Shah Rukh Khan's dream job as a kid was not acting: 'Wanted to be an army officer but…'

Once, the biggest superstar of Bollywood didn’t want to be an actor! In an old interview, Shah Rukh Khan revealed that his childhood aspiration was to join the army. In a candid chat with Rajiv Shukla, he revealed, “I wanted to be an army officer. However, at the army school, I was told I had to cut my hair, and I refused.”

Shah Rukh Khan’s first step into the world of acting came in 1989 with the television series Fauji, a show that became an instant hit for its realistic portrayal of life in the Indian Army. The series delved deep into the rigorous training regimen of a commando unit, capturing both the discipline and camaraderie that define a soldier’s journey. It followed a group of young recruits as they underwent intense training to earn the title of commandos, highlighting the physical exhaustion, emotional endurance, and strict hierarchy of military life. The show portrayed their everyday challenges—from grueling drills and punishing routines to mischievous pranks and the stern discipline enforced by their superiors.

Interestingly, Fauji was not initially designed to make Shah Rukh Khan its central figure. The original storyline positioned actor Rakesh Sharma, who portrayed Vikram Rai, as the protagonist. Khan’s character, Abhimanyu Rai—inspired by Colonel Sanjoy Banerjee of the Bengal Sappers in the Indian Army—was originally written as a supporting role.

However, fate intervened when the series’ creator and director, Lt. Col. Raj Kumar Kapoor, noticed something extraordinary about Khan’s on-screen presence. He later revealed that the camera seemed to “adore” Khan, capturing a rare intensity and charm that stood out effortlessly. Impressed by this natural charisma, the production team restructured the narrative to elevate Khan’s role, transforming Abhimanyu Rai into the heart of the series.

Years later, Shah Rukh Khan returned to don the army uniform once again—this time on the big screen—in Main Hoon Na (2004). Directed by Farah Khan, the film showcased him as Major Ram Prasad Sharma, an Indian Army officer tasked with a dual mission: to protect a general’s daughter from a vengeful rogue soldier while simultaneously reuniting with his estranged family. The movie blended action, emotion, and comedy, presenting a story that balanced patriotic fervor with personal redemption.

Released on April 30, 2004, Main Hoon Na opened to widespread acclaim, with critics praising its slick direction, engaging storyline, and Khan’s compelling performance. The film struck a chord with audiences across the nation, eventually earning ₹84 crore at the box office. Its phenomenal run made it the second-highest-grossing Indian film of the year, trailing only behind another Shah Rukh Khan blockbuster—Veer-Zaara. With both roles, on television and in cinema, SRK’s portrayals of military men became milestones in his journey from a young Delhi boy with dreams to the “King of Bollywood.”