Bollywood star ‘too short for Bond, but could play the villain’
After a blockbuster year with three record Bollywood box office successes under his belt, Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan says his burning ambition to make a global hit is as strong as ever.
At the World Governments Summit in Dubai – a city he calls a second home – he criticised Hollywood for failing to offer him any notable roles in his 33-year career.
Since passing up the opportunity to play the quiz show host in Danny Boyle’s 2008 hit Slumdog Millionaire, Khan, 58, said he received few offers of work in US or UK cinema.
While one of the biggest roles of all – the next James Bond – may be out of his reach, he suggested he might be suitable for a more villainous character.
“I really wanted to [be the next James Bond], but I think I’m too short,” said Khan, who is 1.69 metres tall.
“But of course, as a baddie – I’m brown enough.”
After a series of box office flops and a four-year break from the industry, Khan enjoyed a resurgent 2023. He starred in three films in 12 months – Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki – that took $330 million at the box office, outting him back in mainstream focus.
“I’ve said this honestly, but nobody believes it – nobody’s ever offered me any crossover work of substance,” Khan said.
“I had conversations with people from the English and American film industries, but nobody’s offered me any good work.
“Yes, Slumdog was there and I spent a lot of time with Mr Boyle. He’s very sweet. But I was doing Who Wants to Be a
Millionaire? on television successfully at that time.
“In the [Slumdog] story that was being told, the guy who was hosting was very mean, he was cheating and dishonest. I found that strange, so I explained to Mr Boyle that I wouldn’t like to do it.”
Khan remains undaunted, putting his drive down to tough early lessons in life.
“Perseverance happens to some people,” he said.
“I lost my parents very early and then you realise there’s no rewinding or coming back from death. You have to continue to make the most of what you have.”
Such is his gravitas, this week his office had to deny rumours he was involved in talks to secure the release of former Indian Navy personnel held in Qatar on spying charges.
He was trending on X on Monday, as the eight veterans were freed after Indian intervention.
He aims to keep working for three more decades. “I want to end my career by making that film that is loved by the whole world. Then nobody will ask why I haven’t I crossed over into Hollywood,” he said.