Vikrant Massey and Shah Rukh Khan, both kickstarted their journeys on the small screen before storming the big leagues and clinching National Film Awards. Their inspiring paths from TV fame to the nation’s highest cinematic honors prove that humble beginnings can spark legendary success. Vikrant Massey and Shah Rukh Khan didn’t just transition from TV—they conquered it, turning early small-screen struggles into National Film Award triumphs that redefine perseverance.
The King of Bollywood started humbly, debuting as Lt. Abhimanyu Rai in Fauji (1989), a gritty army drama, before stealing hearts in Deewana (1992). Decades later, at the 71st National Awards, he won the Best Actor honor for his powerhouse role in Jawan (2023), his first National nod, proving timeless stardom.
Vikrant too kicked off his career with the youthful energy of Dhoom Machaao Dhoom in 2007 and a breakout turn as Shyam in Balika Vadhu, captivating millions. His leap to films shone in Lootera (2013), and with 12th Fail (2023) he won the National Award for Best Actor as IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma at the 71st National Film Award. Critics across the board hail him as one of the best actors of his generation.
This parallel path of TV grit to award glory deepened Vikrant’s longstanding fandom for SRK. An unseen photo from the 71st National Awards captures him kissing SRK’s hand in admiration during their celebration. Building on that warmth, at a recent event in Mumbai, Vikrant held SRK’s hands, kissed them, touched them to his eyes, and shared a hug, which became a viral moment of warmth. This respect adds magic to their parallel paths and their stories fuel dreams for every aspiring artist.
SRK will next be seen in King, a high-octane gangster action film set for December 24, 2026 release, directed by Siddharth Anand. Vikrant Massey stars in the international thriller biopic White, portraying spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.