Premium

Shah Rukh Khan says he is self-critical, opens up about handling failures: ‘I cry a lot in my bathroom’

Shah Rukh Khan recently opened up about handling failures, acknowledging that while setbacks do affect him, he begins to move forward after allowing himself to have a good cry.

Shah Rukh Khan at Global Freight Summit in Dubai. (Image: SRK Universe/X)

Often described as a “man written by a woman,” one of the key reasons behind Shah Rukh Khan’s immense popularity and the enduring admiration he garners lies in his openness to vulnerability and his refusal to conform to the hypermasculine archetype embraced by many of his contemporaries. Despite being one of the world’s most prominent superstars and the wealthiest among Indian film actors, it is Shah Rukh’s relatability that cements his status as a beloved figure both on and off the screen.

A thespian who has taken some bold movie choices and pushed boundaries, SRK’s career has, hence, seen its fair share of ups and downs. While some of his films have achieved blockbuster status, some have failed too. Recently, Bollywood’s Baadshah opened up about handling failures, acknowledging that while setbacks do affect him, he begins to move forward after allowing himself to have a good cry. Speaking at the Global Freight Summit in Dubai, he also revealed that he can be self-critical at times. “I hate feeling this and then I cry a lot in my bathroom. I do not show it to anyone. You can wallow and self-pity for that much time. And then you have to believe that the world is not against you. Your film did not go wrong because of you or because the world is conspiring to destroy your work. You have to believe that you made it badly. Then you have to move on.”

Also Read | Nayanthara opens up about past relationships, accepts she quit films ‘because the man asked me to’: ‘I trusted easily’

Story continues below this ad

“There are moments of despair but there are moments which say, ‘no, shut up, get up and get on with it’. You have to do it because the world is not against you. You should not believe that things are going wrong only for you. Life moves on. Life does what it does. You cannot start blaming life for what it does. You have to remember it must be something that I or the business did wrong; or the business, marketing or strategy went wrong. I need to figure it out, recalibrate and come back.” he added.

In an industry where most artistes deflect responsibility — blaming audiences or alleging conspiracies when their work doesn’t succeed — SRK stands out for his introspective approach. During the summit, he emphasised that failure doesn’t always stem from external forces but could simply result from an inability to connect with the audience. “When you fail, you should not believe that your product or service or job went wrong. Maybe you just misunderstood the ecosystem you were working in. You have to understand how people are reacting. If I cannot elicit an emotion from the people I cater to, then my product is not going to work how wonderful it may be,” SRK said.

What advice would SRK give to his younger self?

In a heartfelt reflection, King Khan shares that he wouldn’t give advice to his younger self! ❤️🔥@iamsrk #ShahRuhKhan #GFS2024 #GlobalSuperstar #KingKhan #SRK #GlobalFreightSummit pic.twitter.com/vs3wEKlB05

— Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club (@SRKUniverse) November 19, 2024

Global Icon, The Star Speaker – Shah Rukh Khan! ❤️🔥@iamsrk #ShahRuhKhan #GFS2024 #GlobalSuperstar #KingKhan #SRK #GlobalFreightSummit pic.twitter.com/w9vySdyuBi

— Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club (@SRKUniverse) November 19, 2024

With his timeless charm, King Khan lights up screens and global stages alike—his impact, truly universal! ✨@iamsrk #ShahRuhKhan #GFS2024 #GlobalSuperstar #KingKhan #SRK #GlobalFreightSummit pic.twitter.com/Oh4PglXr5R

— Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club (@SRKUniverse) November 19, 2024

When asked what advice he would give his younger self, the 59-year-old actor, with over three decades of experience, said he wouldn’t offer any, explaining that any guidance might alter his journey, which would ultimately change the person he has become — a scenario he wouldn’t want. “I have a son who’s 27, a daughter who’s 23 and another son who’s 11. When I speak with them, I realise that the many decisions I took then, when I was 25-26, I would not take them now if I saw them (the instances) through the lens of my experience. If I didn’t take them then, I would not have reached where I have. So, I don’t want to give my younger self any advice… I want him to be brash, overconfident, bordering on arrogant and being extremely stupid and silly, but being extremely gutsy also.”

SRK, however, concluded his response with his signature wit, quipping that he wished his younger self from the ’90s had better fashion sense. SRK, who was last seen in director Rajkumar Hirani’s comedy drama Dunki (2023), is currently working in Sujoy Ghosh’s King, wherein he will share the screen with his daughter Suhana Khan.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

Tags:
Shah Rukh Khan

‘Violence in Nepal is heart-rending’: PM Modi expresses concern as KP Sharma Oli resigns

India3 hr ago

Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed worry about the turmoil in Nepal and stressed the need for peace and stability. The Nepal Army and security officials called for dialogue to restore order amidst growing protests and the resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. The Indian government issued a safety advisory for Indian citizens, advising against travel until the situation improves.

View all shorts

More Entertainment

Entertainment Only Murders In The Building 5 review: Sleuthing trio is back in a cracking form, deliver a humdinger