What's the one probable thing linking a German schoolteacher, a
Russian industrialist, an Indian student and a Dutch painter? What could such
diverse people, from
What's the one probable thing linking a German school teacher, a
Russian industrialist, an Indian student and a Dutch painter? What could such
diverse people, from completely different walks of life, milieu and
geographical locations possibly have in common? The answer, most probably, is a
love for Bollywood, and for one man in particular… Shah Rukh Khan.
Shah Rukh Khan.
The man who literally came from nowhere, and soon enough took over one of the
biggest film industries in the world: Bollywood. A man whose
charisma, wit and charm is unparalleled. A man whose mere mention causes
worldwide frenzy.
A man like no other…
My love affair with films and Shah Rukh Khan in particular (both
are synonymous, see) began nearly two decades ago. I remember watching 'Dilwale
Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge' at the tender, impressionable young age of five
at Mumbai's Eros theatre; staring with rapt attention and
wide-eyed wonder at the screen. The object of my affections was a scrawny,
brown, unconventionally handsome and heroic young man.
Whatever the hero, Raj Malhotra (the excellent
Shah Rukh Khan, personifying love itself) did, I lapped up hungrily. When he
stared deeply into Simran's eyes – I sighed. When he smiled his
eyebrow-bouncing, dimpled smile- my heart beat just a little bit quicker. My
pulse raced as he single-handedly fought off the villain's goons, getting soaked
with ketchup-consistency blood in the process. My fuzzy, childlike brain did
its rendition of "Aww!" when he, bloody and
battered, allowed his amour to hug him despite the act causing him much
physical pain. When he recited those saccharine sweet dialogues highlighting
the Indian morality, my mind concurred without question.
To my naiive five-year-old self, Shah Rukh Khan WAS love. He
stirred emotions in me I didn't quite know how to express at the time. All I
knew was, "Mummy: Shah Rukh Khan my faaaavourite hero!" Little
did I know that that meant I was already in love. At the age of five.
Cut to a year later, I had the immense good
fortune of meeting the man! In the flesh!
My
family was out to dinner at one of Mumbai's most posh Chinese restaurants (Nelson
Wong's China Garden, in case anyone was wondering). Just as we were done with
our meal, and exiting the restaurant, in walked Shah Rukh Khan and his
entourage of friends. Dressed in all-black, the minute SRK stepped into the
restaurant, there was a palpable air of excitement. A gaggle of kids, myself
included, raced to where he stood, eager to get closer to the man we all
idolised.
Shah Rukh Khan, ever the charmer, interacted with each young
person; chatting with us, smiling, laughing, teasing us as he signed our
autographs (too bad there were no camera phones and instagram to document this
historic moment) When my turn came, Shah Rukh Khan – the man of my dreams, the
hero I'd fallen so hopelessly in love with – smiled at me and asked for my name
to sign on an white tissue napkin clutched in my expectant but tight fist. I
blurted out the name my parents had so lovingly chosen for me; but in all my
shyness, it had sounded something like"Nnnnnphhh!" SRK
chuckled, kneeled down, and whispered to me: "Darling, tell me
your name so I can sign this autograph for you and you alone."
I
melted.
He
gave me a reassuring smile. Looking deep into his chocolate brown eyes, those
S-shaped eyebrows arching above them like a gilt-edged frame on a lifetime
masterpiece painting; I said my name, loudly and clearly. Even spelt it out for
him so there was no ambiguity. Shah Rukh Khan scrawled his famous moniker at
the bottom of the note, looked up at me and gave me the widest grin. He then
ruffled my hair, and I swear I felt like time had just stood still.
I
didn't wash my hair for a month.
Real People. Real Love.
Like
me, there are countless other people whose lives SRK has touched, in some way
or another. And our lives are all the better for it…
Manisha Kumar, Netherlands-based student:
"Dearest
SRK,
First
of all, I'd like to wish you a veryyyyyy happy birthday. I know getting
messages from fans isn't something new, but I'd like to take this opportunity
to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the movies you've acted in, for the
zillion of interviews you've given, for being the awesome person you are. I
love you so much, I can't even describe in words.. I just feel it. You
genuinely make me happy. Thank you so much. Itni shiddat se aapko paani ki
koshish ki, lekin kisi bhi zarre ne hummein milane ki saazish nai ki. But, one
day. I'm sure.
Wish
you tons of happiness, more blockbusters, much love. I love you a lot."
Supriya Dhurka, Bangalore-based banker:
"Shah
Rukh Khan is someone whom I have loved since the time I have known the meaning
of bollywood…someone who made me go awwww with the 1st time I saw him in front
of me by sneaking into a tv shoot….my all time love shahrukh khan who will be
with me forever<3 thanks a lot for that charm and make us believe in love
and beautiful life since our childhood :d"
Gaurav Sondhi, marketing head of a Dubai-based company:
"Dear
SRK. Every once in a while one person inspires another to do something great.
Very rarely does one person inspire a billion plus. Thank u and happy
birthday"
Divya Anand, Bangalore-based soon-to-be-bride:
"Shah
Rukh Khan: I love you.. PLEASEEEE come for my wedding!"
Runcil Rebello, Mumbai-based writer:
"Here's
wishing @iamsrk a very happy birthday, on the same day that I celebrate mine.
Wish you the best of luck ahead!"
Kkanchan Mittal, Delhi-based PR firm employee:
"Well,
he was standing next to me at an airport. He found me cute and pulled my
cheeks, only to let go off me as my mom appeared.. since he was smoking
alongside and mom didn't like that. The sad thing- it happened when I was just
a couple of years old, having no memories of it, of course. But I wish if this
incident happens now. I'd be over the moon. 
Oh yes, he was
shooting for Baazigar that time! "
Oh yes, he was
shooting for Baazigar that time! "
Manisha Katti, Bangalore-based student (whose birthday,
incidentally, is just a day before Shah Rukh Khan's):
"I
really love you, SRK! Want to meet you at least once in my life and hug you!!
Happy birthday, may God bless you with everything you want in life. Lots of
love!"
"Itni shiddat se maine tumhe paane ki
koshish ki hai.. ke har zarre ne mujhe tumse milane ki saazish ki hai… Kehte
hain, kisi cheez ko agar dil se chaho, toh poori Qaaynaat usse tumse milane ki
koshish mein lag jaati hai."
Come
on, Universe! Do your thing! Bring Shah Rukh Khan to me, to you and to all of
us.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAH RUKH KHAN! WE LOVE YOU, WE ALWAYS DID AND WE
ALWAYS WILL
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