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Last Updated: March 31, 2025, 14:20 IST
Shah Rukh Khan acquired the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008.
Shah Rukh Khan is the co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, alongside Juhi Chawla.
In 2008, Shah Rukh Khan expressed his excitement over the acquisition of the Kolkata Knight Riders, an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise. His initial hopes were set high for immediate success, but the team’s early performance was less than stellar. Over the years, KKR has since secured three IPL championships, yet Khan has navigated numerous emotional ups and downs throughout this journey. A significant exploration of these challenges was captured in the 2014 documentary, *Living with KKR*, where he candidly reflected on the unexpected experience of being booed by fans during matches—a stark contrast to his typical reception as a beloved movie star.
Within the documentary, Khan elaborated on his motivations for entering the IPL, stating that it was never about personal accolades. He articulated how he perceived the experience to have introduced negativity into his life, mentioning how he had been unaccustomed to the feeling of being booed. “I have never wanted to be a part of IPL for personal success. As a matter of fact, I think, maybe, it lends to negatives in my career. I had never been booed in a stadium. I can walk into a crowd of a lakh people, sling a guitar around my neck and people would cheer me on. Sometimes, I go to stadiums here where I am booed and I think, is this the same country where I am a big movie star?” he reflected, revealing his deep emotional connection to his public persona.
Joy Bhattacharjya, who served as the Team Director during those formative years, recalled a particular match in 2008 between KKR and the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium that profoundly affected Khan. He noted that it wasn’t just the loss that troubled Khan but the reaction from the city he had embraced as his own for two decades. “He wasn’t devastated because we lost, but because of the way the city he had adopted, and been a part of for 20 years, the way they booed him,” Bhattacharjya reflected, highlighting the personal investment Khan had in the franchise.
Shah Rukh Khan’s journey as co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders commenced in 2008. Although the team faced challenges initially, it achieved remarkable success with IPL titles won in 2012, 2014, and 2024. Khan’s association with KKR undeniably added an element of glamour to the franchise, but this journey was not without its obstacles, including a brief ban following an incident at Wankhede Stadium in 2012. Despite these challenges, KKR has established itself as one of the most successful teams in the history of the IPL, cementing Khan’s enduring commitment to the sport and its community.
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