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Exclusive: “Only I Know the Real Shah Rukh Khan,” Says King Khan

Shah Rukh Khan tells The Quint all about his ‘Fan’ experience and what superstardom feels like.

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The gateman at Mannat has been informed about my appointment and the car is allowed to drive inside without fuss. In the lobby, the security preoccupied on the telephone raises three fingers to indicate you have to go to the media room. From the glass window overlooking the actor’s bungalow you can see glimpses of his lifestyle – a temple, a staircase, a roof. Fragrant tea combined with a leisurely walk around the passage, some soulful conversation with his core team against a Hussain painting, and it’s time to walk to the actor’s den.

Mandavi, Khan’s publicist, gently opens the ornate door leading to his spacious study stacked with books and announces my arrival.

Shah Rukh Khan tells The Quint all about his ‘Fan’ experience and what superstardom feels like.
Shah Rukh Khan poses with the author Bhawana Somaaya (Photo courtesy: Bhawana Somaaya)

He is engrossed on the phone, looks up and rises to welcome you. Some pleasantries and compliments later I come straight to the point.

Are you anxious before a release? Were you nervous about the reactions for Fan?

Not nervous, but responsible definitely. In my early days I never felt anxious because I was ignorant about the impact of a hit and a flop. I remember post King Uncle (1993) I met up with my director Rakesh Roshan at Mehboob studios I think, and he said, ‘Congrats! Our film is a success.’ I smiled. I was walking home just down the lane and I met Salim uncle and he said, ‘Your film is a hit!’ and I smiled again. Those were innocent times. 

With success came expectations and after I launched my production house, responsibilities grew. So today it is more about accountability than anxiety.
Shah Rukh Khan tells The Quint all about his ‘Fan’ experience and what superstardom feels like.
You have mentioned that it was more difficult to play Aryan than to play Gaurav, why?

Gaurav has his energy and is in that sense a studied character. While Aryan despite his status and power, was more challenging because, though I’m playing a superstar the character is not me. 

One thing that my director Maneesh Sharma and I agreed upon was that no matter what the provocation, the star will not lose his dignity.
Shah Rukh Khan tells The Quint all about his ‘Fan’ experience and what superstardom feels like.
Shah Rukh Khan in a scene from Fan (Photo: YouTube/YRF)
It’s brave of you to play a character that allows deconsctrution of Shah Rukh Khan.

Deconstuction, I agree. But not of Shah Rukh Khan, but the perception of superstardom! The script consciously includes scenes that demerit the actor. For instance, him not being recognised by security in the UK, and even more lethal when the businessman ticks him off for coming late to perform at his daughter’s wedding. Now, I may have started the trend of dancing at weddings but nobody dare speak to me in that tone in real life. However this happened to somebody and finds a place in our narrative. 

You say I’m brave to play such a part. I feel I’m honest, because only I know the real Shah Rukh Khan.
Shah Rukh Khan tells The Quint all about his ‘Fan’ experience and what superstardom feels like.
And what is the real Shah Rukh Khan?

(Smiles) That is for me and not to be shared. People think they know me. Some claim to know me, but nobody does because the real emotion has to be kept hidden inside the heart.

Shah Rukh Khan tells The Quint all about his ‘Fan’ experience and what superstardom feels like.
So what does the heart say? Should Aryan have apologised to Gaurav?

The director was very clear about that Aryan will not say sorry. In fact, the reason we kept the climax ambiguous is because both Aryan and Gaurav are justified in their stands and convinced about it. Interestingly, all the people I have met post the release of the film are divided in their opinion about the protagonists. My sister said, ‘Sorry hi toh kehna tha, keh deta’. My daughter Suhana’s friends sympathized with Aryan and condemned Gaurav, while my son and his friends identified with Gaurav and said, ‘Raain de, tu nahi samjhega’.

Seriously, do you think superstars understand the enormity of the attachment their fans feel for them?

Seriously, I think they do. But it is not practical for them to always express that to them. Even in the film the actor feels compassion for his fan and wants to resolve the problem amicably. He is sensitive and does not want the police to harm the young boy. But things just get out of control. In the final frame you notice that the actor is not waving mechanically, but lingering his gaze to connect with them, he wants to make them feel special.

Shah Rukh Khan tells The Quint all about his ‘Fan’ experience and what superstardom feels like.
SRK poses with his wax statue at Madame Tussauds (Photo: Twitter) 
Your gaze is indeed special without your spectacles.

Haha, that’s because I got my eyes operated. I don’t have to wear spectacles any longer and that is why I can also look directly into your eyes and chat (Laughs).

When it is time for me to leave Shah Rukh insists on escorting me downstairs. As we wait for my car, he reminds me that I had described his film Devdas as ostentatious, “That’s the first time I heard that word”. His candour is charming and suddenly I understand what creates  the likes of Gaurav Chandna.

(Bhawana Somaaya has been writing on cinema for 30 years and is the author of 12 books. She’s on Twitter at @bhawanasomaaya)

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

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Topics:  Shah Rukh Khan   Fan   Maneesh Sharma 

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