From Dunki to Swades, Shah Rukh Khan movies that were rooted in love for the country

To say that Shah Rukh Khan is one of the biggest superstars of the country would be an understatement. The King Khan has had a dream run at the BO this year, starting off with Pathaan and Jawan. Over the years, the actor has tried his hands at various genres, right from action, romance to drama. As his latest release Dunki hits theatres today, let's delve into five instances where Shah Rukh Khan portrayed characters who, while not necessarily soldiers, embodied a unique and individual form of patriotism....

Rajkumar Hirani directs and edits a film produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Jio Studios, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, and Boman Irani. The storyline revolves around a group of Punjabi friends employing a clandestine method, known locally as 'donkey' to relocate to another country, only to encounter challenges in their attempt to return home. Despite rumors of a potential delay to 2024, Shah Rukh Khan affirmed the theatrical release of "Dunki" on 21 December 2023, earlier this year.

A Pakistani general enlists the services of a private terrorist organization to carry out attacks in India. Meanwhile, Pathaan, an undercover Indian secret agent, is tasked with creating a specialized unit to counteract the threats. Pathaan, a former RAW agent in exile, collaborates with ISI agent Rubina Mohsin to thwart Jim, a former RAW agent planning a devastating virus attack on India. Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, this high-octane thriller starred Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in lead roles.

Mohan, an engineer at NASA, USA, embarks on a journey to reconnect with his past, seeking out the nanny who played a pivotal role in raising him in his homeland. With the intention of bringing her back to America, his quest takes him deep into the rural heart of India, specifically to the village of Charanpur. This expedition becomes not only a physical journey but also an introspective one, prompting him to explore and discover where he truly belongs. The film features Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi, and Kishori Ballal in leading roles, with supporting performances by Daya Shankar Pandey, Rajesh Vivek, and Lekh Tandon.

In a tale of intense competition, Ajay Bakshi and Ria Banerji, TV reporters in fierce rivalry, put everything on the line to outshine each other. Their relentless pursuit of success takes an unexpected turn when they decide to join forces. United by a common cause, they collaborate to assist a man seeking justice for his daughter, who fell victim to sexual assault by a politician. Notably, this film served as the maiden production venture for Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, and Aziz Mirza through their production company Dreamz Unlimited, now known as Red Chillies Entertainment.

Kabir Khan, portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan, faces a significant setback after being held responsible for the Men's Hockey Team defeat due to his failure to score the winning goal. Consequently, he is dismissed from his position on charges of being 'anti-national'. In a twist of fate decades later, Kabir is presented with an opportunity to redeem himself when offered the position of the coach of the amateur and troubled Women's Hockey Team. The narrative unfolds as he strives to rebuild his tarnished reputation and lead a team that no one either takes seriously or has any hopes from.