'Just chill! SRK isn't going anywhere'

'Just chill! SRK isn't going anywhere'


HindustanTimes.com

September 8, 2006

As the release of Farhan Akhtar's remake of Don starring Shahrukh Khan neared release, our film critic Saibal Chatterjee analysed the badshah's standing in Bollywood.

We asked our surfers if King Khan's reign was indeed nearing its end? And surprisingly SRK got support from the most unlikely of corner - Europe. Many of European surfers wrote in to say that SRK is here to stay.

Here's how it went.

Writing from Dsseldorf in Germany, Isabel Kocsis said SRK is Bollywood's face in Europe.

"In Europe Shahrukh Khan is newly discovered and beloved more than any other Indian actor. No Hrithik Roshan or Abhishek Bachchan can be compared with him in western countries, and whatever he is filming he is number one in a worldwide dimension."

"I have seen nearly all his films and I think he is a great and difference actor with big variability. Also KANK is very interesting and I am curious about Don. But I think India should give his greatest star and actor better roles in better films."

Jas writing from New Haven, USA felt it was a very disappointing article by Saibal Chatterjee.

"It seems the critic has something personal against SRK. Is it all the fame and success he's achieved that makes him an easy target?"

"Anyway, I don't really need to defend SRK, because frankly speaking, his superstardom speaks for itself and his immense fan base isn't going to 'erode' anytime in the next 100 years. It's doing the exact opposite, with SRK generating an interest in Indian movies within people who may never have otherwise bothered to watch."

"The basic premise that SRK never attempts anything new is completely unwarranted. What were Baazigar, Paheli, Swades and KANK if not attempting new things? And those are only a few of the many movies in which he deviated from what people call his 'usual'."

"When he departs from this 'usual' critics say he should continue doing his usual to appease the masses; when he does his 'usual' the very same critics say he never takes risks. So make up your mind, people!"
John of Ottawa, Canada too felt otherwise.

"No. I don't believe its any where close to the end of his reign. We all suffer from withdrawal when he has not had a release soon enough to satisfy our needs to see him in action. It was clear that KANK was the much-awaited SRK release and no one else. The rest of the characters in this film were clearly for supporting purposes only."

Amorette of Bronx in the US was all in favour of SRK.

"I disagree strongly. Shahrukh is a phenomenon and the best thing to happen to India cinema. We, his fans, will always stand by him."

Khalil M from Mumbai, India however was in agreement with our critic.
"I couldn't agree more with you. I couldn't gather courage to watch the movie as his last few flicks were quite boring. Not that it matters to SRK, as he is still a big time star. But its time he reinvents himself, as age seems to be catching with him and he needs to do some creative roles like Aamir or Saif to hold on to his fan-base. Well written article!"

Amit Kumar Verma from Gurgaon, India too gave his perspective to the debate.

"SRK is the partial king of Indian filmdom. He has been an icon of style. He does films mostly based on 'chiffon' dreams. So, naturally he is the badshah of youngsters. The moment we shift the track to entertaining but realistic films, other contemporary actors evidently appears to conquer SRK."


Disclaimer
All views and opinions presented in this article are solely those of the surfers and do not necessarily represent those of HindustanTimes.com.