Producer Ratan Jain, who worked with Shah Rukh Khan on Baazigar and Baadshah, has revealed how the latter film gave the superstar an enduring identity. While Baazigar was the bigger box-office success, Jain says the title “Baadshah” and the iconic song “Baadshah O Baadshah” became so closely associated with Shah Rukh that audiences eventually embraced the moniker “Baadshah Khan.” Looking back, Jain also recalled how confidently Shah Rukh took on Baazigar at a time when several established actors had turned the role down.

How important was Baadshah for Shah Rukh Khan as he got the title Badshah after the film?

See, Baazigar was also a title for him. Then our second film with him was Baadshah. So Baadshah became an even bigger title for him because after that, many people called him “Baadshah Khan”; nobody called him “Baazigar Khan.” Even though Baazigar did better at the box office, Baadshah also ran. At that time it didn’t do as massive business, but its music was extremely good.

For Shah Rukh, that song became an instant identity, “Baadshah O Baadshah.” Recently, when his son’s series Ba***ds of Bollywood was released, Shah Rukh’s entry played to the song “Baadshah O Baadshah.”

Anyway, that song belongs to him, there’s no doubt about that. We had recorded that song keeping “Shah Rukh Khan as Baadshah” in mind. Back then he was a star, but not a huge superstar. After that, moving forward today, if a song like Baadshah happens with him, it would be a huge deal.

How much of a difference did Baadshah make? Did it establish Shah Rukh Khan as a very dependable star?

Shah Rukh was already dependable before that. Some of his great films had already released. Yash Chopra ji’s Mohabbatein, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, etc. Good films had already come out. Rakesh Roshan ji’s Karan Arjun, and many other films where his stardom was already established.

Actually, Baadshah got slightly delayed in release. At that time, I had two films going on simultaneously—Yes Boss and Baadshah—and both had shooting schedule clashes. Yes Boss finished very quickly. Then for Baadshah, our directors were Abbas-Mustan, so that film got dragged out a bit.

How was the Baadshah title chosen?

When the script was being written, it was written with “Baadshah” in mind. His name in the film wasn’t literally Baadshah; he was “Baadshah Bhai.” His comedian group in the first half used to call him “Baadshah Bhai.” Then in the second half, when we inserted the song “Baadshah O Baadshah,” it cemented the title—Shah Rukh Khan as Baadshah. Farah Khan choreographed that song as she used to choreograph most of his songs back then.

You were planning a film with Shah Rukh Khan sometime back. What happened to that?

I tried a lot, but Shah Rukh works so selectively now. Look, right now his film King will be released, and after that he will think about what to do next. Today’s Shah Rukh, age-wise and selection-wise, has become very different. With the Baadshah title, a film could still be made, but now that King is being made, Baadshah won’t happen.

So, now it seems difficult to me. But anything can happen anytime. I am on very good terms with him. We have discussed it several times. The conversation always stalls at the script. I haven’t found a script strong enough to present to him and say, “Let’s do this film.”

Do you remember the first time you met Shah Rukh for your film?

The first film I met him for was Baazigar. At that time, Shah Rukh didn’t have a major hit film released yet. I think his first major breakthrough film was Baazigar itself. Around the same time, Deewana also released.

Was Shah Rukh Khan hesitant to play that character in Baazigar?

No, not at all. He was very confident. He told me, “Only I can do this film better than others.”

Had you thought of other actors before Shah Rukh did Baazigar?

Yeah, I thought of a few actors because Shah Rukh came to my mind when I saw some rushes of the film Deewana. We also had the music rights for Deewana. The producer showed me the rushes, and I felt, “This man is perfect for my film.”

Where did you meet him first?

I met him first at the Sea Rock Hotel opposite Taj Lands End in Mumbai. He was near the swimming pool. We sat there, I gave him a brief idea, and he understood immediately what we were trying to do. He said, “I’ll do it.”

Who had you offered it to before him?

There were many people, and everyone had rejected it. Anil Kapoor… Boney Kapoor ji said he plays the sweetest boy roles in the South and wouldn’t do a villain’s role. I explained he wasn’t a pure villain, though it was a negative role. Then I spoke to Salman Khan as well, but Salim Khan Sahab said no, he wouldn’t do it.Salim Sahab even told me, “You are my friend, so I advise you not to make such a movie; it won’t work.” But Shah Rukh performed it so well! Not everyone could have done it. Anyone else in his place wouldn’t have been able to pull off what Shah Rukh did. What he doesn’t want to do, he won’t do. But what he decides to do, he does with 200% dedication. His confidence, his eyes, his dialogue delivery, everything is amazing.

What else is being planned?

I am working on several things. Whatever gets finalized… casting is a huge hassle these days. Even actors who don’t draw crowds refuse scripts.