The magnetic allure of Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood’s undisputed king, is felt far beyond the Indian borders. In a recent promotional stint for his film ‘Dunki,’ which is now available on Netflix, he once again showcased his global appeal. Known affectionately as King Khan, the veteran actor’s extensive body of work has been crucial in cementing Indian cinema’s reputation worldwide.
In a creative publicity move for ‘Dunki,’ Shah Rukh Khan unveiled a humorous video where he, clad in a sleek black suit and sporting classy goggles, makes a grand entrance at a visa office. The scene is set with actor Ashwin Mushran playing the visa officer, who remains unimpressed by the blustering confidence of SRK as he seeks a single visa granting him access to 190 countries. When faced with the officer’s refusal, Shah Rukh Khan confidently rattles off his international influence, boasting about how he has essentially instigated a new “British Raj” given that in England “every third guy is named Raj.” His witticisms continue as he comments on Brexit by quipping how the European Union probably implored the UK to reconsider, echoing his famous film dialogue “Palat, Palat, Palat.”
The Bollywood megastar also jests about his sway over South Korean affections, signaling to the camera with a “Love you BTS,” before humorously indicating how he’s shaped the American image by pointing to a television featuring the Statue of Liberty posing with arms wide open in his signature style. Despite these playful assertions of influence, the end of the video reveals the star’s visa application comically getting refused.
‘Dunki,’ which marks the maiden collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and celebrated director Rajkumar Hirani, hit the theaters in December. Alongside Khan, the film stars Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal. The narrative explores the journey of individuals who take unconventional routes to migrate from India to London. Following its successful theatrical run, ‘Dunki’ has now made its digital debut on Netflix.
The year 2023 has been significant for Shah Rukh Khan. Returning to the silver screen after a four-year pause, he made waves with three back-to-back blockbusters—’Pathaan,’ ‘Jawan,’ and ‘Dunki.’ He recently engaged with fans during a meet-and-greet in Mumbai, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the love and support that has surpassed the adoration for his films. Reflecting on his past cinematic setbacks, Khan emphasized the affection from both domestic and international fans, which has motivated him to continue his passion for acting with resilience.
While there haven’t been official announcements for his next project, the buzz is that Shah Rukh Khan has embarked on a new cinematic venture with director Sujoy Ghosh, where he will share the screen with his daughter Suhana Khan. Suhana Khan, recently stepping into the limelight, made her cinematic debut with ‘The Archies.’
To say Shah Rukh Khan’s stardom is merely an Indian phenomenon would be a gross understatement. His films and charismatic presence have reached across oceans, resonating with audiences worldwide, and his recent flirtation with total global access in the ‘Dunki’ promotional video is a testament to his border-transcending fame and the love he commands from his myriad of fans, both at home and abroad.
