Happy birthday Shah Rukh Khan: How a star was born in this 1991 short film

When a star is born, it’s light spreads through the entire universe. Maybe this is what happened when Bollywood’s biggest superstar, Shah Rukh Khan was taking his

Updated on: Nov 2, 2016, 09:03:51 IST

Hindustan Times | By Soumya Srivastava, New Delhi

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When a star is born, it’s light spreads through the entire universe. Maybe this is what happened when Bollywood’s biggest superstar, Shah Rukh Khan was taking his first steps into the world of movies and theatre. Why do we think so? Because we have found another proof for it.

A still from 1991 short movie Mahaan Karz. (YouTube)

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A 1991 short movie, Mahaan Karz, starring SRK gives us a glimpse of his latent potential that the world explored in coming years. The movie was an Easter special, preaching the importance of the sacrifices made by Jesus Christ for the sake of humanity. The movie itself doesn’t tell the story of Jesus directly but through a metaphor.

Here, Shah Rukh plays a young ‘kunwar’ who seeks employment at the castle of a great Maharaja. The king, impressed by his wit and charm, agrees to keep him as his treasurer. The young ‘kunwar’ manages to swiftly get into the good books of the king. However, he falls into the unforgiving clutches of gambling and loses all treasury in a game of ‘chausar’ with his friends. Overcome by guilt and the fear of losing his life at the hands of the Maharaja, he decides to end his life. What happens next? Watch the video:

This movie was made before any of his big hits like Deewana (1992), Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992) or even Baazigar (1993). Shah Rukh, though, had already done TV shows like Fauji and Circus. The description on the video on YouTube claims that SRK was paid only Rs 3,000 for the film.

After a slew of films like Chennai Express, Happy New Year, Dilwale and Fan, this short comes as a breath of freshness and pure 90’s nostalgia.

Shah Rukh is currently gearing up for Raees and Dear Zindagi.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soumya Srivastava
Soumya Srivastava is the Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor at Hindustan Times, bringing over a decade of experience covering movies, celebrities, pop culture, and everything that feels current and compelling. With a sharp editorial lens and an instinct for what resonates, she writes stories that balance insight with accessibility — whether she’s reporting from a red carpet, reviewing a buzzy new release, or unpacking the craft behind cinema. An unabashed Swiftie and a devoted admirer of Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking, Soumya blends heart and analysis in equal measure. She holds a degree in English Literature from Janki Devi Memorial College, Delhi University, and is an alumna of IIMC Dhenkanal (2013). As a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Film Critic, her reviews reflect credibility, cultural awareness, and a nuanced understanding of storytelling across genres and formats. She has interviewed celebrities like Celine Song, Zoya Akhtar, Kajol, Shabana Azmi, Pankaj Tripathi and more. She has also reviwes hundreds of movies and written thousands of stories, made videos, special columns and more. While films remain her first love, Soumya’s interests extend deeply into lifestyle and design. She is particularly drawn to décor, thoughtfully designed spaces, and the subtle ways aesthetics influence everyday living. From celebrity homes and interior trends to broader lifestyle movements, she enjoys exploring how personal taste intersects with identity and modern culture. Her voice is informed yet relatable, analytical yet warm — making her work engaging for a wide and diverse readership. Through her writing, Soumya continues to shape conversations around entertainment, lifestyle, and contemporary culture.Read More

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