When Dharmendra and Sunny Deol played a key role in shaping Shah Rukh Khan’s journey to stardom

Not many know that the very first film Shah Rukh Khan ever signed was ‘Dil Aashna Hai,’ directed by the legendary Hema Malini. The actress decided to cast SRK after an audition that was personally approved by Dharmendra. Interestingly, although ‘Dil Aashna Hai’ was the first film he signed, his debut release turned out to be ‘Deewana,’ produced by Guddu Dhanoa, who happens to be Dharmendra’s cousin. Just two years later, SRK delivered his first major blockbuster, ‘Darr,’ alongside

Sunny Deol

, completing a full circle of connections with the Deol family.

Hema Malini and Dharmendra’s approval

As per Mensxp, according to Hema Malini’s autobiography, ‘Dil Aashna Hai’ (1992) was among the first few films that SRK signed. Hema initially found his first audition “unsatisfactory,” but she saw potential in him. For the second round, she decided to change his hairstyle and wardrobe to make him look more cinematic. She also called Dharmendra to watch the new audition. Impressed by Shah Rukh’s intensity and confidence, Dharmendra immediately gave his approval, encouraging Hema to sign him for the film.

The week that changed everything

Once Hema Malini finalized Shah Rukh for ‘Dil Aashna Hai,’ word spread quickly across the film industry. Within a week, he was signed for four more films, including ‘King Uncle’ (1993), ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’ (1994), and ‘Deewana’ (1992). Fate, however, had its own plans. ‘Deewana’ was released first and instantly made Shah Rukh Khan a household name, while ‘Dil Aashna Hai’ unfortunately did not perform well at the box office.

The turning point: ‘Darr’

Although SRK was first seen in ‘Deewana,’ with his role in ‘Darr’ (1994), he became a full-fledged star. Playing a darkly complicated and obsessive lover to Sunny Deol and Juhi Chawla, Shah Rukh was universally lauded for his audacity in depicting a character who was explicitly negative. The film was his first genuine blockbuster, but it also represented an early ingenious risk to take on a negative role.

A connection that shaped a superstar

Shah Rukh Khan’s rise from ‘Dil Aashna Hai’ to become a full-fledged star is legitimately and deeply connected with the Deols. With early support from Dharmendra, a production by Guddu Dhanoa, and appearing in and co-starring with Sunny Deol in his first breakout film, the story of SRK’s rise combines any number of fascinating threads of this same theme. And while not enough attention is paid to this aspect of the story, it is perhaps one of the most interesting chapters in Bollywood history and a reminder of how destiny taps two stars into collision.