Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, known for his larger-than-life films, recently opened up about the emotional connection he has with the grandeur of his movies. During an appearance on the Locarno Meets podcast at the Locarno Film Festival, Shah Rukh reflected on how his parents, whom he lost early in life, continue to influence his career choices.
While discussing his 2002 hit Devdas, Shah Rukh shared that he often does big films to honor his late parents. “My parents had passed away by the time I joined films, both of them were not alive. I don't know, for some reason, I always felt I'll make films which are very big, so that my mom and dad can see them from heaven,” he said.
He acknowledged that this thought might seem "childish" but revealed he still believes in it, especially with his mother. "I still think my mom’s a star, and it works. I even think I know the star she is. I just felt that if I made Devdas, she would really like it, she would appreciate it," Shah Rukh added, referring to the belief that loved ones who pass away become stars watching over us.
Devdas, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was one of the most ambitious projects of its time, with a budget of ₹50 crore, making it the most expensive Indian film when it was released in 2002. The film, co-starring Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit, became a massive critical and commercial success. Shah Rukh recalled how at one point, the project almost got shelved, but he was determined to be part of such a grand film, believing it would have made his mother proud.
Shah Rukh Khan’s filmography is filled with other grand successes such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Ra.One, and more recently, action blockbusters like Jawan and Pathaan. His dedication to making large-scale films continues, with reports suggesting that he is teaming up with his daughter, Suhana Khan, for Sujoy Ghosh’s upcoming project King.
Through these films, Shah Rukh keeps his parents’ memory alive, striving to create cinema that not only resonates with audiences but also makes his parents proud, wherever they are.