‘If Shah Rukh Khan had not pushed me’: From selling detergent to Bad Man of Bollywood, Gulshan Grover credits SRK for his Hollywood career

Gulshan Grover, known as the Bad Man of Bollywood, has deliverd some of the memorable roles as a villain on the silver screen. While he started out selling detergent from door-to-door, his journey as an actor has been unique. Instead of playing the protagonist, he mostly played the role of the villain. But did you know that the actor has also acted in an English film. Not one or two, but quite a handful of them. And he credited Shah Rukh Khan for the "push".

Gulshan Grover was once working with Shah Rukh Khan on Aziz Mirza's Yes Boss which also starred Juhi Chawla, Aditya Pancholi, Kashmera Shah, Reema Lagoo and Johnny Lever. While shooting for the movie, Gulshan Grover received an offer to play the main antagonist in the English movie The Second Jungle Book: Mowgli and Baloo. He faced a difficult decision that would have cost him his debut international role. So, he approached Shah Rukh Khan for advice and he urged Grover to go. Looking back, Grover credits King Khan for his Hollywood opportunity.

How Shah Rukh Khan helped Gulshan Grover

Grover also recalled how he had reached the final stage of selection process for The Second Jungle Book: Mowgli and Baloo and needed to travel to Hollywood to sign the movie. He was worried that leaving Yes Boss midway may cause legal trouble or a pay cut. So, he approached Shah Rukh Khan and made him read the script.


According to Grover, Khan urged him to take the first flight to Hollywood rather than let the opportunity slip away. The superstar also reassured him that he would handle any problems arising from his departure, telling him to go ahead and make them proud.

Gulshan Grover was initially replaced

Shah Rukh Khan's co-star travelled to the USA, but Gulshan Grover was not guranteed till then. The actor recalled how there were initial concerns if he would fit the role, but after two days, the production team realised they wanted him and he was called back. At the Times Literature Festival 2021, he said, "I owe my Hollywood career to Shah Rukh Khan." He explained that Khan had given wings to his dreams and without the push to board that flight that night, his Hollywood journey might never have happened.

From selling detergent packets to becoming Bollywood's ‘Bad Man’

Long before international film offers came his way, Grover had to work to make ends meet. Reportedly, during his school years, the actor used to make ends meet by selling detergent packetts door to door. Despite academic excellence and securing admission in a prestigious college, he chose acting.

Gulshan Grover and Shah Rukh Khan's films together

Grover and Khan have shared screen space in several films, including Yes Boss, Duplicate and Ram Jaane. Meanwhile, following The Second Jungle Book: Mowgli & Baloo, Grover appeared in several other English-language films, including Air Panic, Beeper, Desperate Endeavors, Forbidden and The Man from Kathmandu. His career has spanned Indian and international productions, with his villainous roles remaining a defining part of his public image.