If Hollywood were to reach out, what would Shah Rukh Khan do? The star humorously responds, “Speak English well enough.” Despite being one of India’s top stars, Shah Rukh Khan has often been asked why he hasn’t ventured into Hollywood. He explains that he would only take on a project that maintains the respect he has earned from his Indian fans.
In a conversation with Variety, Khan was questioned about his absence from Hollywood films throughout his over 30-year career. He acknowledged Hollywood as “the world’s greatest and biggest cinema” in terms of global influence.
Khan expressed that, while he doesn’t want to appear pretentious, any role he accepts should reflect the high regard Indian audiences have for him. He values the admiration and respect he receives and feels it’s important that his roles, even in Hollywood, do not diminish this respect. Despite his outwardly casual demeanor, he deeply understands and appreciates the support he has from fans in India and worldwide.
He mentioned that maintaining this respect is crucial for him, which is why he hasn’t pursued Hollywood roles aggressively. He does not have an agent there and has not actively sought such opportunities. Khan’s aspiration is to see an Indian film achieve the global reach of a major Hollywood production, whether he is acting, producing, writing, or contributing in any other capacity.
Following a challenging period in his career, Shah Rukh Khan made a remarkable comeback last year with three successful films—Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki—which collectively earned over Rs 2,500 crore globally. His daughter Suhana made her acting debut with The Archies, while his son Aryan is awaiting the release of his first directorial project, Stardom.
Khan noted that he feels less knowledgeable about the current state of art and entertainment compared to his children. He admits to being proficient in acting but refrains from giving detailed advice on their creative decisions, respecting their unique perspectives and approaches.
For his son’s debut series, Khan offers feedback on specific aspects but avoids imposing his views too strongly. He believes it is important for his children to develop their own style and approach. He sees the process as a learning and teaching experience, emphasizing that collaboration and exchange of ideas are essential in the creative field.
