Archive · 2 Nov 2025
Shah Rukh Khan's Little-Known Short Film 'Mahaan Karz' Before Bollywood Stardom
Before he became a huge movie star, Shah Rukh Khan, who was 25 at the time, acted in a small movie called Mahaan Karz.
It was made in 1991 for a holiday called Easter.
The story is about a young man who gets into trouble with money because he gambles.
The director wanted Shah Rukh Khan for the role, even though he was already becoming famous from TV shows.
Shah Rukh Khan agreed to do it quickly, even working for free at first, and only took a small payment.
This movie wasn't widely known until it was put on YouTube in 2016 and became popular online.
It's based on a story from the Bible.
Shah Rukh Khan starred in the short film 'Mahaan Karz' in 1991, a year before his 1992 Bollywood debut.
The film was made for Easter and based on a Bible fable about a son who incurs debt through gambling.
Director Dinesh Lakhanpal approached Shah Rukh Khan, who rearranged his schedule to take on the role.
Khan initially offered to work for free but eventually accepted a payment of Rs 3,000.
'Mahaan Karz' gained attention when it was uploaded to YouTube in 2016 and went viral.
- Who
- Shah Rukh Khan, Director Dinesh Lakhanpal, actors R.K. Mala and Vimla Thakur
- What
- A low-budget short film titled 'Mahaan Karz' made for Easter
- When
- 1991
- Where
- India (implied, as Shah Rukh Khan was in Bombay's film industry)
- Why
- Made for the occasion of Easter, based on a Bible fable about a treasurer's son who gets into debt through gambling.
- Film Title
- Mahaan Karz
- Year of Production
- 1991
- Director
- Dinesh Lakhanpal
- Actor
- Shah Rukh Khan
- Event
- Easter
- Shah Rukh Khan's Age
- 25