Shah Rukh Khan's Last Blockbuster Movie: 'Raees'

As of my knowledge cutoff in August 2023, Shah Rukh Khan's latest hit movie was 'Raees', released in January 2017. This film marked a significant comeback for Khan, who had taken a break from leading roles in the preceding years.

Summary of 'Raees'

Release Date: October 13, 2017

Language: Hindi

Director: Rahul Dholakia

Produced By: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, and Gauri Khan under AA Movies and Zee Studios Global.

Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Mahira Khan.

Music: Smash Sampath JAM8, Kalyanji-Anandji, and Slam Sampath.

Plot and Reception of 'Raees'

Telegraphed as a narrative about the underworld boss Raees, the film delves into the world of illicit liquor trade, a subject that remains controversial in India, particularly in Gujarat, a state with a long-standing ban. Despite the subject matter, director Rahul Dholakia does not delve deeply into the complexities of the issue, reducing Raees to a stereotypical villain.

As Raees invests his ill-gotten wealth in various morally deserving causes such as buying books for children and teaching secularism, the character's motives and actions are haphazardly handled, making his transformation into a hero less believable.

The film keeps Raees and Aasiya (played by Mahira Khan) in a sentimental relationship rushed in, with a primary goal of enabling the protagonist to indulge in fantasy sequences and action scenes. Shah Rukh Khan, known for his versatile acting, feels somewhat constrained by the one-note screenplay credited to Dholakia, Harit Mehta, Niraj Shukla, and Ashish Vashi. This results in minimal character development and an underwhelming performance from Khan.

Conclusion

Shah Rukh Khan: 'Raees' marked a return to form for Khan, but it did not provide the depth and complexity often expected from one of Bollywood's most accomplished actors. It served as a commercial success but a creative underachievement.

Future Outlook: While 'Raees' did well commercially, fans and critics agreed that Khan has the potential to deliver another blockbuster that fully utilizes his acting skills. Expectations are high for Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming projects.

Written and last updated: August 2023