Shah Rukh Khan recently shone at the Locarno Film Festival, where he was honored with the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism award. Despite his illustrious career spanning over 30 years and nearly 100 films in Indian cinema, Khan has yet to venture into Hollywood. When asked about a potential Hollywood opportunity, the iconic actor humorously replied, “Speak English well enough.”
In a recent conversation with Variety, Khan shared his aspirations for Hollywood and explained why he hasn’t made the leap. While acknowledging Hollywood’s global influence, he emphasized that any role must match the admiration he has received from his Indian fans.
Khan stated, “I don’t want to sound uppity, but any role should live up to the status the Indian audience has given me. I respect and realize the adulation I receive and how much people adore me.”
He added that he feels deeply grateful for the support from his fans, both in India and globally. “People have given me and my family everything I have. The respect I receive from the Indian community and the subcontinent means a lot to me,” he said.
Khan also revealed that he hasn’t received any Hollywood roles he felt were too good to pass up. He expressed his desire to see Indian cinema reach a wider global audience. “I don’t have an agent in Hollywood, and I haven’t actively sought opportunities there. My dream is for an Indian film to be seen by a global audience, whether I’m involved as an actor, producer, writer, or presenter. I just want an Indian story to gain worldwide acceptance, and I hope to be a small part of that.”
At 57, Khan remains a major draw in Indian cinema. After a five-year hiatus, his remarkable return with Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki collected Rs 2500 crore at the global box office, marking a historic comeback.
Looking ahead, Khan is set to star in the action film King with Sujoy Ghosh, which will also mark the big-screen debut of his daughter, Suhana Khan. King is expected to begin filming by the end of 2024 and is slated for release next year.