When Shah Rukh Khan acquired the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2008, he was full of excitement and high hopes. Like any passionate owner, he dreamed of immediate success for his team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, reality proved to be far more challenging, as KKR struggled in its initial years. Over time, the franchise turned its fortunes around, clinching IPL titles in 2012, 2014, and most recently in 2024. Yet, for SRK, the journey was as emotional as it was triumphant.
In the 2014 documentary Living with KKR, Shah Rukh opened up about the difficulties he faced, particularly the shocking experience of being booed at stadiums. For a superstar adored by millions, this was an unfamiliar and painful experience. He shared, “I have never wanted to be a part of IPL for personal success. As a matter of fact, I think, maybe, it lends to negatives in my career. I had never been booed in a stadium. I can walk into a crowd of a lakh people, sling a guitar around my neck and people would cheer me on. Sometimes, I go to stadiums here where I am booed and I think is this the same country where I am a big movie star?”
Joy Bhattacharjya, who was KKR’s Team Director in 2008, recalled one such distressing moment. He spoke about a match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, where Shah Rukh was jeered by the crowd. “He wasn’t devastated because we lost, but because of the way the city he had adopted, and been a part of for 20 years, the way they booed him,” Joy recounted.
Despite facing emotional setbacks and even a ban from Wankhede Stadium in 2012 due to an altercation, SRK never wavered in his commitment to KKR. His star power and relentless support played a significant role in shaping the team’s identity, turning KKR into one of the most successful franchises in IPL history. The journey from disappointment to glory has been long, but today, KKR stands tall with three IPL trophies, proving that perseverance and passion can overcome even the toughest challenges.
