2016-05-11

SRK came, saw, won hearts... but didn't quite conquer the box-office with his ambitious attempt at exploring the darker side of fame in Maneesh Sharma's Fan.

While Shah Rukh's performance as the star-struck, obsessive-stalker Gaurav as well as the intense superstar Aryan (my personal favourite of the two), has won acclaim from many quarters, an experiment such as Fan was perhaps too much of a departure from what worked so well in the past for his hard-core fans. Before that, many fans were disappointed with the incoherence of Dilwale, and were probably looking for more of an Om Shanti Om and less of an Anjaam.

Shah Rukh Khan has confirmed that he will be playing a dwarf in the Tanu Weds Manu director's forthcoming film.

Now Darr, a film that is being referred to as a predecessor of Fan, had some chart-busting music, great comedy, beautiful locales and Yash Chopra's trademark glamour to balance out the gritty portions. In comparison, Fanwas far more dressed-down and to-the-point, with little relief in the second half. And due to the absence of those elements, certain plot-holes became evident and got trolled more than they deserved.

The superhit title song which made us fall in love with Gaurav was also omitted from the film; as a result of which his character turned out to be far darker than what that feel-good track and promos suggested. This was not the slice-of-life saga that the average fan on the street expected! Still, while Fan is not likely to join the 100-crore club and won't be the annual blockbuster the trade expected, it is indeed a step in the right direction for Shah Rukh Khan--the actor and the star.

Shah Rukh's upcoming list of films features an exciting mix of directors and subjects which look like a healthy blend of content and commerce. And there is enough firepower (both artistic and commercial) in his filmography to silence all detractors.

1. Raees

The film has been in the news for quite some time now and the impactful first-look has only increased the buzz around Rahul Dholakia's tale about "Baniye Ka Dimaag Aur Miyan Bhai Ki Daring..." Adding zing to the premise is Humsafar-fame Mahira Khan, whose popularity among desi TV audiences is second only to Fawad Khan.

In Raees, SRK returns to a no-holds-barred, anti-hero-mode in a setup far more commercial than Fan.

SRK returns to a no-holds-barred, anti-hero-mode in a setup far more commercial than Fan. Plus, there is a mouth-watering acting contest awaiting fans as he takes on none other than Nawazuddin Siddiqui in this gritty tale about bootlegging in Gujarat. While the final release date still remains a mystery, Raees looks rich both in style as well as substance.

2. Anand L Rai's Next

Shah Rukh Khan has confirmed that he will be playing a dwarf in the Tanu Weds Manu director's forthcoming film. But given the advancement in technology, SRK promises that the approach will be very different from what Kamal Haasan did in the landmark revenge drama Appu Raja. Rai is a master at showcasing the boisterous emotions of hinterland India and going by his skilful treatment of Dhanush's complex character in Raanjhanaa he is just the kind of director who can complement SRK's spontaneous energy.

3. Imtiaz Ali's Next

If SRK defined romance in the 90s, then for the millennials that person is Imtiaz Ali. His films have successfully managed to depict the insecurities, doubts and anxieties associated with love in the modern generation. While Shah Rukh Khan, with his arms spread out, painted the ideal picture of romance, Imtiaz Ali's characters have been a tad more uncertain when it comes to matters of the heart. In a way this combo is a lot like Ali's Love Aaj Kal as they both symbolise different eras of romance in Hindi cinema. There have been rumours about Shah Rukh playing a Sikh character, but the actor has denied those stories and has confirmed in an interview that it is not a comedy. When the hero of DDLJ unites with the creator of Jab We Met, the combination promises to be nothing short of scintillating.

When the hero of DDLJ unites with the creator of Jab We Met, the combination promises to be nothing short of scintillating.

4. Aditya Chopra's Next

Now this is the big one! While DDLJ shall always remain their Sholay, Aditya Chopra managed to extract two of SRK's most sensitive performances in Mohabbatein and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. The film is supposedly being planned on a massive scale with extensive prep-time devoted to SRK's character. Given how Khan is always in top-form when working with YRF, this is the collab that both fans and critics always watch out for.

5. Gauri Shinde's Next

There is FBI-level secrecy around SRK's exact role in this Karan Johar-produced Alia Bhatt starrer. Khan has put an end to all speculations about the length of his role, but the team is tight-lipped about the status of his on-screen relationship with Alia's character. Is he a friend, philosopher, guide or lover? No one knows! But if their stage act at a recent awards night is any indication, then the pair has seriously crackling acting-chemistry, with Alia's spontaneity giving proper takkar to SRK's wit.

6. Don 3/Ra.One 2

While Don 2 and Ra.One were not the game-changers that many expected them to be, SRK has immense faith in the potential of the thriller and sci-fi genres. And with Khan taking a keen interest in the VFX arm of his company (the special effects of Fan were the unsung hero of the film), whenever these two sequels are announced, the result will surely be bigger and better.

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