'Romance for me, means dignifying a woman'--- mega-star Shah Rukh Khan had said to me-- in the past! by Chaitanya Padukone

He came, he was seen, and he conquered his legion of fans. Hailed as the ‘box-office badshah’, (“ I Am The Best”) he is also tagged the ‘king of romance’ with his stylized wooing. But versatile superstar Shah Rukh Khan who was born almost 60 years ago in a not-at-all-rich middle-class family seemed destined to reign supreme in whatever vocation he chose. That’s because his name Shah Rukh itself means ‘face of an Emperor’. The charismatic ‘SRK’s frenzied fan-following across the globe has to be seen to be believed. With a humble beginning in television in serials like ‘Fauji’ and ‘Circus’, the talented, ambitious, versatile actor who had three releases in 2024 ( ‘Pathaan’, ‘Jawaan’ and ‘Dunki’ ) has his next mega-movie perfectly titled ‘King’ ( releasing in 2026). The dedicated, versatile actor SRK managed to attain the zenith of cinematic glory with dozens of award-winning super-hit musical movies. Exploding the traditional myth, that TV stars can never achieve super-success on the ‘big screen’.

Since I have met and known Shah Rukh-bhai, even before his super-hit debut musical movie ‘Deewaana’( 1992) when he was residing in rented premises, I have observed that he had the daring confidence to be different and readily accept negative shades roles ( as in ‘Baazigar’ and ‘Darr’ ) when several other top star-actors like Aamir Khan had refused to accept the negative-shades roles ( ‘Darr).  Although he is considered the 'King of Romance' , versatile Shah Rukh acted so convincingly with 'no-heroine-opposite-him' as the diligent hockey-coach for Indian female team in landmark sports-thriller-YRF movie 'Chak De' ! India' (2007).

Right from beginning of his acting career SRK had that star-swag, self-confidence, dedication-passion and self-discipline that  “main zaroor kuch kar dikhaaunga”    

Known for his outspoken candour, the suave, debonair Khan has sometimes courted ‘controversy’. Despite being one of the richest actors across the globe, the exuberant King Khan is modest and mostly dressed in casual but branded outfits. Except when he is performing live on stage or attending a filmy event or a grand party. Many years ago SRK had  spoken to me in an informal interview in his Red Chillies production Office and responded to brief questions:

Do your endearing, super-talented kids give you surprise B’day gifts on November 2nd?

Yes, they do try to think of cute surprise gifts for me and wait for my reactions. Honestly, my children feel that when our Dad has got ‘everything’, all we need to give him is  warm tight hugs and a cheeky smooch.

Do you make any  ‘khaas mannat’ or resolutions on your B’days?

All I want, that I should continue to ‘smile’ as usual and make my audiences smile and keep all my huge SRK fan-clubs delighted until I turn 75.   Work-wise, I will try to accept only those quality lead roles that strike an emotional chord with me and connect with my loyal fans and theatre audiences.
Does the advancing age tag make you more apprehensive? Honestly, I don’t have any special attachment to a number, whether it’s an age or box-office figures. For me, my birthdays have been very much the same  Work goes on as usual. In fact, my buddy-director Farah Khan scared me that when I get up in the morning I will realize what turning 50 plus means. But I have not felt any kind of mental or physical changes. Overall, my journey till now, has been wonderful and I have no regrets. Despite some of the extreme odds and downs I would certainly not choose an alternate life even if I got a chance. Although I have put in over 30 years in showbiz, still it feels  I have just started 30 days ago and I am ready to be pushed all over again into complex roles.

What the SRK ‘secret’ of screen-romance which leaves even foreigner female fans swooning, although they don’t understand a word of Hindi songs?
Romance for me, means ‘dignifying’ a woman. Love is a universal language with an emotional connect that transcends all barriers. My fans insist that my eyes ‘speak’ when there is no dialogue. Basically, I am chivalrous and genuinely respect all females. Interestingly, when I was in the eleventh class, I was shy and hesitant to speak to charming girls at parties, lest they snub me and break my heart.

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