Shah Rukh Khan, who’s spent more time spreading arms wide in chiffon-clad mountains than most people spend at their day jobs, celebrates his 58th birthday on November 2.
The man who taught a generation that true love means chasing trains and serenading in mustard fields has been making hearts flutter since the ’90s. From his dimpled smile to those soul-piercing monologues about pyaar, King Khan has turned romance into an art form that would make Shakespeare blush.
Whether he’s playing Raj (the eternal NRI sweetheart) or Samar (the brooding lover), SRK has one superpower: making millions believe in love stories, one dramatic head tilt at a time.
Top 10 Romantic Movies of Shah Rukh Khan
1. ‘Devdas’ (2002)
Devdas was based on the tried and tested old story of two hearts gone wrong, a “Romeo and Juliet” for the bruised and broken-hearted. But this one had teeth. When Devdas, back from his polished studies in London, tries to tie the knot with Paro, his childhood flame, the family shuts it down—her reputation doesn’t pass muster. So, our man does what any tormented lover worth his salt would do: drowns himself in booze and smoke, stumbles into a brothel, and stumbles out ensnared by Chandramukhi, a woman whose eyes tell their own sad story.
With Khan at the helm, it’s a rich tale of love, sin, and slow decay, with Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai circling him like moths to a guttering flame. Even the music had a punch, “Dola Re” drifting out to haunt the city. Devdas became legend, and Khan? He wasn’t just another actor; he made sure everyone knew it.
2. ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ (2012)
Jab Tak Hai Jaan isn’t just another love story; it’s a loaded gun of heartbreak, redemption, and recklessness aimed right at the heavens. Samar (Shah Rukh Khan) had the love of Meera (Katrina Kaif), but their different worlds, different gods, stopped it cold. Instead of walking away, Samar turns his anger inward, daring the divine by staring death in the eye every day as a bomb disposal expert.
This was Yash Chopra’s final act, the last reel from a director who understood romance like he’d been scarred by it himself. The story wound around the audience, pulling them close with visuals as rich as a midnight cityscape and music that sank deep, thanks to A.R. Rahman’s magic. It wasn’t just a hit; it was the third-highest-grossing film of its year and swept across borders with Khan’s magnetism. Anushka Sharma broke through, too, lighting up her scenes and showing the world a star was born.
3. ‘Veer-Zaara’ (2004)
Veer-Zaara was Yash Chopra’s return after seven long years, and it landed like a punch straight to the gut. It’s the kind of romance that doesn’t come easy, a cross-border tale about Veer, an Indian Air Force pilot, and Zaara, a woman from Pakistan. It’s the kind of love that laughs at time, sneers at politics, and grips the heart like a vise. Veer’s story spills out in flashbacks to a young Pakistani lawyer, threading the years together with barbed memories that still sting.
Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta take the lead, but there’s a whole cast of hard-hitters here—Rani Mukerji as the lawyer holds her own and then some. Chopra knew how to pull performances out of his actors, and they bleed across the screen, raw and steady, right through the film’s heaviest moments. Audiences saw it, too; the theaters were packed, the critics floored, and the box office numbers didn’t lie. Even the critics had to admit—93% on Rotten Tomatoes and rising—it was hard to resist Veer-Zaara’s pull.
4. ‘Paheli’ (2005)
Paheli is a strange cocktail—a supernatural romance with a bite, directed by the same guy who gave us Gol Maal. Here, Shah Rukh Khan steps up to play two men cut from the same cloth but stitched with different threads. One’s Kishanlal, a cold-blooded businessman who skips out on his wife Lachchi (Rani Mukherji) the night they marry. The other? A ghost who sees Kishanlal’s absence as an opportunity, slipping into his shoes and falling hard for Lachchi, bringing her the warmth her husband never did.
Khan dives into each role like they’re both sides of the same coin, flipping between aloof and enchanted with skill. As Kishanlal, he’s all ice; as the ghost, he’s the warmth she never knew. He plays it like he’s got us all in the palm of his hand—and knows it, too.
5. ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ (2003)
Kal Ho Naa Ho translates to “whether tomorrow comes or not,” and that’s the exact gamble this story plays on. Naina (Preity Zinta) has her life all mapped out with her best friend, Rohit (Saif Ali Khan)—until Aman (Shah Rukh Khan) struts into town, serenades her with a “Pretty Woman,” and throws her heart into a tailspin. She falls, but Aman’s got a secret he guards like a loaded gun, so instead, he pushes her toward Rohit, playing matchmaker when he’s the only one holding the match.
The plot’s as crazy as it sounds, but it’s Khan’s charisma that holds it all together. Aman’s got a wisecrack and a smile, but Khan lets us in on something deeper—under the humor, he’s keeping his own heartache at bay. He’s the one teaching Naina’s family about love, acceptance, maybe even healing. By the end, his performance hits like a gut punch; you laugh, sure, but he’s also got you wiping tears away, knowing that some secrets hurt no matter how much you smile through them.
6. ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (1998)
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai—it’s a story about friendship, love, and second chances, played out over two decades with all the twists you’d expect. Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) is the charmer here, the guy who gets the laughs and the girl, too—at least until life throws a curve. He’s got Anjali (Kajol) on one side and Tina (Rani Mukerji) on the other, and the love triangle that follows makes for a tangled, heartwarming mess of emotions.
