How Shah Rukh Khan lost his bet with Atlee over Jawan’s mass hero confusion

Shah Rukh Khan’s comeback to the big screen after a five-year break was a monumental success, with Pathaan grossing Rs. 1,055 crore and Jawan reaching Rs. 1,160 crore.

According to a report by Indian Express on Wednesday, in Jawan, Khan played dual roles: the father, Vikram Rathore, and the son, Azad. In a recent interview, director Atlee shared a bet he made with Khan about which character would become the audience’s favorite mass hero.

 

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Atlee believed Vikram Rathore would win over the masses, while Khan was confident that his younger character, Azad, would steal the show, especially with his female fans.

 

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Atlee recalled the moment when they discussed the characters: “I told him, ‘Vikram Rathore is going to become a mass character.’ He disagreed, saying ‘Azad will be the mass hero.’ We bet on it, and after seeing the film, Shah Rukh admitted, ‘Boss, you were right.’”

Vikram Rathore’s salt-and-pepper look and his introduction in the latter half of the film made a striking impression on fans. This character marked a significant shift for Khan, who has stated that with age, he now prefers taking on roles that reflect his years. “I am 58 now, and I feel I should do age-centric roles. Jawan was more of a commercial, in-your-face character,” he shared.