In a recent and provocative interview, actor Vivek Oberoi offered a stark perspective on the fleeting nature of stardom, suggesting that the iconic status currently enjoyed by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan might be surprisingly ephemeral. Oberoi, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, stated his belief that by the year 2050, Shah Rukh Khan—a figure who has dominated Indian cinema for over 30 years—could potentially be relegated to a mere footnote in history, unknown to the younger generations.

The Inevitable March of Time in Cinema

Vivek Oberoi’s controversial remarks were rooted in the idea that cinematic relevance has an expiration date, regardless of an actor's current success or magnitude of fame. He argued that the industry, and the public memory that sustains it, moves on rapidly, often discarding even the most revered names over time.

Speaking to Pinkvilla, Oberoi posed a compelling rhetorical question to illustrate his point: “Which film, starring who worked in the 1960s, you ask anyone about that today, nobody cares. You will anyway be relegated to history.” He then applied this philosophy directly to the current generation’s biggest star. With a striking lack of hesitation, Oberoi ventured his prediction: “2050 mein log bolenge kaun Shah Rukh Khan, shayad (In 2050, people might ask, ‘Who is Shah Rukh Khan?’, perhaps.)”

This prediction challenges the widely held belief that Shah Rukh Khan, often dubbed "the last of the superstars," possesses an eternal legacy that transcends generations.

The Forgotten God: Raj Kapoor’s Precedent

To further underline his perspective, Oberoi drew a parallel with legendary filmmaker and actor Raj Kapoor, a figure considered a cinematic god by cinephiles and industry veterans. Oberoi argued that despite Raj Kapoor’s monumental contributions to cinema, the average young person today might not even recognize his name or work.

This comparison serves to highlight Oberoi’s core argument: if an artistic giant like Raj Kapoor can fade from the mainstream consciousness of the current generation, the same fate awaits even a star of Shah Rukh Khan’s stature. The speed of digital consumption and the continuous influx of new content mean that historical figures—no matter how famous in their prime—are rapidly replaced in the cultural lexicon. The world only cares about what is relevant now.

Legacy vs. Longevity: A Tough Truth?

Vivek Oberoi’s comments are less a personal attack on Shah Rukh Khan and more a philosophical observation on the harsh reality of fame in the modern era. While many critics and fans argue that Shah Rukh Khan's global impact, business empire, and enduring blockbusters will ensure his longevity, Oberoi is pointing to the inherent entropy of cultural memory.

His assertion forces a challenging contemplation: Does a star’s legacy truly last forever, or is it perpetually dependent on the collective will of each succeeding generation to actively remember and revisit their work? For Oberoi, the sheer volume of new content guarantees that only a select, tiny fraction of cultural history can survive the deluge. Shah Rukh Khan’s challenge, according to this view, is not to remain a star today, but to avoid becoming a forgotten name in the history books of tomorrow.
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