Raj, Rahul, Don and beyond: Shah Rukh Khan’s most stylish cinematic portrayals

There are movie stars, and then there’s Shah Rukh Khan, a man who didn’t just rule the box office, but also quietly rewrote how Indian men dress, love, and express themselves. On his 60th birthday, as fans from Mumbai to Morocco celebrate the King of Romance, it feels only fitting to revisit the five most stylish avatars that made SRK not just the Badshah of Bollywood, but also an unexpected style icon for generations of Indian men.

From Raj’s boy-next-door sweaters to Don’s lethal black-on-black finesse, SRK’s cinematic wardrobe told its own love story, one stitched with confidence, charm, and charisma that only he could carry. Here’s an ode to the man whose reel-life fashion became real-life inspiration.

When DDLJ released, Shah Rukh Khan gave Indian men something new to aspire to, the effortless romantic look. Raj Malhotra wasn’t overdressed or intimidating; he was relatable yet aspirational. Think leather jackets over T-shirts, baggy denim, and that now-iconic brown backpack slung over one shoulder.

It was the first time Indian audiences saw Western fashion blended so seamlessly with Indian charm. Raj made it cool to wear bomber jackets in mustard fields and aviator sunglasses on European train rides. That casual, travel-ready style became the template for every ‘cool guy in love’ for the next decade. Even today, you’ll spot traces of Raj’s charm in every Bollywood hero who pairs sneakers with emotions.

“Pyaar dosti hai” and apparently, it’s also style. SRK’s Rahul Khanna in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai turned college wear into couture long before “athleisure” became a global trend. His colour-block sweatshirts, Nike headbands, and that unforgettable ‘Cool’ chain were the 90s’ ultimate fashion flex.

SRK made basketball courts look like runways. He showed that confidence was the real accessory, you could be sporty and suave at once. Every guy wanted to own a sweatshirt like Rahul’s, and every girl wanted to be Anjali running in slow motion across the campus. His wardrobe was pure nostalgia - playful, youthful, and quietly rebellious.

What Rahul proved was that fashion isn’t about labels; it’s about attitude, a lesson Indian men subconsciously absorbed, one hoodie at a time.

Then came Devdas, where SRK transformed from the playful lover to the tragic aristocrat draped in silks, bandhgalas, and heartbreak. Designer Neeta Lulla’s styling gave us an unforgettable blend of opulence and restraint.

From rich brocade kurtas to deep maroon shawls, every look reflected the grandeur of Bengal’s zamindari era. SRK’s Devdas wasn’t just heartbroken - he was heartbreak, personified in couture.

The film’s fashion revived traditional menswear, showing a whole generation of Indian men that heritage can be handsome. After Devdas, the bandhgala kurta, dhoti and dupatta drape became wedding staples, and every groom secretly wanted a bit of that brooding Dev energy in their trousseau.

If Devdas was elegance, Don was dominance. When SRK reprised Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic role in 2006, he redefined what power dressing looked like for the modern Indian man.

Gone were the soft knits and romantic sweaters. In came tailored black suits, trench coats, and dark sunglasses that screamed control. SRK’s Don didn’t just enter a room; he owned it. His monochrome palette, slicked-back hair, and sharp lines made corporate fashion suddenly cinematic.

That era saw men swapping oversized shirts for well-fitted jackets, and trench coats became shorthand for mystery and sophistication. SRK made the international spy aesthetic accessible - suave, mysterious, and a little dangerous. He reminded everyone that confidence, when worn right, is the most expensive thing you can own.

And, his long-haired ganster look in Don 2 was something that's still remembered.

In Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, SRK’s Dev Saran was a far cry from his chocolate-boy past. Here was a man battling inner demons, dressed in grey trench coats, long scarves, and melancholic charm.

His look captured the mood of New York’s loneliness - understated, masculine, and emotionally layered. For perhaps the first time, Indian cinema saw a mature man using fashion to express vulnerability. His style had depth; it wasn’t about impressing anyone, it was about hiding pain in beautiful fabric.

SRK’s long coats, muted tones, and textured layers made winter fashion aspirational for Indian men, suddenly, everyone wanted that “Dev Saran look” for their holiday in London or New York. It was poetic masculinity, stitched in Burberry hues.

What makes Shah Rukh Khan’s fashion journey remarkable is that it was never calculated. He didn’t chase trends, he created them by just being. His characters mirrored every phase of Indian manhood, the lover, the dreamer, the rebel, the gentleman. And with every role, he changed how men perceived style itself.

From the casual charm of Raj to the emotional gravitas of Dev Saran, SRK showed that fashion isn’t about perfection, it’s about personality. His cinematic wardrobe was never about excess, it was about expressing moods. That’s what made him relatable, aspirational, and timeless all at once.

So, as SRK turns 60, this isn’t just a birthday tribute. It’s a thank you, for teaching Indian men that it’s okay to cry in a cashmere coat, fall in love in sneakers, or wear your heart (and style) on your sleeve. Because when it comes to style with soul, no one does it like the King.