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.
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.
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.
