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Of Raj, Rahul Or Pathaan

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I watched Pathaan the day it released in spite of my mighty claims after watching Zero. The movie is a below average no-brainer, yet, I loved watching it for one reason alone. The sole reason why the movie is faring so well at the box office. One man. Three words. Shah Rukh Khan.

I was seven when I saw him on screen for the first time. A scrawny young bloke wearing the most hideous of eye gears atop a horse in the "Baazigar O Baazigar" song. This was the era of Doordarshan and the only outlet for some entertainment. I used to be glued to the episodes of Chitrahaar to get a glimpse of the song. Here was an average looking man with barely any dancing skills. Yet, there was one thing that was screaming out. Originality. He looked like a hard worker. He looked like someone who would give it all to make his way here. He did it and how!

What works the most for Shah Rukh Khan is the fact that he's Shah Rukh Khan. The Rajs, the Rahuls and Pathaans can come and ago. SRK will still remain. Will always remain. This man is clearly my first love and it has nothing to do with the way he looks or the characters he's played so far. It is just about him. The man in front of you. His charm, his charisma, his wit, his humor, HIM.

He's been an integral part of almost three decades of my life and it is only natural that I'm vested in him. I want him to do well. I want his family to do well. I want the best of everything for him. Here's a man who came out of nowhere in an era where there already were two Khans with excellent lineage and yet stood out. He threw women off buildings and stalked them to death, yet, you could not not love him. His sincerity does the work for him. The world has tried to malign him in every possible way, yet, he's maintained a dignified silence through it all. Imagine being in the public eye and doing that. He's pilloried for almost everything he does, yet, he doesn't retaliate. He just lets his hard work speak for him. That's SRK. That's the King.

I may not have loved all his movies. Now that I think of it, I've rarely enjoyed his latest movies. I came out of Jab Tak Hai Jaan with the worst migraine of my life and Zero momentarily made me have zero expectations from him. Ra.One might have worked if he had not portrayed a South Indian in it. It surely would have worked if it had just been a video game instead. Jab Harry Met Sejal had the worst character graphs ever written and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was unbelievable for obvious reasons. Chennai Express and Happy New Year were brainless and stupid, yet, his humor was top notch. Dilwale was let down by the script and the overacting by the other cast. Fan was a tribute to himself. Why he chose to be a part of these movies, only he can say. I'm sure he'll say it in a way that will make you respect him more.

I know not every movie can be a Swades, Chak De India or Dear Zindagi; these roles brought out the SRK in him. These characters were so close to what he's in real life and that's why these movies were so good. I've actually loved most of his unsuccessful films, mainly because they show the real him. Yes boss, Duplicate and Baadshah was subtle comedy at its finest. One of his roles that showed a beautiful depth to him was his cameo in Saathiya. Alongside Tabu, they stole the show. They really need to be cast together in a movie. A mature romance, maybe. 

Movies aside, let's talk about his interviews and appearances in talk shows. He's wit personified and that comes from being the fabulous man that he is. He doesn't put anyone down, nor does he put anyone on a pedestal. He knows he's the best and acts like it. He'll never let you forget it too. Not in a pompous way, just in a "I'm Shah Rukh Khan, you cannot write me off" way. Probably that's why watching Pathaan on the big screen felt so emotional for me. After the Zero debacle, it is hard to come back and do something that you've never done before. Physics defying action is the last thing you would expect from him. At 57, his body shows his effort, but you cannot ignore the effects of years of smoking and age on his face and eyes. Do they matter?

Not when you are Shah Rukh Khan. I love the man I've watched on screen for thirty years. He can be pot bellied or have an eight pack, for me he'll still be the young soldier from Fauji. No role he plays will take away the genuine charm that he's blessed with. No matter how old he grows, what he is will remain. Brand Shah Rukh Khan exists because of Shah Rukh Khan. That's something you can never write off.

As for me, I'm a fan for life. As long as I'm around, he'll always be the man I first loved.

