To fall in love and to stay out of it! How is that even possible? Such is the case of being in love with Shah Rukh Khan. 23 years ago, a young man with ruffled hair and a not so good looking face came riding on his bike with much style singing,
“Koi na koi chaahiye pyaar karne waala
Koi na koi chaahiye pyaar karne waala
Koi na koi chaahiye.. Hum pe marne waala
Dil-o-jaan lutaayenge
Hum toh usi par
Saath mein bitaayenge
Shyaam-o-saher Shyaam-o-saher o mere yaara”
Did the director, Raj Kanwar know back then that these lyrics would indeed be the definition and the answer to them for the man who lip-synced them? With the likes of Rishi Kapoor, Amrish Puri and Divya Bharati, Shah Rukh Khan came and conquered with much elaan!
The nation was about to go gaga with his charm.
He left no stone unturned. Instead, he portrayed the various shades of gray that many refused to play. The obsessive lover in him that took the many forms in Baazigar, Anjaam, DDLJ and the subtlety of Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and the lesser extreme tones that followed the mix continued with Pardes, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dil Toh Paagal Hai, Devdas and the many films of this King Of Romance that followed.
On various occasions, Shah Rukh confessed that if there was anything consistent about his characters and his way of love, it was the belief that ‘Love is selfish’, contrary to the many who say ‘Love is selfless’.
Believe it or not, that is how he became the dream lover of millions across the globe! There was no challenging his star power. There still isn’t.
While films today are judged either by the awards they win and the collections they bring in, Shah Rukh Khan has long surpassed the many levels of both. Be it the fact that he holds the maximum national honors (inclusive of Filmfare Awards and the many other awards) or the various international honors, Dr. Shah Rukh Khan stands tall in his shoes.
Not too long ago, he was named the second richest entertainer in the world and it is believed that he has already raked up his ranking to numero uno. There isn’t a second question about his king like lifestyle. Yet, his past has seen him spend sleepless nights on the many benches of Bombay.
While most of believe in the turn of destiny, it is people like him who make their destiny by adding the zen of handwork and dedication. With all those injuries and operations, a man who is on the brink of his 50th birthday carrying so much energy, charm and enigma is a rare occurrence. As rare as the presence of only one Shah Rukh Khan in the world of over 7 billion with every third man wanting to be like him.
There is no questioning the presence of his haters, because with lots of love also comes a lot of envy and criticism. Now only if we learned to deal with the unwanted pricks in our life with the wit like his.
How does one not smile at statements like, “I here people say… Why does he (Shah Rukh) wear dark glasses at night?” I’ll tell you why I wear them. I wear them because the sun doesn’t stop shining on me… even at night!”
Or this one- “Whenever I start feeling too arrogant about myself I take a trip to the U.S. The immigration guys kick the star out of my stardom!”
Even with all the flak he receives for his unmatchable wit, Shah Rukh Khan remains unperturbed. Of course unless his kids tell him that he is wrong. Whoever said that actors don’t make the best of parents gets it in his face with King Khan as he continues to be the coolest dad in this country! There’s no going wrong with King Khan when it comes to his kids (Just in case you have forgotten the Wankhede Controversy).
Not to forget his charity which he does in abundance but likes to keep it pious by not publicizing it or the many achievements and feathers in his hat right from being a heartthrob popular than most Hollywood biggies or simply being one of the richest entertainers in the world. With that energy at 50, this man is unstoppable.
This is not the first time that I write of him, I have written of him before and I shall write again. But I doubt with all my prolific writing and words of love, I’ll ever completely be able to describe the charm, persona, achievements and aura of this man. I see many like me. Their faith unfazed, their love unmoved and their faith unshaken.
Imagine, all of this for a man they have never met, for a man who is unaware of their existence and yet this man lives to entertain them! May be this is what they call love.
He lives for them, not knowing them.
They love him, cuz he lives for them!
Then, when I think of my own love for this man,I am drawn back to the inspiration and positivity he unconsciously bestows. Let’s just say, I’m a better dreamer and he makes me believe in my dreams.
To each his own, every person I meet has a tale to tell about this man. Some who simply admire him, some who want to be him and some who hate him because they cannot be him. That energy, that passion, that dedication that he inspires is going to create wonders. Be it through the many aspiring to be him or the ones who’d simply follow his lessons!
As for me, I’m happy to be here. Happier to believe that there is some connect being born a year later, on the day his first film released.
Because the words won’t end and the feelings will still remain…
Here’s wishing this phenomenal man a future of good films that compliment his aura! While the rest continue learning the lessons of love from him
Because the love shall stay and keep growing, let me say it once again…
SHAH RUKH KHAN, WE LOVE YOU!
