Wanderlust with Shah Rukh Kahn
- Angel Martin
- May 8
- 4 min read
When those Met Gala interviewers didn’t recognize Shah Rukh Khan on the red carpet, the entire South Asian internet said: “Excuse me?!”And honestly, same. This man isn’t just a Bollywood icon—he’s an era, a passport stamp, a genre unto himself. The nerve of not knowing him? Wild. But instead of dragging them, I decided to channel that energy into love. Love for cinema, love for travel, and love for the King himself.
SRK didn’t just influence my taste in movies, and set an impossibly high standard for all men, he also he helped shape my travel wishlist. These five films didn’t just inspire costume changes and emotional damage—they made me want to see the world. From golden temples to ghost-filled palaces and that iconic yellow mustard field, this list is both a love letter to Shah Rukh Khan and a roadmap to some truly cinematic adventures.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
This is the one. The standard. The classic. The reason half of us dreamed of a Europe-to-India love story before we even had a passport. DDLJ gave us Raj, Simran, and the ultimate case for chasing your heart and your train.
It’s been nearly 30 years, and this film is still playing in Mumbai’s theaters. That’s not nostalgia—that’s legacy. And honestly, I can’t look at a mustard field without hearing “Tujhe Dekha Toh…” playing in the background and seeing SRK with his arms wide open like the softest villain to ever steal your heart.
The now-iconic mustard field scene was filmed in Gurgaon, and yes—it's officially on my Bollywood Bucket List. Because if Simran can run through it in slow motion, the least I can do is stroll through it dramatically in a lehenga and flats. Priorities.
Chennai Express (2013)
Look. Sometimes you just want to scatter your grandfather’s ashes and end up on a mildly criminal road trip with Deepika Padukone. Chennai Express is one of those SRK films that doesn’t take itself too seriously—and that’s exactly why I love it. It’s giving chaotic romance, temple chases, questionable decisions, and a lot of yelling in multiple languages.
The real star, though? That jaw-dropping view of Dudhsagar Falls, a place I didn’t get to see in person this trip—but it’s on the list.
Trust and believe, when I do make it there, I’m showing up in a flowy sari, yelling “Don’t underestimate the power of the common man!” like it’s a TED Talk. Because drama. Because cinema. Because SRK.
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)
Sometimes love isn’t loud—it’s just quietly standing beside you, holding your tiffin. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is one of SRK’s more understated roles, and the soundtrack? Whew. That soundtrack lives in my bones. “Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai” is one of my favorite songs of all time—not just from a movie, but ever. He’s literally telling her, I see God in you… how could I not love you? And he’s saying it silently, secretly, from the sidelines. That’s poetry. That’s devotion. That’s SRK.
Though I didn’t make it to the Golden Temple on my last trip, it’s firmly on my Bollywood Bucket List. The temple glows like divinity on screen, and in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, it holds that sacred stillness that matches the emotion of the film. When I do visit, best believe I’ll have that song queued up, full volume, soft tears.
Paheli (2005)
This one’s for the lovers of ghost stories, folklore, and vibes so rich you can practically smell the incense and sandalwood through the screen. In Paheli, SRK plays two roles: one, a painfully awkward husband who immediately dips on his wedding night; the other, a very charming ghost who falls in love with the bride and quite literally takes his place. No notes.
The whole thing plays out like a Rajasthani fairytale—with embroidered textiles, camel carts, and enough desert magic to make you rethink every modern romance you've ever seen. I didn't make it to Chand Baori or the Narain Niwas Palace this trip, but they’ve both officially been added to my Extended Bollywood Bucket List. Because sometimes, a woman deserves a palace, a poetic ghost, and a second chance at love.
Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017)
Look. I know Sejal had big “I want to speak to the manager” energy for half the movie… but she grows! And more importantly—this film gave us one of SRK’s most scenic roles and inspired my actual travel business. That’s right. I was this close to naming my agency “High Hopes Travel” after one of Sejal’s lines, and I still stand by that energy.
Jab Harry Met Sejal is peak “Bollywood goes on a Eurotrip” trope, and honestly, I ate it up. Between Amsterdam’s canals, Prague’s gardens, and those moody Lisbon alleyways, I was ready to book a one-way ticket and follow SRK through cobblestone streets on my own ring-hunt. I built a whole itinerary based on this movie—and while I may not have found a diamond ring along the way, I did find my calling. Now that’s what I call main character energy.
For those who are still catching up: Shah Rukh Khan has been holding down global stardom since before the Met Gala interns were born. And let's give grace where it's due...we aren't really the target demographic. For the lucky ones, he’s been our onscreen passport to love, laughter, and unforgettable locations for decades.
These films are more than entertainment—they’re cinematic invitations. They take us from Punjabi mustard fields to Portuguese coastlines and remind us that every trip can have a little drama, a little romance, and a lot of great music.
So whether you're chasing a train, a dream, or just your next great photo opp, I’m here to help you travel like it’s a Bollywood plot twist—with main character energy and luxury luggage to match.
Ready for your movie moment? Let’s roll credits on hesitation and cue your next adventure.
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