Shah Rukh Khan, the "King of Bollywood," began his journey to superstardom not on the silver screen, but on television in the late 1980s. While many know him for iconic films like 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' and 'Devdas', his early acting days saw him in several TV series. Beyond "Fauji" and "Circus," here's a look at some of the other television shows that featured the actor.
Khan's first starring role was slated to be in Lekh Tandon's "Dil Dariya," which commenced shooting in 1988. However, due to production delays, Raj Kumar Kapoor's "Fauji," which aired in 1989, became his television debut. In "Fauji," Khan played the lead role of Abhimanyu Rai, a young and mischievous army recruit undergoing commando training. The show, directed by Lt. Col. Raj Kumar Kapoor, offered a realistic portrayal of army life, showcasing the physical and mental challenges, camaraderie, and sacrifices of young soldiers. Originally, Rakesh Sharma was intended to be the main character, but Khan's charisma led to a change in the script, elevating him to the lead. "Fauji" comprised 13 episodes, each 24 minutes long, and also starred Vijay Mathur, Rakesh Sharma, Mazhar Khan, and Vikrant Kapoor. The series gained cult status and is still remembered for its themes of army life, camaraderie, and patriotism. Doordarshan has re-aired the show after a 36-year gap and is planning to launch a sequel, "Fauji 2".
Following "Fauji," Khan appeared in Aziz Mirza's "Circus" (1989-90). Set in a circus troupe, the series was directed by Aziz Mirza and Kundan Shah and featured actors like Makarand Deshpande, Pavan Malhotra, and Ashutosh Gowariker. Khan played Shekharan Rai, who takes over the 'Apollo' circus after his father falls ill. The show explores the lives and struggles of the circus artists as Shekharan tries to make the circus profitable again. According to Renuka Shahane, Khan was content with being a TV star during this time and wasn't initially interested in films.
Another notable TV appearance was in Mani Kaul's miniseries "Idiot" (1992). He also played minor roles in "Umeed" (1989) and "Wagle Ki Duniya" (1988-90).
"Doosra Keval," a 1989 TV serial directed by Lekh Tandon, also starred Khan. The series tells the story of Keval, a village boy who goes to town and never returns. The story is narrated through the memories of his mother, sister, and the villagers. Khan dies while trying to stop his friend from becoming a terrorist. In the end, Keval's friend, also played by Shah Rukh Khan in a double role, visits his home and is accepted by his family as the second Keval. The cast included Arun Bali, Vineeta Malik, and Natasha Rana.
These early television roles paved the way for Khan's entry into Bollywood. Despite gaining fame, Shah Rukh wasn't initially interested in acting in films. However, after his mother's death in 1991, he moved to Mumbai to pursue a film career. He made his film debut in "Deewana" (1992), which was a box office hit and launched his Bollywood career.
