From a Hero to a Zero, Shahrukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan, also known by the initialism SRK, is an Indian film actor, producer, and television personality. Referred to in the media as the “Badshah of Bollywood”, “King of Bollywood” and “King Khan”, he has appeared in more than 80 Bollywood films, and earned numerous accolades, including 14 Filmfare Awards.

Only recently the much awaited movie of the year ‘Zero’ starring Shah Rukh Khan is continuing to witness heavy downfall in its box-office collection. The film which hit the screens on December 21 (is in its second week) has not come up with good numbers in box-offcie collections for an SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) film. Directed by Aanand L. Rai, the movie sees Shah Rukh Khan potraying the role of a dwarf man for the very first time in his acting career, romancing a disabled scientist played by Anushka Sharma and simultaneously love-struck by a popular actress and a heroine addict played by Katrina Kaif.

The plot of the film revolves around the dwarf character named Bauua Singh (Shah Rukh Khan), a vertically challenged man who squanders his father’s ill-gotten money and is strongly infatuated by the actress named Babita Kumar (Katrina Kaif). He also falls in love with a physically challenged scientist named Aafia (Anushka Sharma) who is allegedly suffering cerebral palsy. Their love triangle story travels from India to the US and then all the way to Mars! Much like Shahrukh Kahn’s acting career in recent years which is also going out into outer space as well! Because the way “King” Khan is choosing his film scripts (and acting) on his latest films – only a martian or an alien would be able watch it till the end (& perhaps) also (maybe) appreciate.

From 1992-2007, SRK had absolutely everything. He gave Bollywood one blockbuster after another. The evergreen Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) ran for a record 1,000 weeks as SRK emerged as the undisputed ‘King of Romance’.

By 1997, Amitabh had milked his brand dry and after Mrityudaata, one prominent headline declared him dead. While you may argue that Amitabh is still alive and kicking in 2016 and that was way off mark, the headline was in a way right. In 2000, he was reborn as a grand and graceful old man with a salt and pepper look on the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati. It is that avatar which is flourishing till this present-day.

Here’s a little confession from myself. I was a diehard fan of SRK from 1992 to 2007, but I have felt disconnected with him ever since. Here’s a wish that he too (like Bachchan) will reinvent himself and stay relevant in the coming decades to come.