I have never been a fan of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, despite being the fact that we went to the same college in New Delhi. I grew up in the 90s. I saw how an ordinary looking actor Shah Rukh Khan came from the television industry and became an instant star. Though I also went to watch “Baazigar” and “Darr,” liked his work, but I never became his fan, while my entire college was an SRK fan. It was SRK mania. Everybody would talk about him only. With every film, he was growing popular.  He gave back-to-back blockbuster films, like “DDLJ,” “Dil To Pagal Hai,” “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” “Devdas,” “Main Hoon Na,” “Kal Ho Na Ho,” “Veer-Zaara,” “Chak De! India,” and “Om Shanti Om.” SRK was everywhere and everyone liked him and adored him.

Now, his latest film “Jawaan” got released on Thursday, and is doing very well and even broken many box-office records. I too went to watch the film in Sharjah. The cinema hall was flooded with SRK fans. People were scrambling to get tickets. I liked the way he has changed his gear with “Pathaan.” Known as a romantic star, SRK looked wise enough to shift his gear at the right time and he succeeded in doing so.  His fans have started liking him in the action film. Bollywood fans liked him in “Pathaan” and are now enjoying “Jawaan.” I must give credit to Shah Rukh Khan for carrying on the crown on his shoulders for so long.  

Shahzad Ali,
By email