Shah Rukh Khan’s performance in Zero continues to draw criticism years after the film’s release. Actor and writer Lilliput, who has often spoken about the portrayal of dwarfism in cinema, recently shared his thoughts in a podcast. He felt SRK’s role in Zero lacked authenticity and even compared it unfavourably to Kamal Haasan’s work in Appu Raja.
“Camera tricks can’t replace realism”
In a recent podcast appearance, Lilliput criticised the portrayal of dwarfism in films by non-dwarf actors, calling it inauthentic. He pointed out that unlike conditions such as blindness, which can be mimicked through performance, dwarfism doesn’t require behavioural imitation—since individuals with dwarfism express themselves like anyone else. According to him, using camera tricks to shrink an actor physically doesn’t translate into a convincing or respectful portrayal.
SRK’s stardom got in the way
He further criticised SRK’s portrayal in Zero, saying that SRK’s superstar image overshadowed the authenticity of the character with dwarfism. He felt the audience couldn’t see a genuine portrayal, as SRK still appeared as a hero made to look smaller using visual effects. He also questioned the film’s intent and message, suggesting that the script lacked clarity in its representation.Lilliput drew a comparison between Kamal Haasan’s Appu Raja and Shah Rukh’s Zero, praising Kamal for thoughtfully incorporating the physical nuances of a person with dwarfism into his performance. He felt Kamal’s portrayal reflected a deep understanding of the character’s physicality—like shorter, thicker fingers and distinct body proportions—while suggesting that Shah Rukh lacked similar preparation. Lilliput questioned the purpose of attempting such a role without delivering an impactful or convincing performance.
“SRK tried to copy Kamal, but fell short”
Lilliput went on to compare the acting calibre of SRK and Kamal Haasan, stating that SRK appeared to imitate Kamal’s approach but lacked the depth and skill to match it. He bluntly remarked that Shah Rukh wasn’t even close to the level of Kamal’s craft, let alone capable of replicating his iconic performance.Shah Rukh Khan recently bagged the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Jawan, directed by Atlee. He shares the honour with Vikrant Massey, who earned the award for his acclaimed role in 12th Fail.
