Shah Rukh Khan has always been candid about the challenges he faced during his early years in the film industry. In an old interview with the BBC, the actor recalled how people initially perceived him as arrogant simply because he didn’t conform to the expectations of humility and deference that were expected of newcomers. Responding to a question about what made him a star, the Dunki actor responded, “I came to Bombay by accident, I came for a year and I got sucked into films. I was a theatre actor and I wanted to try my hand at a different medium. How would films be. The whole thing was very enigmatic to me. I came here and I am still here after 5 years.” Reflecting on his early career, Shah Rukh Khan revealed that he intentionally gravitated toward offbeat and anti-hero characters. Driven by a desire to push boundaries and keep audiences guessing, he embraced roles that defied traditional norms. However, his daring approach wasn’t universally welcomed within the industry. He added, “When I came here people told me my hair and overall look is wrong, my attitude is wrong. They said I am arrogant and that I am not a nice guy. They told me I am the kind of person who won’t make it in Hindi films. I did a lot of anti-hero roles when I started and they told me it is completely wrong.” He also mentioned that his height, or lack thereof, played a part in how others viewed him. “I wasn’t surrounded by commercial aura. I wasn’t 6 feet tall, I didn’t dress correctly, I didn’t have style of a film star and I didn’t suck up to anybody which is the way of film stars sometimes. I had nothing to lose actually and that was the problem. They thought this guy has nothing to lose so he can never be a star.” While Shah Rukh Khan defied all odds and became a superstar eventually. There are lessons to be learnt from his initial experience in the industry. In both personal and professional spaces, people often walk a fine line between being confident and coming off as overbearing or aloof. But how do you navigate this delicate balance? Key differences between being self-assured and coming across as arrogant Gurleen Baruah, Organizational Psychologist at That Culture Thing, tells indianexpress.com, “Arrogance often involves thinking one is superior, mocking or belittling others, or making sarcastic comments that elevate oneself at others' expense. It can also manifest in dismissive or condescending behaviour, though the degree of arrogance varies from person to person.” On the other hand, she says that self-assuredness “reflects quiet confidence and self-belief” without the need to compare oneself to others or diminish anyone else's value. A self-assured person focuses on their interests while being mindful of others', striving for win-win interactions rather than engaging in one-upmanship. Why do people tend to associate confidence with arrogance Baruah states, “How others perceive us is something we can't fully control, but it’s fascinating how often confidence is mistaken for arrogance. In popular culture, this mix-up seems common, yet it’s not entirely true. Genuine confidence has a quiet foundation of humility - it’s secure, self-assured, and doesn’t need to overshadow or outshine others. Arrogance, on the other hand, thrives on comparison and often involves trying to prove one’s superiority.” Interestingly, the Dunning-Kruger effect sheds some light on this confusion, notes the psychologist. “People with limited knowledge or experience might overestimate their abilities and come across as overconfident, even when they lack depth. Meanwhile, those who are truly skilled often carry a blend of confidence and humility because they’re aware of what they don’t know. This self-awareness can make genuine confidence harder to recognise at first glance.” What to do To ensure they are not misperceived, Baruah says, one can: Practise humility: Acknowledge others’ contributions and strengths. Listen actively: Show genuine interest in others’ perspectives and avoid dominating conversations. Balance confidence with empathy: Express self-belief without dismissing others' viewpoints or experiences. Seek feedback: Ask trusted people if you come across as approachable and respectful. These practices can help maintain a confident yet grounded presence, reducing the chances of being misinterpreted as arrogant.
