be doing it, and I moved on. But I was very keen to do such a film in my career. My parents had passed away by the time I joined films; both of them were not alive. I don’t know, for some reason, I always felt I’ll make films that are very big so that my mom and dad can see them from heaven,” he said.
He acknowledged that this might seem “childish,” but he genuinely believed that his mother would have appreciated the film. “I still think my mom’s a star, and it works. I think I even know the star she is. So I just felt that if I made Devdas, she would really like it. She would appreciate it,” he added.
A Personal Challenge
Shah Rukh Khan expressed his initial reservations about his acting capabilities but felt compelled to take on the challenging role in Devdas to honor his mother’s memory. “I just wanted to do it, maybe just to tell my mom, ‘Hey mom, I did Devdas.’ For me, it was that first and also working with Mr. Bhansali,” he shared.
About Devdas
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Devdas is based on the classic novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The film tells the tragic love story of Devdas (played by SRK) and Paro (Aishwarya Rai), whose relationship is thwarted by societal pressures. Devdas spirals into alcoholism after Paro marries someone else, showcasing a poignant tale of love, loss, and despair, alongside notable performances by Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff.
Upcoming Projects
On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in the film Dunki. He is currently involved in an upcoming project, King, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, where he will also star alongside his daughter, Suhana Khan.
