Puppet – will Shah Rukh break free?
Considering that his films fetch crore plus (according to distributor Ramesh Sippy), the million-rupee question is - has the massive commercial success spoiled Shah Rukh Khan?
Four years ago, when the young Shah Rukh Khan first lit up the scene, he was seen as an oracle for progressive cinema - someone who would ensure that the manifold shores of commercial and meaningful cinema were fruitfully intertwined. But alas, this heavenly scenario does not seem to have worked out. Even a cursory glance at Shah Rukh's film list shows that he is working with all the biggest names in commercial cinema, from Subhash Ghai to Yash Chopra. While Ramesh Sippy calls this a lucky catch, a motivational boost for Shah's career, where are the 'other' films?
A Shah Rukh insider defends Shah Rukh, saying, "Shah Rukh doesn't do other films because he is not allowed to." Shah Rukh, it is said, has fallen victim to the Bachchan syndrome. The announcement of a Shah Rukh film causes distributors to shell out such huge sums of money to even an out-of-touch producer that the producer immediately succumbs to the pressure of making a safe film, giving up all thoughts of 'unsafe' experiments.
A textbook dilemma.
While financier Shroff says, "Shah Rukh should now experiment with adult roles besides controlling his exaggeration," the old hand Gandhi explains seriously, "As far as Shah Rukh's experiments with his roles are concerned, he should not do that because he has a clear image and should not deviate. For example, Nana Patekar played a deaf-mute guy in Khamoshi and people in the hinterland did not like that. Similarly, people do not want to see Akshay in a lover's image. Similarly, Shah Rukh will not be accepted in a full-on action film."
Shah Rukh has declared his intention to do only one film at a time from 1997 onwards. A noble intention, to be sure, but will Shah Rukh be able to make it happen? After all the commercial considerations have taken on importance for him. After the record-shattering redemption of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, all his films - Ram Jaane, Trimurti, English Babu Desi Mem and Chaahat - have been disappointing. Even Shah Rukh is not immune to the cyclical nature of box office success. In 1993 he had Baazigar and Darr, while 1994 was a disappointment with Kabhi Haan Kabhie Naa and Anjaam. In 1995 he was back on cloud nine with Karan Arjun and DDLJ, while 1996 was a dry year. For the man who went from saying he doesn't want to be a star to saying he wants to be more popular than Michael Jackson, Bollywood's fundamental commercial imperatives will not be easy to ignore.
A restless Shah Rukh is at a career crossroads - caught between the chance to prolong superstardom and the chance to tackle acting stardom. His upcoming films will reveal the choice he makes - whether he heeds the clear call of his undeniable talent or is seduced by the siren song of box office houris.
Yes Boss
Shah Rukh plays a man on a mission whose trademark 'Yes Boss' makes him the favourite of his boss (Aditya Pancholi). In exchange for Shah Rukh being his go-to guy who does his dirty work for him, Aditya promises him the moon. Trouble arises when boss and lackey fall for the same girl, Juhi Chawla. Although married, the boss is an inveterate womaniser who persuades a vulnerable Juhi into a relationship. Shah Rukh's dilemma is to choose between the girl and his boss.
Koyla
Things are looking up for KK-Khan as Rakesh Roshan continues his K obsession with Koyla.
Set in the dark world of the coal mines, Shah Rukh plays the downtrodden, exploited servant of Amrish Puri, who also happens to be mute. Hopefully, Roshan will use his muteness as an allegory for the tacit acceptance of the exploited poor.
When Shah Rukh's love interest Madhuri also becomes the target of Amrish Puri's machinations, Shah Rukh finally rebels and finds his voice - figuratively and literally.
Rakesh Roshan expresses total faith in his Karan Arjun star. "He is the best actor we have today. His eyes say a lot and what helps him is his voice modulation. I would even call him a consummate actor!"
Badshah
After gambling with the devilish hero in Baazigar -- and winning the jackpot -- the inseparable Abbas Mastaan reunite with Shah Rukh for Badshah.
Will the hero again play a startlingly different character? In truth, it's hard to say -- even for the makers -- as the script is yet to be fleshed out. Even what little has been decided remains secret behind Abbas Mastaan's sealed lips. "We don't want to reveal the plot after what happened to Daraar." (For the unaware, Agni Sakshi happened to Daraar. It had the same plot but beat Daraar to the punch). The
moment the script is ready, Kajol (this is the only film the Dilwale pair is being considered for) will decide whether to join the project or not. For the other heroine, a dark-toned role, feelers have been put out to Sushmita Sen. Until then, Badshah will have to be a king without his consort.
Pardes
Pardes is the story of an NRI who comes to India in search of the ideal Hindustani girl as his bride. He meets a taxi driver (Shah Rukh) who helps him find his Dulhan (model/video jockey/actress Ritu Choudhury, renamed Mahima), but ends up falling in love with her himself. A modestly budgeted film, it nevertheless ran into a controversy even before its release in true Subhash Ghai style as there were rumours that the ABCL-produced film Tere Mere Sapne was similar. The story is being reworked on the sets in the Ram Lakhan style and Subhash Ghai must be hoping that it will at least be a hit.
Duplicate
Duplicate sounds like a duplicate of the 1970 hit Sachha Jhootha, the story of two people who happen to look alike. One is a dreaded criminal and the other is a gentle, humble and virtuous guy.
The former is paired with Sonali Bendre and the latter with Juhi Chawla. The nice guy and the vicious guy get confused and the ensuing double trouble is turned into comedy, action and suspense by director Mahesh Bhatt. One of the most endearing episodes is the one where the bad boy grits his teeth because he cannot handle the niceties shown to him.
Producer Yash Johar, "The script was definitely written with Shah Rukh Khan in mind. He is an actor who demands stories written to suit his personality. He is so committed to this film that he has said he will not play a double role for the next six or seven years."
With Juhi already past her prime and Sonali yet to taste success, it is up to Shah Rukh to work twice as hard to hold this case of mistaken identity together and prove it to be genuine.