Shah Rukh Khan has finally won his first-ever National Film Award for Best Actor for Jawan. But even as celebrations pour in, a past moment continues to resurface—a missed opportunity from 2004. That year, SRK starred in Swades, widely considered one of his finest performances. Yet, the National Award went to Saif Ali Khan for Hum Tum.
Now, an old video of Shah Rukh jokingly admitting he thought he deserved the honour is going viral. Fans too have reignited the debate, claiming Swades was more award-worthy.
While SRK shares his recent win with Vikrant Massey (12th Fail), the shadow of Swades still lingers in the minds of many.
The Viral Clip That Brought It All Back
A video clip from a 2000s event recently resurfaced online. It features SRK with filmmaker Kunal Kohli and actor-host Mandira Bedi. When asked about Kohli’s work, Shah Rukh praised Fanaa and Hum Tum but quickly added, “His actor won the National Award for Hum Tum when I think I should have got it, but that’s another story.”
The remark drew laughter but carried a deeper truth. It echoed what many fans have believed for years—that SRK’s performance in Swades was a career-defining act that deserved the top honour.
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Fans Defend Swades and Call Out the 2004 Snub
The internet didn’t hold back. Comments flooded Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), with fans supporting SRK’s implied sentiment. One user wrote, “Hum Tum was good, but National Award-worthy? No.” Another added, “Swades deserved it. That performance had depth and heart.”
Some even speculated that if Swades had won, SRK might have chosen similar scripts more often. One post read, “Maybe it would’ve made him do another Swades-like film. But the box office failure probably shut that path.”
Why Swades Still Resonates
Ashutosh Gowariker’s film Swades is still a favorite because of its emotional heart and realistic story. It represented a change from SRK’s usual roles. Both audiences and critics responded well to his portrayal of an NRI scientist returning to India. However, the movie did poorly at the box office, which may be why it didn’t win any significant prizes at the time.
But over the years, Swades has gained cult status. Many now see it as one of Indian cinema’s most underrated gems.
What SRK’s Win Means for Meaningful Cinema?
Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan is a commercial blockbuster, but it also carried a strong socio-political message. Paired with Vikrant Massey’s 12th Fail, this year’s National Awards honoured both mass appeal and grounded storytelling.
SRK’s long-overdue recognition could now inspire him—and others—to blend substance with stardom more often. The Swades moment may have passed, but its spirit could be very much alive in what comes next.
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A Win Long Awaited, A Loss Still Felt
Even though Shah Rukh Khan has finally received his National Award, many fans still feel hurt by Swades’ exclusion. His latest victory, though, gives hope that strong, message-driven performances will be given credit. Recognition is important, even if it comes late. And Swades already won a long time ago in the hearts of the supporters.
