In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through Bollywood circles, actor Vivek Oberoi has predicted that megastar Shah Rukh Khan might become irrelevant to future generations by the year 2050. The controversial statement was made during a recent interview where Oberoi discussed the transient nature of fame and stardom in the film industry.
The Transient Nature of Stardom
Vivek Oberoi, known for his candid opinions, expressed that even the biggest stars eventually fade into obscurity with time. "Which film, starring who worked in the 1960s, you ask anyone about that today, nobody cares. You will anyway be relegated to history," Oberoi stated during his conversation with Pinkvilla.
The actor specifically pointed toward the year 2050, suggesting that people might question "Kaun Shah Rukh Khan?" (Who is Shah Rukh Khan?) by that time. This bold prediction comes despite Shah Rukh Khan recently celebrating his 60th birthday and continuing to dominate the box office with record-breaking performances.
Raj Kapoor Comparison Highlights Generational Shift
Oberoi reinforced his argument by drawing parallels with legendary filmmaker-actor Raj Kapoor, who he described as "the god of cinema" for cinephiles. However, he noted that many contemporary young fans of Ranbir Kapoor might not even recognize his grandfather's contributions to Indian cinema.
"Like people today might ask, 'Who is Raj Kapoor?' You and I, we call him the god of cinema but if you ask any youngster who is a fan of Ranbir Kapoor, they might not even know who Raj Kapoor was. So maybe history relegates you into nothingness," Oberoi elaborated during the interview conducted in November 2025.
Shah Rukh Khan's Enduring Legacy
Despite Oberoi's predictions, Shah Rukh Khan remains one of the most successful actors in contemporary Indian cinema. The superstar has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning over three decades, with his recent films in 2023 - Pathan, Jawan, and Dunki - collectively grossing over Rs 2,600 crore worldwide.
SRK's upcoming film King, directed by Siddharth Anand, has already generated significant buzz with its teaser launching on the actor's 60th birthday. The project boasts an ensemble cast including Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Raghav Juyal, Arshad Warsi, and Abhishek Bachchan.
Adding to his diverse portfolio, Shah Rukh Khan recently made a special appearance in his son Aryan Khan's debut Netflix series The Ba***ds of Bollywood, where he portrayed a fictional version of himself while also serving as producer. The show featured cameos from several industry heavyweights including SS Rajamouli, Karan Johar, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Ranveer Singh.
Interestingly, Shah Rukh Khan himself has expressed contrasting views about his longevity in the industry. In previous statements, the actor claimed he would "live for 200-250 years" and remain a star for the next century, citing his belief in the manifestation mantra from his film Om Shanti Om.
This philosophical divide between Oberoi's prediction of fading relevance and Khan's confidence in enduring stardom highlights the ongoing debate about legacy and memory in the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema.
