From the diary of King Khan's die hard fan

I was just in Year one when I used to run into my neighbour’s house at night, then I barely understood Hindi as well. That didn't matter at all, for I loved to watch the tele serial 'Fauji' and its just for Lieutenant Abhimanyu Rai. Not having our own TV, didn't dissuade me.

When we had a TV of our own, I waited for Sunday nights just to watch the same Abhimanyu Rai, now in the popular tele show ‘Circus'. Then I didn't know what his real name was? I even waited till late night for watching 'Doosra Keval', his another TV flick. Sooner I realised that his name is Shahrukh Khan, but definitely not as "The SRK" or "King Khan".


It was also the time when his movie 'Deewana' turned to be a big hit. A new star was born in Bollywood who was full of life. The first hero who jumped around, laughed crazily, was versatile and filled the silver screen with energy. He became the reason for my pumping teen hormones and uplifting the mood. I loved him in all sort of dynamic roles, even in those horrid negative roles in 'Baazigar, Darr, Anjaam'.

His boy-next-door character in 'Raju ban Gaya Gentleman, Kabhi haan kabhi naa' hit my sinoatrial node (I mean my heart) straight away.



I once managed to slip out from my boarding school, faking for a dental check up, just to watch 'Dil to Pagal hai'. And what a feat it was to achieve this! I was in year 9 by then, SRK had reached my dreams. 'DDLJ' was a phenomenal. Temperatures soared. He colonised my dreams and filled my mind after I watched any movie of his. He became my stress buster, my ray of inspiration for next crucial years of my academic phase. 'Phir Bhi Dil hai Hindustani, 1,2 ka 4, Dil se followed.....

When I entered the professional course to be a medic, college life  began. It was then 'Kabhi kushi kabhi Gham, Kuch kuch hota hai.. I said 'Squeeze me 😉' during my dissection classes. With 'Kal ho na ho', I imagined myself treating him putting on Sonali Bendre character! His charm was different in 'Swadesh, Veer Zara and Chak de'. I loved them all! 

I always made it a point to watch DDLJ at all the valentine days. The romance would then be rich in air. The moment to relish and relive was in Switzerland on mount Titilis, my date with Shahrukh's cutout. 

For the 1st time, I hated the SRK character in 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (KANK)'. He appeared to be a failure showing infidelity. "Its just one off movie" I said to myself. 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' seemed to be the ultimate movie for that moment of life when I was getting married. My love for SRK was still lingering fresh through his movie 'Don'. His 'Don' character, I debated and vouched that its is much better than that played by Sr. Bachchan! 

Then came 'Billu, Om shanti om' which anchored him towards being the tsar of bollywood 'The king Khan'. I didn't favor that image of SRK, where he proclaims himself as 'I am the best". Slowly his presence in my dreams began to fade. He was no more my 'Shahrukh'. His choice of movies started making me wither within. 

After so many years of being glued, the 'Sharukh' mania wouldn't go easily. His movies' 1st day 1st show rendezvous continued. I never missed his next flicks...'Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Chennai express, Dear Zindagi, Happy New Year'. Even watched one while in London on a tour. The movies 'Dilwale, Fan, Raes'.. all sang similar tunes. Promoting "The King Khan' brand. 

As the "King Khan' brand echoed, Ranveers, Ranbirs, Akshays slowly etched the corners for me to see. The feeling of being SRK fan, began to shy away. The last nail in the coffin was when I watched 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' 😭😡😫. I was devastated. I felt very sorry for myself. How could the person whom I dream't as my inspiration, whom I adored, whom I looked for him in my fiancée/ boyfriend has taken me on a ride.

I don't know what kind of fan following he has now from the younger generation. Doesn't he see the debacle in the script, while narration, editing, during the premiere?  Do they take the audience for granted? I was once upon a time a biggest fan of his... now no more, don't even want to talk about his movies!!

"Meanwhile... an hour later Shilpa was heard asking "When is this Shahrukh's Don 3 releasing"?