DDLJ to Pathaan: A look at iconic train sequences in Shah Rukh Khan films

Shah Rukh Khan entered the film industry 32 years ago to be an action hero but he missed the boat and became a romantic hero instead. From making his first transition into a romantic action hero to action-packed movie ‘Pathaan’, he has always shown his passion for shooting on a train in captivating ways. So let’s look back at Shah Rukh's thirty-year relationship with trains:

'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (DDLJ): Released in 1995, 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', Shah Rukh played the character of Raj, who falls in love with Simran(Kajol). In the film, the train helped him to find his love. From his first encounter on the Eurorail to the iconic scene in the movie where Bauji (Amrish Puri- played Simran's father) finally realises Raj and Simran's (Kajol) love; Simran runs to catch the train and boards it after Raj extends his hand to help her get on to it.

‘Dil Se’: In Mani Ratnam's 'Dil Se', Shah Rukh went one step ahead for the iconic number 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' and climbed on top of a train to shoot the sequence. The song was a combination of Sukhwinder Singh's energetic voice, Shah Rukh's charm, Malaika's breathtaking dance moves and choreographer Farah Khan's decision to shoot the song on top of a moving train, which was what made the song a masterpiece.

‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’: In the movie, a scene where Rahul a.k.a SRk pleading to Anjali (Kajol) not to leave him as he pursued the train to Anjali letting her red dupatta fly off and land on Rahul's hand. This scene had a different fan base when the film was released. From cementing the trend of gifting friendship bands on Friendship day to SRK's 'cool' pendant and Anjali's bob-cut - the film set the pace for many new trends.

'Ra. One': Shah Rukh’s 'Ra. One' did not perform well at the box office but left the audience with many messages, especially about how good triumphs over evil. In SRK’s films, the actual train is used to shoot the sequences. A thrilling action scene where Shah Rukh does Spider-Man-like stunts and elicits cheers galore following his entrance into a Mumbai local train set. Ra. One might be viewed as Shah Rukh's gradual entry into the action genre.

'Chennai Express': The film revolves around a Tamil girl Meenamma who falls in love with a North Indian guy Rahul (played by Shah Rukh Khan), who boards the Chennai Express train from Mumbai carrying the ashes of his late grandfather, supposed to be immersed in Rameshwaram, while he intends to go to Goa instead.

‘Pathaan’: The most-loved Khans set the screen on fire with their action stunts in ‘Pathaan’. When ‘Pathaan’ (the character played by Shah Rukh Khan) was in danger, Tiger (Played by Salman Khan) extended his hands and saved him. The fans could not keep their calm watching the two stars on the big screen after four long years. In an exhilarating train sequence that is pleasantly self-reflexive, SRK fights hulking goons, runs on train tops and fires down helicopters.