In 17 mins, SRK delivers a book of quotes TNN | Dec 12, 2015, 05.46 AM

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He had the script in his hand when he walked up to the lectern, but his act, sea soned with humour and well-researched, began much before that. In a 17-minute lecture to the alumni of the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIM-B) at their leadership summit IIMBUE, Shah Rukh Khan presented a book of quotations. From how "quantifiable (numeric) growth is an illusion" to how "goals limit creativity", SRK, who was warmly welcomed by applause, cheering and even stray whistles by men and women in power suits, delivered a speech the alumni felt was worth the keynote.

"To imagine you know better than life is the silliest thing," he said, soon after his short pause to accommodate the applause ended.

Pointing out that business guys lack madness and passion as numbers cloud the poetry in their work, Khan said: "Creation cannot be managerial, it has to be imaginational." Urging people to be creative and inspiring, he said one has to be open, connect dreams with imagination and even be wild at times.

"Growth that you can quantify is an illusion. The reality is hard work, diligence, and wanting to strive for familiarity in the fields one wants to work in to create the best. Hard work is non-negotiable, I did not know my destiny , I don't think I still do," he said.

Successful achievement of goals, he said, was not a destiny. "Those are just milestones of excellence. I for one never set myself goals. I only strive to work, work better and better. Goals limit creativity," he said.

Advising that leaders must not lose heart and must never give up, he said: "That life is perfect is an illusion. In fact, it is the imperfections that make life beautiful..."

Leaders, he said, like everyone else, must learn to deal with disasters because accidents happen."Maybe it won't be a tsunami that washes away everything, but other things that will disrupt. We must learn how to deal with them, because disasters are like destinies," he said. Speaking about accidents, he spoke of how his becoming an actor was one. "I wanted to be a sportsperson who represents India in cricket or hockey or athletics. But I met with an accident and given our financial strength then, I couldn't afford the best of treatment. I then went into theatre and got the role in Fauji (a TV series) and eventually made it to the movies."

In his carefree tone that he's made his own in recent years, Khan said: "Suddenly I was a star, a superstar and believe me, I do not miss the regular life. I don't miss eating on the streets. If I miss a burger, I'll get a McDonald's in my house and that is what I like."

He also had his from-the-movies lines. The most applauded one was: "I only like Kiran (Mazumdar Shaw) because I can say I love you K-k-k Kiran. I don't know any other Kiran."