Thu Oct 23 00:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text:

Headline: Chennai’s Enduring Love Affair with Shah Rukh Khan: From ‘Baazigar’ to National Award

Chennai, October 23, 2025 – As “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (DDLJ) celebrates its 30th anniversary, running strong at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the enduring connection between Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and the city of Chennai.

While a significant distance separates the two metropolises, Shah Rukh Khan’s celluloid journey has been deeply intertwined with Chennai’s cinematic landscape. This bond was recently reinforced by Khan’s first National Award for Best Actor, awarded for his performance in “Jawan,” directed by Chennai-based Atlee.

Rewind to 1993, and “Baazigar” ignited a frenzy in Madras (now Chennai), catapulting Khan to stardom. His subsequent roles, often portraying characters with shades of grey in films like “Darr,” were met with enthusiastic cheers, challenging conventional hero archetypes.

Back then, observers noted similarities between Shah Rukh’s rise and the evolution of Tamil cinema icons like Rajinikanth and Sathyaraj, who transitioned from anti-heroes to leading men. This resonated with Chennai audiences, who appreciated the nuance and depth in Khan’s performances.

Prior to Khan’s arrival, Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff had also found success in the southern market, and their moustached looks were rumoured to have found favour with local tastes. Though Shah Rukh, along with Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, bucked the moustache trend, it didn’t hinder his popularity. He managed to captivate audiences as he evolved from a stalker to the quintessential romantic hero.

Aamir Khan, too, experienced success in Chennai with “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” in 1988, drawing large crowds. The ‘Shah Rukh fever’ led to corporate bulk bookings for employees, similar to the phenomenon seen with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan’s films.

When “DDLJ” premiered in Madras, the crowds flocked to theatres, greeting Shah Rukh with the same fervour usually reserved for local stars. The climax, with Kajol’s iconic run towards him, was met with rapturous delight. This deep connection ultimately led to the inevitable: “Chennai Express”.

Even as Chennai evolves, Shah Rukh Khan continues to captivate audiences, cementing his place in the hearts of moviegoers who have embraced him in all his multifaceted roles.

Read More