Under Karan Johar’s lens, this isn’t just another rom-com; it’s a cultural storm that lit up screens with its iconic lines and memorable songs, launching fashions that hung around like perfume. Khan’s Rahul became the standard for the romantic hero, and the film swept through India and beyond, snagging hearts and setting box office records. And those Filmfare Awards? It claimed every one of its nine nominations, including a nod for Salman Khan in a rare supporting role. It was a win from every angle, a classic then and now.
7. ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004)
Main Hoon Na is a wild ride buried in Shah Rukh Khan’s legacy, a classic with an 81% on Rotten Tomatoes but hidden in the shadows of his reign. Khan plays Major Ram Prasad, a soldier with a mission as twisted as a back alley—he goes undercover as a student, mixing his military grit with high school antics to protect his commander’s daughter, Sanjana (Amrita Rao). Along the way, he falls for his teacher, balances physics homework with surveillance, and tries to patch things up with his reckless half-brother, Lucky (Zayed Khan).
In the middle of the mayhem, Khan holds down the emotional core, his quieter moments grounding the absurdity around him. But it’s his brotherly bond with Lucky that cuts through, laced with all the guilt, patriotism, and love the story can bear. It’s a chaotic mix of action and heart, wrapping up in an explosive finish that sticks the landing.
8. ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995)
Directed by Aditya Chopra, the son of Yash Chopra, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is a classic romantic drama, a love story drenched in longing. Raj and Simran meet in the shadowy corners of Europe, where romance blooms, yet the road to happiness is tangled with the weight of tradition. Simran’s father, a hard man with a heart like a stone, must be convinced of their love. With Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the lead, the film’s pulse quickens. Amrish Puri, a familiar face, adds to the drama.
Critics lauded the film for its slick cocktail of romance, drama, and humor, a blend that tickled the heart and made it a timeless classic. Khan’s portrayal of Raj, the dashing lover, set the standard for screen romances. Its influence was undeniable, especially the unforgettable train scene, a moment so iconic it’s been copied more times than a cheap dime novel. With a run of over 25 years, the film stands as India’s longest-running show, a testament to a love story that just wouldn’t quit.
9. ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007)
When Farah Khan teams up with SRK, it’s like stirring a cocktail that bubbles over with magic. In Om Shanti Om, they created a tempest in Bollywood that still echoes in the smoky corners of film history. Khan plays dual roles—a fledgling director smitten with the starlet Shanti, portrayed by Deepika Padukone, who meets a fiery end too soon. But death isn’t the end; he’s reincarnated as Om, another actor on a quest to untangle the web of his previous life’s murder. This love story, stretching across lifetimes, features one of Bollywood’s most unforgettable sequences, where a multitude of stars come together, dancing in a grand celebration of nostalgia.
Khan’s performance in Om Shanti Om is the stuff of fairy tales, a smooth blend of charisma and charm that makes you fall for him not once but twice. He doesn’t just wear two roles; he wears them like a tailored suit, seamlessly shifting from love to murder, from friendship to the quest for something greater. The film dances along the edges of meta, intertwining Khan’s own rise with a story that’s as timeless as it is ethereal. In every frame, there’s a hint of his journey, layered beneath stunning visuals and an enchanting narrative that keeps you spellbound.
10. Dil Se.. (1998)
SRK’s filmography is a treasure trove of moments. One such gem is the sight of him atop a train, spinning and dancing to A.R. Rahman and Gulzar’s infectious ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya.’ That scene didn’t just light up screens; it catapulted him into international stardom, with Dil Se.. crashing into the UK box office’s top ten—a feat that made waves. Yet, in Mani Ratnam’s politically charged romance, Khan took a sharp turn into darker waters. Playing a lovesick journalist chasing a woman tied to Assam’s liberation struggle, he sought to peel away the heroic facade and venture into the shadowy territories of love and conflict.
Conclusion
Shah Rukh Khan has spent decades perfecting the art of making viewers swoon faster than you can say “Palat!” His romantic repertoire isn’t just about dramatic train chases and designer sherwanis – it’s a masterclass in making millions believe that true love comes with a signature pose and killer dialogues. From Switzerland to Punjab, SRK has left no scenic spot un-romanced.
The verdict? When it comes to on-screen love, Khan isn’t just king – he’s the whole royal family, complete with that trademark dimpled crown.
FAQs
1. Why is Shah Rukh Khan called the “King of Romance”?
Shah Rukh Khan earned his crown as the “King of Romance” with roles that ran the gamut from youthful crushes to timeless love. In films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Veer-Zaara, he didn’t just capture hearts; he reshaped the very definition of the romantic hero in the gritty landscape of Indian cinema.
2. What are some of Shah Rukh Khan’s most famous romantic movies?
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Veer-Zaara, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, and Devdas.
3. Which Shah Rukh Khan movie had the longest theatrical run?
When it comes to longevity, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge reigns supreme. With over 25 years on the marquee, it stands as the eternal testament to love, refusing to fade into the background of cinematic history.
Amit Gupta is a 2016 graduate of Delhi University, India. After working over a decade as an additional writer at TheScoopVilla, he decided to start his own news publication. He mainly focuses on Bollywood News, Hindi and South Indian Movies, Web series articles and editorials. He likes to cooking and play cricket in his free time. Follow On Facebook.