Of Raj, Rahul or Pathan !!

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.

Being the 90's kid that I am, A scrawny young bloke wearing the most hideous of eye gears atop a horse in a song took me by surprise. 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 go. 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. 

Hugs Pree