World Government Summit 2024: Shah Rukh Khan is the only Indian after PM Modi to be invited in Dubai

Shah Rukh Khan recently attended the World Government Summit 2024 in Dubai. During the event, he opened up about his plans to work in Hollywood while also confirming that Danny Boyle offered him the role of the host in the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.

Admitting that he rejected the role which eventually went to Anil Kapoor, the actor revealed the real reason behind the same. The actor noted that he was hosting Who Wants to be a Millionaire aka Kaun Banega Crorepati in India at the time when Danny Boyle offered him the role.

When asked about his rumoured international projects like a crime movie from Martin Scorsese alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and why he has not signed a Hollywood film yet, Shah Rukh responded, “I’ve said this honestly, but nobody believes me. Nobody has offered me any crossover work of substance. I may have had conversations with people. I know lots of lovely people from the West, from the English film industry, from the American film industry, but nobody has offered me any work. I hear actors talk about wanting to cross over, but I still have to learn to deliver to the audience that likes me, instead of spreading myself too thin. So, really, I’ve never been offered a film in Hollywood or England.”

Emphasising the reason why he opted out of Slumdog Millionaire, the Jawan actor continued, “Yes, Slumdog was there, and I spent a lot of time with Mr Boyle. He was very sweet. But I was doing Who Wants to be a Millionaire on television but I just felt that in the story being told, the guy who was hosting was very mean.” Adding that the producer of Kaun Banega Crorepati wanted him to do the film, the actor noted that the character, in the film, was cheating and being dishonest as the host, which he found strange. Heaping praises on Anil Kapoor, who later came on board to play the role, Shah Rukh added, “Mr Anil Kapoor did it, and he was fantastic as the host.”

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh was last seen in Dunki, released in December 2023. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film also featured Vicky Kaushal, Taapsee Pannu, Boman Irani, and Vikram Kocchar in pivotal roles.