Comments

  1. Awww....SRK would blush if he were to read this post, Soumya! :)
    I liked him in Swades, Chak de, India and Dear ZIndagi. He was...SRK. The rest of his movies...well, mum's the word. Yes, he is charismatic, charming, and unlike anyone else. He has made a place for himself, just like the Pole Star (Do you know the story behind the Dhruv tara?) As I read your post, this is what came to my mind.
    I haven't seen Pathaan, nor will I see it, even when it is aired on an OTT platform. I like the SRK from the 3 movies I mentioned. I also liked his interview with David Letterman. That's the image that's set in my mind. I don't wish to dilute it by watching Pathaan. Sorry! No offence meant, Soumya! <3
    Loved your post!

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    1. I love the man so much <3. Oh yes, I know the story behind Dhruv tara and yes, it suits him perfectly.

      None taken, don't worry. I totally understand what you mean.

      Much love <3

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  2. I agree with every word, Soumya! I'm not a big fan of SRK the actor, but I love SRK the man. His wit, charisma, and confidence are what make him the king! With all the hate heaped on him and through all the trials and tribulations he went through in recent years, he carried himself with grace, not reacting to any of it, just letting his actions and words speak for themselves. I watched Pathaan just for him - in support and solidarity, and also for how hot he looked in the promos!

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    1. Exactly! He's such a wonderful man and that's the SRK we all love.

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  3. Totally in sync with this post Soumya -his personna is just amazing. I watched Pathan for him and him alone. The movie was pathetic as far as the plot and characters go but HE is just superb and the only thing worth it in the entire movie. Tho I also loved the cameo by Salman Khan - just pepper up the dull plot a teensy weensy bit. Your idea is fantastic and absolutely apt.

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    1. That cameo was adorable! It was so heartfelt.

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  4. You speak like a true blue fan of SRK, Soumya! I didn't know this side of you, until i read this post. :) Even though I've personally never been a fan of SRK films, I must say that I do admire the man for the person that he is! His grace, his charm and his wit makes hims stand out from the rest and I particularly admire how he stood his ground through the recent trials. Of the lot, I would say Chak De and Swades are my favourites SRK films that I can watch over and over again.

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    1. I've been in love with him since I was 8 :D

      He's so dignified and witty. Nothing beats that.

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  5. This post brought back so many memories from school. I was reminded of her throughout the post. I couldn't stop nodding my head and I read this post in her voice like I was listening to her in awe.
    Calling her a fan is a small contribution, but calling him her first love is more suitable, because it's here to stay for as long as the memory stays in our minds. I loved reading this one since I know someone who adores him just like you. <3 As for me, I am a fan, I love his eyes and how he is honest about his insecurities, life and how he is addicted to people loving him. This is from the interview with Simi way back in time.

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    1. Who is this her you are talking about? I'd like to meet her :)

      That interview with Simi Garewal was so honest and real. Made me love him more.

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  6. Many of my friends are like you, Soumya, head over heels with SRK. But I never felt it. With any of the stars. I like watching movies, especially the ones you mentioned. Chak de and swades are one of our all time favorites here.
    I do like the fact that you are so unlike many of SRK's other die hard fans. You are not blindly praising his not so good movies. I have a friend who is a true lover of Shah Rukh who told me how much she hated the movie Dilwale. I like when people are realistic.

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    1. I love him as a person, everything else is secondary.

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  7. I may not have liked him that much when I was a teenager, but as I grew up I started to realize how much I loved his characters. Not all of course, i watched Zero for like 10 minutes and that was it. The magic of SRK is his charisma. Also maybe because I started noticing that it is hard to find that kind of charisma and wittiness in real life. I love his interviews, specially the ones with Kajol. They both can be so ridiculously endearing.. There's one about how prude they both are. Hilarious. I know his open arms pose is so cliche and overdone, but I still melt when I see it 😄

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    1. Oh yes! Together they are so witty! No movie has been able to capture their real chemistry. I hope we see them in a mature love story soon.

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