Oh! So you are a Shah Rukh Khan Fan?

Somehow, being a South Indian, my North Indian friends find it surprising that I even know a lot of old Hindi songs, maybe even more than they do. Thanks to my Dad who introduced me to the old melodies at a very young age. But that is probably the material for another post... Later...

So, the other day, while talking with a friend, I suddenly had a realization. The conversation was as follows:

"So, do you watch Hindi movies?" he asked

"Of course, I do!"

"So, what are the type of movies you like?" He looked really curious

"Err... Umm... I don't like slapstick comedies. They irritate me!"

"Acchha... Toh you like serious movies? Well, who is your favorite Bollywood actor?"

"Aamir Khan" pat came my reply

"Which are your favorite movies, then" This was starting to sound like an interview now. 

"Hmm... Taare Zameen Par, Swades, Chak de India..."

"Oh! So you are a Shah Rukh Khan fan then?" he was smiling

"Wait... What???"

"Yeah, 2 of the first 3 movies you said are SRK's" 

He went back to sipping his tea. I was lost in thought.

He is right. Swades and Chak de India are two movies I have seen countless times. Come to think of it, when I am feeling particularly down I watch the senseless comedy scenes in Om Shanti Om and when I am in the mood for action, I watch SRK's version of the movie Don.

For those of you who do not know who Shah Rukh Khan or SRK is (which rock do you live under?), he is probably the biggest thing for Indians after Sachin Tendulkar (who is god himself !). Of course there are people who think that SRK is lame and is a nobody when compared to Aamir (like me!) cos' they blindly believe so or have not realized it yet. And that is why he is called King Khan (we have so many actors with the Khan surname that we had to give him a title altogether!). And I must say, he has earned it.

So why is SRK so special? Cos' he has done and is still portraying all kindsa characters (remember the really, really lame Ra.One?) unlike Aamir who has taken film making more seriously (or so I thought until Delhi Belly). But then, SRK definitely enjoys a special place among other Khans, Kapoors, Khannas, and Kumars!

Once a friend told me that when you are arguing over who is the better film star, if there is a lady in the group, she will (involuntarily) support SRK even if she is not a big fan of his. A little bit of digging and another friend gave me the answer to this phenomenon - "It is cos' SRK never ever had a bad boy image. He is a family guy. You do not hear gossips about him with other actresses, nor does he play really steamy scenes on screen, and he tags his wife and/or kids along wherever he goes. A family guy always appeals to Indian women!". Note: This statement was made by a woman. I, for one, actually thought that it is the "bad-boy" characters that strike a chord with women, for e.g., Salman Khan. Speaking about Salman, (sorry to all the women who love him) - I just can't stand him - for one simple reason - he cannot act!!! No he can't!!! Tell me one movie where he has actually acted (if you say Dabangg I will jump from the top of the tallest building in Bangalore now!)

So, like I was saying, whatever the reasons maybe, but there is a little bit of an SRK fan in every Indian is what I conclude from this conversation. And to be honest, I would have never found out or have even agreed to this "accusation" if it wasn't for the conversation with my friend.

P.S. Both Swades and Chak de India did not do as good as movies like Dabangg in the box office. I don't know who to blame for it, probably the mass was not ready for such movies yet. Maybe that is the reason why SRK has also decided to do dumb movies like Ra.One now! But atleast he does have a few good, sensible movies to his credit. Great going King Khan. Now let me get back to watching Swades... Again... ;)