Shah Rukh Khan birthday special: Films to watch on OTT, from DDLJ and Chak De! India to Dear Zindagi

New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan turns 61 today, November 2, and fans have plenty of ways to mark the day. One of the easiest is to revisit his films. His career has taken him from romance and sports drama to revenge thrillers and emotional dramas, and many of those titles are available on streaming platforms. Here are some of his top-rated films, with a note on what each one is about, the role he plays and where you can watch it.

Shah Rukh Khan films to watch on OTT

Swades (2004)

About the movie: Directed, written and produced by Ashutosh Gowariker, Swades: We, the People is a drama built around identity, civic responsibility and grassroots development. It did not do well at the box office on release, but it has since become a cult classic and is often described as a masterpiece of modern Indian cinema. Khan’s quiet, understated performance is among the most praised of his career.

SRK’s role: He plays Mohan Bhargava, a successful and wealthy NRI who works at NASA in Washington, DC, as a Project Manager on the Global Precipitation Measurement satellite programme.

Where to watch: Netflix India

Chak De! India (2007)

About the movie: This sports drama was directed by Shimit Amin and written by Jaideep Sahni. Aditya and Yash Chopra produced it under the Yash Raj Films banner, and it is widely celebrated.

SRK’s role: Khan is Kabir Khan, the former captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, who fell from grace. Years later, he returns as the coach of the Indian women’s national hockey team.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

About the movie: Known as DDLJ, this musical romance is a landmark film in Hindi cinema. Aditya Chopra made his directorial debut with it, and Yash Chopra produced it under Yash Raj Films.

SRK’s role: Khan plays Raj Malhotra, a carefree NRI from London who grows up after falling in love with Simran. Rather than elope, he travels to India to win over her traditional family. The mix of modern charm and traditional values made him India’s ultimate romantic hero.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

About the movie: Nikkhil Advani directed this romantic comedy-drama, which Karan Johar wrote and Yash Johar produced under Dharma Productions. The story follows a terminally ill man who quietly brings together the woman he loves and her best friend before he dies.

SRK’s role: Khan plays Aman Mathur, a lively and optimistic man who changes the lives of everyone around him.

Where to watch: Netflix India or Apple TV

My Name Is Khan (2010)

About the movie: Karan Johar directed this social drama, which Shibani Bathija and Niranjan Iyengar co-wrote. After a family tragedy, Rizwan, a Muslim man with Asperger’s, travels across America to meet the President and speak out against Islamophobia.

SRK’s role: Khan plays Rizwan, who fights Islamophobia to win back his love.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video or Google Play Store

Veer-Zaara (2004)

About the movie: Yash Chopra directed and produced this romantic drama, while Aditya Chopra handled the writing and production. An Indian pilot, Veer, falls in love with a Pakistani woman, Zaara, and spends 22 years in prison before a lawyer helps reunite them.

SRK’s role: Khan plays Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh, a brave Indian Air Force rescue pilot who is ready to sacrifice for others.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video or Netflix

Baazigar (1993)

About the movie: Abbas–Mustan directed this neo-noir crime thriller, a landmark film from 1993. Ajay Sharma takes on a false identity to bring down the family of businessman Madan Chopra, who ruined his parents’ lives.

SRK’s role: Khan plays a vengeful anti-hero who hides behind a fake identity to destroy his enemy.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video or YouTube

Dear Zindagi (2016)

About the movie: Gauri Shinde wrote and directed this coming-of-age drama. Red Chillies Entertainment, Dharma Productions and Hope Productions co-produced it. An insomniac cinematographer faces her childhood trauma and finds healing and self-love through unusual therapy sessions with a free-spirited psychologist.

SRK’s role: Khan is the unconventional, free-spirited psychologist who uses creative life lessons to help Kaira recover from emotional trauma.