Khans Marotten!
Even his career trajectory took a different path. No love story at the beginning for Shah Rukh. He started out as an anti-hero in films like Deewana and Baazigar, an image he cemented with Darr. And to be an anti-hero and take the wind out of the sails of the regular hero (in Indian cinema) just spoke volumes about the charismatic impact of the young actor and his palpable energy level.
Today, Shah Rukh is the most popular star among fans of Indian cinema across the world. There is a hysteria after him, even in countries like the US and the UK, that can only be compared to the mania felt for Amitabh Bachchan in his prime.
The dimpled Khan has a following of women, children, young girls, men, taporis (rowdies), front-bench spectators and even toddlers. His energy levels whip his fans into ecstasy and his fast-talking and razor-sharp intelligence make him all the more worth watching, reading, listening to and - lovable.
But is there madness in his method? Of course. That's what sets him apart. Check it out.
The Obsessive Husband
What makes Shah Rukh all the more desirable to all those girls/women/housewives out there? His genuine obsession with his wife Gauri. It's as simple as that.
For eight years he courted her obsessively, won her over, then her family. And even after marriage - he remains hopelessly devoted to her. It is this 'unattainable' factor that makes him so desirable. The fact that he is unattainable makes love grow. But with Shah Rukh, it is no show. He remains devoted to Gauri - even though his affections have now equally spread to his son Aryan. Essentially, he remains the family man that girls go crazy about and men want to be like. It adds a feather to his cap of multifaceted talents.
The Loyal Friend
He is no-nonsense to the core. And he values that in turn. Which means he would rather work with new, untested directors like Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra as they are his friends, rather than stifling but established ones like Subhash Ghai and Raj Kumar Santoshi - with whom he would not be as comfortable as he was with directors like Aziz Mirza who have supported him when he needed them.
It is the same with his heroines. He will work with Juhi, Kajol and Madhuri regardless of whether their career graphs are up or down - simply because he is comfortable with them. But if the heroine is not his friend - that discomfort shows on screen and in his interviews. Be it Manisha, Raveena, Karisma, Sonali etc, the lack of chemistry affects him immensely. To the point that he doesn't try. It's weird - but that's how he is. Accept it or not.
Don't pose with heroines, don't kiss, don't talk
It's been a character trait from the beginning. He never wanted to pose with any of his heroines for magazines or promotional photos because 'it might upset Gauri'. And he stuck to it. For the same reason, he probably doesn't kiss any of his heroines on camera. He laughs it off, 'If I kiss my heroine on the lips, I'll want to go through the whole routine.' But this Khan sticks to his rules. No kissing, so there's nothing to talk about.
Loves computers, cola and chai
He is obsessed with computers and computer games. To the point that he is hyperactive and can sit up all night surfing and playing games - he drinks enormous amounts of tea and cola. This is probably the secret of his hyperactivity.
Loves to be the centre of attention. Even gets annoyed when pushed aside. Especially by directors
Classic example - when he felt Subhash Ghai was paying more attention to Mahima than Pardes or him. He still hasn't forgiven him for not letting him fly back to India (from the US) when Gauri was ill. He did it anyway. Other directors who don't give him the attention he feels he deserves also provoke his anger. His need for attention and the limelight also makes him overact or overact - (all this stems from his hyperactivity) - unless he is controlled by experienced directors.
Has very high self-esteem - which sparks 'comparison wars' with other heroes
Be it Sunil Shetty, Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Govinda, Salman etc, at different times Shah Rukh has been either in cold war or media war with them. Just because he probably thought they were getting more attention than they deserved. And they certainly didn't deserve more than him.
Diagnosis by Aziz Mirza
(Loyal friend, director, advisor and now partner at production company Dreamz Unlimited)
Shah Rukh Khan and I have known each other for quite a long time. He acted in my first TV serial. After that we did Circus and then my films.
He is a very innovative actor, he has the ability to be very receptive. He jumps on your wavelength immediately, he is so instructive. SRK is an actor who can convert an awkward angle or shot into a natural one. The sincerity, stamina, dedication and energy he possesses is terrific. He is so agile, his face can show any expression you need. He is a director's delight. He may go too far at times but it is up to the director to control that. A director can extract exactly what he wants from SRK, he is so versatile as an actor. If he goes too far or stutters, the director should guide him and tell him to do a different variation. If he has this tendency to overdo it, the director should be able to control it, SRK can be moulded in any case. There is something irresistible about SRK, I see this quality even in his young son Aryan.
He has matured tremendously as an actor in the last few years. He connects with people on all levels, even if his performance is forced at times, he is able to make it look effortless and natural, which other actors are unable to do. He has this inexhaustible supply of energy, a gift from God, sometimes I get sick of seeing his energy levels. He drinks coke and tea in huge quantities, which I think he should limit. He loves his dog and his computers excessively... If SRK loves something, it is one hundred per cent or nothing. Which some may think is quirky, but it is just that SRK is extremely passionate. When he says he is the best, he is only joking. He puts on this show-off, whereas in reality SRK is a very shy guy and to cover that up he makes these big statements. When he takes jabs at other actors, it's all in jest, not malicious. It's up to you how you take it. But he also pokes fun at himself - which actors rarely do. He's always putting himself down, poking fun at himself, his lips, his eyes - that's his sense of humour. I can attest to the fact that he has no airs and graces and hasn't lost his manners even with the tremendous success he's seen in the last five years. He'll sit on the floor, drink from a dirty cup - he has no airs and graces. He's the easiest actor to work with. His focus is solely on his work.
During the shooting of Yes Boss, we used his makeup room as a production room and he never complained. Contrary to belief, he is not a vain man. He will sit on the floor, lie on it, he has no problem with that. In fact, he feels peculiar if you treat him special. He has a strong sense of loyalty and his commitment is total.
He is a crazy guy, but we are all crazy. Everyone who is creative is crazy. Even I am crazy and that is what is so endearing about us. He is very childlike and wants to do all the stunts himself and he will argue about it like a petulant child. He can be stubborn but if you can appeal to his logic or convince him of your point of view, he will listen to you.
Shah Rukh's biggest handicap is his smoking. I wish he would cut it down. There is a madness in him but it is this madness that makes him so adorable and creative. What he is in the normal sense may not be as normal as a doctor or a chartered accountant, but for a creative person, he is absolutely normal. Creativity is insane. Even I am crazy. You cannot be creative without being crazy. SRK is very intelligent, he is extremely funny.
What sets him apart is his honesty, his natural acting and his charisma. Salman and Aamir also have a lot of charisma. When they are on screen, you want to keep watching them. SRK will work with anyone he has no complexes about. I love him like my son and every time I work with SRK, I am delighted. He is made for the camera. Quirks and all!
Diagnosis by Juhi Chawla
(favourite co-star, loyal friend and now partner with Jay Mehta in Dreamz Unlimited, a production company)
He is smart and intelligent. He is full of drive. He has an unfair share of energy. He packs into a day what I would do in a week! And whatever he does, Shah Rukh gives it his full attention. He will not leave anything until tomorrow that he can do today. He likes to play many sports and games. But he doesn't know how to play friendly. He will always play to win. Even if it is a harmless game of Pictionary. Shah Rukh has to win it. Every time. His energy sets him apart from the rest.