When SRK took on comedy in ‘Baadshah', doubts emerged about his reign at the Box Office
“King of Romance” Shah Rukh Khan faced one of his toughest challenges in 1999 with the release of “Baadshah”. Known for romance and action movies, SRK ventured into comedy for the first time with the Abbas-Mustan directorial. However, the experiment did not pay off as expected at the ticket counters.
While “Baadshah” had all the elements to attract audiences like the popular director duo, SRK's star power and a blend of genres, its marketing missed the mark. The film was promoted as an out-and-out action entertainer but had light-hearted comedy woven in. This left viewers disappointed with a mismatch in expectations versus delivery.
The year also saw massive successes of family dramas and intense love stories. In such a scenario, “Baadshah”felt out of place for the movie-goers. Adding to SRK's woes was the hype surrounding Hrithik Roshan's debut. With the veteran superstar's back-to-back failures, whispers began if his reign had come to an end.
However, SRK was merely ahead of his time with the unique concept in “Baadshah”. While the experimental film bombed at first, it has now garnered a cult following over the years. The setback was a minor speedbump in SRK's illustrious career rather than the decline many predicted. He soon cemented his place again with mega-hits in different genres. Two decades since, SRK continues entertaining audiences, reaffirming his enduring star power and versatility.
