‘I Make Big Films So My Parents Can See Them from Heaven’: Shah Rukh Khan

October 17, 2024: In August 2024, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan made an appearance at the 77th Locarno Film Festival. During his time there, he sat down for an episode of the festival’s podcast Locarno Meets, where he shared intimate insights into his career, family, and his vision for future projects.

Known for his humility and honest nature, Shah Rukh Khan has always been open about his deep connection with his family. In the interview, the actor revealed that his parents are the reason behind his drive to create and star in big films. SRK, who lost both his parents at a young age, often recalls how he and his mother would sit together and watch films after his father’s passing. He shared that his motivation to make large-scale films stems from a desire for his parents to witness his work, even if it’s from heaven.

“I don’t know, for some reason, I always felt I will make films which are very big so that my mom and dad can see it from heaven, and I still think my mom is a star and it works,” SRK said. “And I even know the star she is.”

While speaking at the festival, Shah Rukh also discussed his acclaimed 2002 film Devdas, a role that brought him international recognition. He admitted he had initial doubts about playing the titular character, which had been previously portrayed by legendary actors such as Dilip Kumar. Despite receiving advice from senior actors to not take on the role, SRK did it as a tribute to his late mother, who adored the film’s storyline.

Reflecting on his portrayal of Devdas, Khan said, “I don’t think mine is so brilliant and good, but despite a lot of senior actors telling me not to do it, I just wanted to do it. I think maybe I would feel like, ‘Mom, I did Devdas.’”

When asked if there are any roles he hasn’t had the opportunity to play, SRK revealed that he is always open to new characters, although he’s unsure how much variety he can bring to them. “I am not stereotyped; I am hero type,” he explained, acknowledging that he portrays his characters in a larger-than-life manner. However, King Khan did share his excitement about portraying darker roles again.

“I think I have a new way of playing a bad guy,” he said, expressing his desire to return to a villainous role. SRK, who fulfilled his long-standing dream of doing action films in 2023, now wishes to switch gears and take on an assassin role in the future.

After 30 years in the film industry, Shah Rukh also mentioned wanting a change of pace from the intense action roles. “Maybe after six months, I would like to do comedy, a little gentle film,” he joked, while encouraging someone to write a good comedy script for him. Fans, remembering his comedic performances in Baadshah, Chennai Express, and Happy New Year, are eagerly awaiting his return to lighter roles.

As SRK continues to evolve as an actor, he remains a beloved figure worldwide, admired for his versatility and dedication to his craft. His reflections at Locarno provided yet another reason for fans to anticipate his upcoming projects.