3 Years of Pathaan: The Beginning of Shah Rukh Khan 2.0 and Defining Moment For Bollywood

Mumbai, January 24 - It has been three years since superstar Shah Rukh Khan's spy action thriller Pathaan hit the big screens on January 25. Released at a time when the Hindi film industry was struggling and in recovery phase post-pandemic, Pathaan emerged as a game-changer, reviving audience confidence, and reigniting box office momentum.

The film's success also marked a turning point in Shah Rukh Khan's career. After the failure of Zero (2018), the superstar took a back seat to reassess his choices and rethink his strategy before returning to the silver screen. His comeback was further delayed by the unprecedented global health crisis, COVID-19, which extended his absence and growing anticipation around his return.

When cinemas reopened and normalcy returned, SRK mania swept the nation with Pathaan. The Siddharth Anand-directed action spectacle proved to be the resurgence of an icon of Indian cinema, presenting the actor in a larger-than-life avatar that connected strongly with mass audiences.

The film grossed over 1000 crore at the worldwide box office, becoming the first Bollywood movie ever (without China) to cross the historic four-figure mark. More than just a blockbuster, Pathaan proved to be the beginning of Shah Rukh Khan 2.0, which aligned the superstar with the evolving tastes of the audience.

Following on the historic success of YRF's production, Shah Rukh Khan delivered an even bigger blockbuster with Atlee's Jawan, underlining his unmatched star power. He then rounded off an extraordinary 2023 with Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki, a comedy-drama that did good business and showcased a different shade of his stardom.

Three years on, Pathaan remains one of the most defining moments in recent Bollywood history. It stands tall not only as a milestone in King Khan's career but as the film that changed the fortunes of Bollywood, firmly re-establishing the Hindi film industry as the driving force of Indian cinema.

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