When you are growing up, you always have somebody you look upto. For some people it’s their father or an elder sibling, some emulate the latest music sensation while some follow an actor. I fall in the last category. I first saw him in Fauji but my hero-worshipping days didn’t start there. It started when our family was watching Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman on the small brand new colour TV and my mother said aloud, “Aww…Wish I had a son like him.” That was one of the many times I was jealous of him but always admiration is what I was left with in the end. Also since then I was amazed at how every woman wanted him. Some wanted him as a son, some as the filmy lover but nevertheless wanted him in some way. And hereafter your life’s mission becomes, “How do I become Shahrukh Khan?” 

Shahrukh’s rise to fame is no less inspiring. A lanky newcomer from nowhere with nothing 20 years back is now the biggest star of the country. Stories like his inspire us commoners too in reaching for the impossible. So I am not ashamed to say that I have mouthed off his dialogues in front of the mirror after brushing my teeth for a significant part of my life or spread my arms wide, trying to force a dimple in the midst of the fairer sex with disastrous consequences of course. The only time a normal human being wanted to stutter when they speak was after Khan’s Darr released. That’s what my point is. We have had superstars and mega stars aplenty in Bollywood but the charm and the magnetism that this Khan possesses is unparalleled. We all know that he is not the best actor in the world or the best looking hunk around but when his film releases we will still try getting tickets to the premiere and no matter what he does in the film, we will do the same thing for his subsequent movie as well. 

Being human Shahrukh has disappointed as well, be it his choice of films at times or the way he handled his IPL team last season but somehow his aura was never compromised. 

Whatever he does mass hysteria is guranteed, he joins Twitter and garners 2 million followers in a matter of days. Every time he bids for his IPL team, there’s always additional attention. His upcoming movie, My Name is Khan is already in the news but for controversial reasons. But the King’s stand against the fanatic Sena has been widely supported. 

But no matter what happens, come Friday and the theatres will be filled to the hilt. A grown up ‘me’ now doesn’t watch his movies with open mouth or taking notes but when he comes on the big screen I am still in awe. The Badshah still has a lingering presence in me which raises its head from time to time. My ticket is booked in advance for Friday is yours??

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 - Rony Dutta