From Hoarding Painter to ₹5 Lakh Per Gig: The Incredible Journey of Shah Rukh Khan’s Top Lookalike Ibrahim Qadri

What if your face alone could change your destiny? That’s exactly what happened with Ibrahim Qadri from Junagadh, Gujarat — a man who once painted hoardings for ₹150-500 per job and struggled to afford two meals a day. Today, he is India’s highest-paid celebrity lookalike, charging up to ₹5 lakh per event thanks to his uncanny resemblance to none other than Shah Rukh Khan.

From Struggles to Spotlight

Ibrahim’s early life was tough. He earned pennies as a hoarding painter, and when digital printing replaced hand-painted signs, his income dropped even more. Friends often told him he looked like SRK, but he brushed it aside — until 2017 changed everything.

The IPL Moment That Changed His Life

At a Rajkot IPL match, Ibrahim got mobbed by fans who mistook him for Shah Rukh Khan. People screamed, cried, and pulled him from all sides. Police had to rescue him. That day he realised — his face wasn’t just resemblance, it was opportunity.

Becoming "SRK"

Instead of stopping at looks, Ibrahim studied Shah Rukh Khan like homework:

• Watched his films on repeat to learn his walk, talk, and charm

• Lost 10–12 kg to match his physique

• Copied his iconic outfits

• Mastered the famous SRK romantic arm-spread pose

But success wasn’t easy. Many times he wasn’t paid, and once someone mocked, “Sirf SRK jaisa dikhna kaafi nahi hai” (Just looking like SRK isn’t enough). That sting pushed him harder to become the full package.

From Local Artist to Global Performer

Today, Ibrahim is a star in his own right:

• 3.2M+ Instagram followers

• Featured in Vogue India (a rare feat for a lookalike)

• Performs at weddings, corporate shows, and private parties in India and abroad (Dubai, Malaysia, etc.)

• Charges anywhere between ₹1.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh per gig

He says proudly, “I believe I am the highest-paid doppelganger.”

Raising the Game for an Entire Industry

Ibrahim’s rise has uplifted other lookalikes too. Events he turns down go to them, and his premium fees have set new benchmarks in the celebrity impersonator business.

At the same time, he draws a line:

• He refuses comedy shows that may mock SRK.

• He avoids meeting SRK himself because, as he puts it, “Agar mil liya toh lagega manzil mil gayi” (If I meet him, I’ll feel like my journey is complete).
  

More Than Just a Copy

Ibrahim insists he’s not just an imitation. “I am not a copy, I am a creation.” On stage, he fully becomes SRK — his energy, his charm, his romance. The crowd doesn’t feel like they’re seeing Ibrahim; they feel like they’re seeing the King himself.

Fame Comes With Challenges

But fame isn’t always fun. He jokes about how shopkeepers charge him extra thinking he must be super rich because he “looks like Shah Rukh Khan.” In his words: “Mera faayda nahi hai, ulta nuksaan hai.”

A Bollywood-Style Success Story

From hunger and hoardings to jet-setting around the world, Ibrahim’s journey is pure filmi. His story proves that in today’s world of social media and live events, even a resemblance — if polished with dedication — can become a career.

He has redefined what it means to be a celebrity lookalike, showing that with passion and perseverance, you can turn destiny into stardom.

Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab! (FAQs)

Q1. How much does Shah Rukh Khan’s lookalike Ibrahim Qadri charge per event? 👉 He charges between ₹1.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh, depending on the event size and location.

Q2. Where is Ibrahim Qadri from? 👉 He hails from Junagadh, Gujarat, where he once painted hoardings to survive.

Q3. Has Ibrahim ever met Shah Rukh Khan? 👉 No. He has deliberately avoided meeting SRK, believing it would make him feel like his journey is over.

Q4. How did Ibrahim Qadri get famous? 👉 His turning point was during an IPL match in 2017, when fans mistook him for the real Shah Rukh Khan and mobbed him.

Q5. Does Ibrahim perform only in India? 👉 No. He has performed internationally, including shows in Dubai and Malaysia.