Why do you like Shah Rukh Khan?”
I recently posed this question to a few of my friends about Bollywood superstars, and it surprised them as they had never really thought about it before. To be honest, I hadn’t either, but a new book called ‘Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh’ opened my eyes.
They told me that they find him ‘charming’ and ‘relatable’ as a hero, while also appreciating his ‘funny,’ ‘sarcastic,’ and ‘outspoken’ personality in interviews. They admire how he unabashedly pursues fame and wealth.
Digging deeper, my friends began to reflect on the roles played by Shah Rukh Khan and realized that he wasn’t the typical ‘macho’ hero who flaunted masculinity but rather a hero who cherished women. He portrayed sensitivity towards them and was willing to go to great lengths for them.
One of my friends had an epiphany and exclaimed, “It’s true! We love him for his love for women!”
Interestingly, author Shreeena Bhattacharya discovered the same sentiment when she asked a dozen of Shah Rukh Khan’s fans the same question. However, shockingly, their admiration for him is intertwined with stories of economic inequality.
Bhattacharya reveals that “When she told me when, how, and why she was attracted to Shahrukh, she was essentially telling us when, how, and why the world broke her heart.”
Her writing exposes the dreams, anxieties, and rebellions associated with women’s romantic choices, placing them at a disadvantage.
This isn’t just a hasty survey; it’s a narrative built on interactions and friendships with a diverse group of North Indian women spanning nearly two decades. These women come from various backgrounds—Hindu, Muslim, Christian; some are happily married, some in unhappy domestic situations; some are content, some frustrated working women; some are isolated, restless working-class women. Despite their differences, they share a deep love for Shahrukh Khan.
Shah Rukh Khan entered our lives in the 1990s, with Coca-Cola and cable TV, signifying a new era during India’s economic liberalization.
Bhattacharya explains, “I wanted to tell the story of women in this ‘post-liberalization’ era, and I found an extraordinary ally in Shah Rukh Khan.”
The journey of how they found this ally is the essence of this book.
In 2006, Bhattacharya was struck by the daily struggles of women making agarbatti (incense sticks) in a western Indian slum, who were concerned about their daily work and wages. She started conversing with them during breaks and inquired about their favorite heroes.
“They became more interested in talking about what makes them happy, and what makes them happy is Shah Rukh Khan.”
In subsequent surveys, this turned out to be a conversation that transcended social status. Bhattacharya realized that these women had more in common than just their love for Shah Rukh Khan; they shared experiences of the unequal labor market and their personal struggles at home. This common bond persisted even when she spoke to middle-class or affluent women.
Why couldn’t more men be like Shahrukh on screen? This was a common aspiration among these women. “They were all making it up on their own terms, and they were all making it up based on their own reality and their own desires,” notes Bhattacharya.
Shah Rukh Khan’s unwavering dedication to his heroines portrays a man who is a true listener, someone who pays genuine attention to women. Many of his characters grapple with the uncertainty of fate, making him an ideal partner for women whose lives are often not within their control.
Unlike many Bollywood men, Shah Rukh Khan’s characters are not afraid to show vulnerability or express their emotions.
A young Muslim woman working in a garment factory wishes for someone to treat her the way Shah Rukh Khan treats Kajol in ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,’ but she knows it’s unlikely because her husband has a short temper.
A wealthy yet unhappily married woman aspires to raise her sons as ‘good men,’ defining good men as those who can ‘cry and make their wives feel as safe and loved as Shahrukh makes us feel.’
These women don’t just blindly adore Shah Rukh Khan; they have a critical perspective. They don’t like some of his movies that involve stalking or mistreatment of women. While they enjoy the glamour and drama, these elements hold less significance for them.
‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ may be one of Shah Rukh Khan’s biggest hits and the most beloved romantic film in Bollywood, but one fan’s mother noticed something unique: “It was the first time I saw a hero peeling a carrot in a film for housewives. It felt incredibly romantic to them.”
These women don’t only discuss lust or sexual attraction when talking about Shah Rukh Khan. They delve into deeper emotions and connections.
Shah Rukh Khan represents heartbreak and daily injustices for them. He is the man they want to marry, not just because he’s a Bollywood star, but because he’s caring. A caring man allows them to pursue their dreams, save money, or simply indulge in watching the next Shah Rukh Khan film at the cinema.
