More than a decade after Shah Rukh Khan famously called himself "the last of the stars," actor Annu Kapoor has challenged that claim, questioning whether the superstar can remain relevant two decades from now.

Speaking to Hindi Rush, Kapoor said the "last superstar" is one the media has repeated across generations. He pointed out that similar claims were once made about Rajesh Khanna, but argued that very few entertainers have sustained their influence for as long as icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.

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Without directly naming Shah Rukh at first, Kapoor compared the actor's career span with Bachchan's longevity. "The actor you are referring to started around 1992. That's about 34 years. Amitabh Bachchan has had a career spanning over 53 years. Can Shah Rukh remain equally relevant for another 19 years? Will he still be relevant in 2045? I don't think so," he said.

However, Kapoor was quick to acknowledge Shah Rukh's global stature, adding that "nobody can take away the fact that Shah Rukh Khan is the second-richest actor in the world."

The veteran actor also spoke about working with Shah Rukh in Yash Chopra's ‘Darr’. Initially saying they had never worked together, Kapoor later recalled that Shah Rukh was "extremely new" at the time and admitted he remembered little about their interactions. He added that people should instead ask Shah Rukh whether he remembered working with him or learning anything from him.

Despite disagreeing with the "last superstar" label, Kapoor praised Shah Rukh as a family man. He said he has heard the actor is a devoted father, husband and brother, adding that these qualities matter more than stardom because "superstars come and go."

Shah Rukh Khan made the "last of the stars" remark during a 2014 appearance on Anupam Kher's chat show ‘Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai’. The statement continues to fuel debate over what superstardom means in the streaming and social media era.