When Shah Rukh Khan almost burned himself for shooting an action sequence. But the film failed to set box-office on fire

‘ Koyla,’ the Shah Rukh Khan-Madhuri starrer, didn’t create magic at the box-office. However, the scene where SRK’s character Shankar is seen running across the railway tracks, his whole body aflame, remains iconic. In an old interview with Lehren Retro, director Rajesh Roshan gushed about Khan, praising his dedication towards making the scene appear realistic and calling him a “very daring actor.” He revealed that the superstar performed this high-risk stunt himself without relying on a body double.

He recalled that the actor gave the scene his all. He let his clothes burn as he ran relentlessly for the shot. Recalling the chilling scene, Roshan said, “When I saw him running, I got scared…”

SRK explained in the same interview, “I could run so fast because I was on fire. Literally.” However, he admitted that he did not emerge from the action sequence unscathed. “If someone asks me to do such a scene again, I won’t do it,” he said.

Released in 1997, Koyla tells the powerful story of Shankar, portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan, a loyal servant working under the ruthless Raja Ji, played by Amrish Puri. From a young age, Shankar endures immense suffering—he loses not only his parents under tragic circumstances but also his voice after being brutally silenced when someone forces burning coal into his mouth.

As the narrative unfolds, Shankar embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind his parents’ mysterious deaths and to confront the cruel figure responsible for his pain and muteness. The movie traces his transformation from a submissive servant into a courageous man seeking justice and vengeance against those who wronged him.

The title Koyla, which translates to “coal,” holds symbolic and literal meaning in the story. It reflects both the dark, fiery element that causes Shankar’s suffering and the setting of Raja Saheb’s empire, built around a coal mine. The name captures the essence of the film—a tale forged in betrayal, oppression, and revenge, set against the burning backdrop of greed and power.

Aside from Khan, the movie also starred Madhuri Dixit, Amrish Puri, and Johnny Lever in pivotal roles.