Thursday, November 5, 2009

The King Khan Ages


Shah Rukh Khan, one of the greatest actors ever in Bollywood, turned 44 on the 2nd of November. What fun! The man’s lopsided grin, his famous stutter ‘K-k-k-k-kiran’, even his suspiciously built abs have the power of attracting attention equivalent to that of Princess D in her heyday. And no, I’m not exaggerating.

Here is a man who in his 40s, still plays roles of young 20-somethings, knowing very well that he’s way over his head with a character he stopped identifying with twenty years ago. Yet, you will see him donning tight jeans, the graffiti t-shirt and spiked hairstyle- something only capable of a man who has nothing to lose, and knows it.

There was a time when you only saw him on screen once a year, when he did some big budget movie with Karan Johar or Yash Chopra. Today, he still does only one or two movies, but you see him all year round- that’s because he’s selling you tea, watches, cellphones, cars, soft drinks and even lures you to watch the IPL…because he also owns a cricket team! And here I thought, the older you got and the more secure you got financially and otherwise, the less you would sell yourself for money.

So you know what happens when something becomes ubiquitous, right? You take it for granted. And it tips dangerously towards the ‘banal’ category. I like the King Khan. He knows what he’s good at (a.k.a melodrama) and does it with flair. But Mr. Khan, how about using your mass appeal to push for better cinema…controversial themes, experimental roles? You have a production house to call your own. How about getting some ‘art’ into filmmaking, sir?

Don’t get me wrong. I wish you a very happy birthday. I also fervently hope you preserve your name and the aura you exude. But as with everyone else, here’s hoping this year is different from the last. And I sure as hell don’t mean adding ten new endorsements to your kitty.

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