VIDEO: Shah Rukh thanks Sheikh Sultan, takes fans by storm in Sharjah

Raghib Hassan, Staff Reporter

All roads led to Sharjah Expo on Friday. The biggest star of Indian cinema, Shah Rukh Khan, had arrived at the world’s largest book fair — Sharjah International Book Fair – in the evening. It was indeed a sight to behold for his fans.

Thousands of fans scrambled to get a glimpse of their favourite star.  Those who managed to get a seat in the auditorium saw their star walking and interacting live, while those who could not enter inside the hall had to watch the King of Romance on screens.  

Audiences who waited patiently to see to the superstar for hours and hours started screaming once King Khan entered the hall. Such was the excitement that they did not let speak him for a few minutes until he requested them to allow him to complete his speech. No wonder, nobody moves the crowd the way SRK does. He is indeed a charmer even at 57.  

Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) Chairman Ahmed Al Ameri presented Shah Rukh Khan with the first-ever book fair’s Global Icon of Cinema and Cultural Narrative award. Thanking His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and SIBF, he said, “I am privileged and honoured to receive the award. I dedicate this award to acid attack survivors and all those women who have shown incredible courage.”

He further said, “I am grateful for all the love that you have showered on me every time I come to Sharjah. Let me sound a bit intelligent since it’s a book fair and then do my lungi dance!”

The Raees star had to request his fans many times to let him complete his speech because they were constantly chanting and clapping out of excitement. It was indeed a moment of a lifetime for many of his fans who stood on their chairs with their cameras on to freeze the moment.

When asked to share a piece of advice with youngsters, he said, “Keep an honest and gentle heart.

There will be a time when you have to cheat life or the people around you, but try not to give into that one moment of weakness. What has always held me in good stead is an honest and gentle heart.”

Praising the UAE, he said, “I like the multiculturalism of the UAE. Roads here are well developed. It is a happy place. It has some lovely restaurants.  It has become a global centre. And I have a home here also.”

SRK’s “Pathaan” is all set to be released next year. Talking about that he said, “I might sound pompous, but I will be honest with you. I am not going to be nervous at all before the release. My film is going to be a super-hit. I work for 18 hours a day. I am doing stunts at 57. I am very much excited for the film, and not at all nervous.”

SRK has just celebrated his 57th birthday. Sharing his mantra of success, he said, “The day I feel tired or stressed I go out of my home and see people showering their unconditional love on me irrespective of my work. Their love I feel is beyond my work. This is what keeps me moving ahead.”

Before saying goodbye to his fans, SRK regaled his fans with his famous dialogues from “Baazigar,” “Don” and “Veer Zara” and left the audience to see him on Jan.25, 2023 when “Pathaan” releases.

Mumbai-resident and diehard SRK fan Noor had arrived at the book fair at 2pm to get a place in the first row. Sharing his happiness he said, “I love him. I am his fan. I even went to see his house Mannat in Mumbai. The day I got to know about his visit to Sharjah, I decided to be here.”

Another Sharjah resident and SRK fan Ayesha, who studies in grade 12 in Dubai, said, “I came at 1pm to get a place inside the auditorium, But I was surprised to see that people came much before me. But it was worth waiting.”

For the Bollywood star, whose fandom spreads across views in Europe, Middle East, The Americas apart from India, his presence at the Sharjah Book Fair marks the first conferment of the SIBF Global Icon of Cinema and Cultural Narrative award.

The award is SIBF’s initiative to recognise and honor individuals whose efforts in their career have helped transcend cultural barriers and whose contribution to the arts created cultural ties between varying identities.

The multifaceted actor, producer and businessman, SRK or King Khan – as he is popularly known – has appeared in more than 80 films over a three-decade-long career and enjoys a fan following that cuts across ages and races.

The versatile actor is best known for his romantic roles in blockbuster hits including “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Devdas,” and “My Name is Khan,” amongst a host of other record-breaking hits.