Did you know Shah Rukh Khan almost played the infamous ‘Alauddin Khilji’ in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic, Padmaavat? In 2018, rumours swirled that SRK was initially offered the role, but he reportedly stepped back after suggesting a title change. According to reports he felt his fans might not embrace a film named after the female lead.
A Fan Theory Unravels the Real Reason
But now, a fan theory has surfaced, offering a fresh take on why the King Khan might have let this role slip through his fingers. Intrigued? Let’s dive into the drama behind the scenes!

The theory came from a tweet by @thoughtsofshah, who shared an old interview video of SRK with film critic Anupama Chopra. The tweet was captioned “the real reason,” suggesting it might explain why SRK passed on the role.
SRK’s Thoughts on Playing Unlikable Characters
In the interview, Anupama Chopra asked SRK if playing characters like the bootlegger in Raees had an impact on him. SRK explained that he had once agreed to play real-life characters in movies but realized that he couldn’t make them likable if they shouldn’t be. To avoid glorifying such figures, he decided to back out of those roles at the last moment.

The Fan Reaction and Connections to Padmaavat
Although SRK didn’t directly mention Padmaavat in the interview, the fan’s theory sparked reactions, with many drawing connections. One user commented, “He explained his reason so perfectly,” while another said, “That’s why we loved him as Don.”
The Mystery Behind SRK’s Decision
Although the interview is from 2017, a year before Padmaavat was released, and the true reason behind SRK’s decision to turn down the film remains unclear, one thing is certain—his enigmatic persona and thoughtful choices continue to keep his fans intrigued.