Is it difficult to comprehend the outpouring of love for SRK? Actually it is not so difficult.
While an estimated 2.5 million people would have enjoyed the movie on the big screen on day 1 (50 crore collection @ Rs 200 average price per ticket), millions of fans in India and abroad are celebrating the movie’s success.
The fan’s delirium, their sheer joy on seeing their favourite star on the big screen is something which is unmissable.
Why do Indians love Shah Rukh Khan so much?
These are some plausible answers.
To the Indians living outside, he is a great brand ambassador. A modern Muslim face of a plural country. A country which is meritocratic and not bigoted when it comes to choosing its icons.
To the Indians in India, he is the epitome of what can be achieved by sheer hard work. Those who watched Fauji, a serial on Doordarshan in the late 80’s/ early 90’s remember a young man who was impressive, energetic, effervescent and a bundle of energy. There was an instant connect with the audience.
As he notched up success after success, the enigma/mystique of SRK rose and serenaded India in its dancing embrace. It is an enigma because SRK is neither quintessentially good looking, nor a hulk and by any standards a poor actor. But, his charm and the genuine desire to entertain obliterated his weaknesses.
But, the last few years have not been great for him. A few flops and his haters and troll armies fell on him like a 100 ton truck. When his son was falsely implicated in a drug bust, the haters tried to malign, abuse him. At every point in time, the haters used his religion and stooped to lows we haven’t heard before.
But, SRK did not flinch. He did not drown in self pity, nor did he spew venom against the system that seemed weighed against him. Instead, he continued doing what he was good at - entertaining. He worked hard on his physique, harder on his histrionic skills. And, despite tribulations did not lose his charm.
The outcome is Pathaan- a signature SRK movie. Through this movie, he has shown that love (for his audience/fans) conquers all.
Many reasons to love him, right?
On India’s Republic Day, as millions of Indians throng the theatres to watch Pathaan, it is the best rebuttal of the social media of hate. This is the best celebration of India’s diverse unity.
