Home
Calendar of Events
Biography
Filmography
Image Gallery
Wallpapers
Screen Savers
Audio Clips
Video Clips
Fact File
Interviews
Archives
Always A Star Article
Movie Previews
Movie Reviews
Movie Trailers
Movie Stills
Awards
SRK's Filmi Lyrics
Fun Stuff
A Very Special Visitor's Comment
Home : Always A Star Article
Star of the Week on Bollyvista June 14, 2003
November 2, 1965 brought into the world someone whose persona would be that of an emotional, passionate, intense, funny, and down-to-earth man. This man would come to share his many extraordinary talents with the world, in time. This description should paint a mental picture for you of our Star of the Week - Mr. Shah Rukh Khan, both in real life and on the big screen. In other words, welcome to Shah Rukh Khan 101.
Interesting enough, we can add to the aforementioned qualities which Shah Rukh inherited from his mother, whom he admires most of all, shy and sensitive. He credits Mumtaz with inspiring some of his moves and mannerisms, stemming from his scrutinizing study of her when he was just a young boy. His most admired actor is Dilip Kumar, who he considers to be the greatest actor of India. Some agree with his mom that he even looks like Mr. Kumar, a statement which makes Shah blush.
The "Rukster", as he is affectionately known, has a following of many loyal fans. How loyal? A good example is when he was going in for his recent back operation, from which he has emerged unchanged, according to him. Over 102,000 e-mails were collected by his #1 fan, and presented to him. This loving and immense undertaking did not go unnoticed. A call placed to this fan's home, left her without words as she heard his voice on the other end of the line. A voice which many have described as being like smooth, dark chocolate, candy for the ears.
The Internet is literally teeming with hundreds of web sites dedicated to the Baadshah, where people from all countries and walks of life come to share their thoughts and feelings about him. What is his humble response to all his dedicated devotees? "I cannot repay my fans for what they have done for me, they have given me so much love, and that love has taken me to where I am today. The only thing I can do for my fans is to never stop working, and to do films till the very end. It is the only way I can express my love for them."
His family and friends have formed a strong and lasting bond with him as well. He often speaks with endearment about his beautiful wife Gauri, their two adorable children Aryan and Suhana, and his sister Shehnaaz. The names of friends like Yash and Karan Johar, Farah Khan,Yash and Aditya Chopra, and Vivek Vaswani are closely linked alongside his. In quoting how much of an effect they have had on his young life of just 37 years, he affectionately comments, "I look upon life as a book, and the people I love are like rose petals kept between the pages. Each time I turn a page of my life, I find a rose petal, reminding me of my beautiful memories."
His early years saw him as a restaurateur in New Delhi. But that venture was soon traded in for another, Bollywood's most sought after actor. It all began in the theater with Barry John, the one person he believes taught him all he knows about acting. July 16th of this year marks the debut of his first 12 years in the entertainment world. That year brought us the TV serials 'Fauji' and 'Circus'. Once SRK got his big break in Bollywood, there was no turning back. His hardworking, energetic, and "road runner" type personality, according to co-star Juhi Chawla, has helped him push full steam ahead with his career. And although he's had his share of falling on hard times in the industry, he hasn't let that slow him down.
Cast for the most part as a lover of various types, (it's been narrowed down to six), I find it amusing when he says, "For someone who doesn't even like love stories, I've played an awful lot of lovers." And for some unknown reason, which even Shah Rukh doesn't understand, he's played a character named Rahul for at least seven out of his plethora of films.
He has acquired numerous awards for his outstanding performances, including, but not limited to, Darr (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) , Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) , Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000), Asoka (2001), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), and Devdas (2002). "All that's left is the Best Actress Award," he mischievously laughs.
There's a strong desire within this actor to please. Summing up this admirable quality, he admits, "I'm an actor and I'm always entertaining. I'm a court jester. But my acting is for real. I'm on 24 hours. The only time I don't act is when I'm sleeping. But I'm genuine, I don't fake my emotions. I can't dissociate from acting anymore. You can take me out of the actor, but you can't take the actor out of me."
His career isn't just limited to acting though. When discussing his venture into the sphere of producers, together with actress and close long-time friend Juhi Chawla, and the man whom both of them consider to be a father figure, Aziz Mirza, he has shown himself to be very diplomatic.
"The logic of Dreamz Unlimited is not to make money but to make different films," he states matter-of- factly. "It should be a little bit different from what others are doing. If I find that everyone is opening a toy store, I would like to open a toy store with one special toy which nobody has. The idea is to make the kind of programmes that we would like to watch, programmes which don't insult your intelligence."
To date, Dreamz Unlimited has brought lovers of the Hindi cinema three films. Chronologically they are, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000), Asoka (2001), and newly released just yesterday, (June 13, 2003) this summer's promised blockbuster hit, Chalte Chalte.
Why go back to the fundamental romantic/comedy story-line, you may ask? Well, after his two brilliant performances of "larger than life characters," namely Devdas and Asoka, Shah Rukh wanted to play it safe and go back to profiling characters that the average person can relate to; a "four shirt and jeans" kind of guy. Putting it simply he explains, "Chalte Chalte is a story about two people who have problems just like you and me." And there you have the essence of what Hindi films should be about.
On that note, we wish our Star of the Week all the best with Chalte Chalte, his forthcoming films, Kal Ho Na Ho, Main Hoon Na, Swades, and the many others in his long future, as he continues to faithfully entertain us year after year. Abhi na jao chodkar Shah Rukh.
Checkout Bollyvista.com
No comments:
Post a Comment