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King Khan!

Lata Khubchandani

Shah Rukh Khan

His is a success story that bears retelling over and over again. He was the first case of a television actor becoming a star on the silver screen. And, he's arguably the biggest star the industry has now.

Shah Rukh wasn't looking for a career in films when he took up a few television serials. But the young man charmed everyone and soon he was one of the few newcomers with a number of offers. Today, just six years after his entry, he is a top star.

If he doesn't have the adulation that a Bachchan received or the charisma that made people swoon over a Rajesh Khanna, one must remember that there is a different generation out there now, one that's more media-savvy, which is more prone to raving than to actual genuflection.

But when the fans rave for Shah Rukh, they do with without inhibition. Indians abroad chase him from place to place when he goes there on shows. This writer too had fans sending her photographs of them standing at airport after having chased Shah Rukh from one state in the US to the other.

I've had requests that I show Shah Rukh these photos and ask him if he remembered this woman etc. Crazy, perhaps, but representative of generation that's short of idols to worship.

Shah Rukh, though, has a don't-give-a-damn attitude. It isn't a cultivated attitude, but just the way he is. Losing his parents early in life left him in charge of a sister. He is also fatalistic, certain that everything in life is uncertain. The ability to live with that idea makes him both carefree and unpretentious. Unlike other Bollywood stars he's not chasing an image. And that gives him the freedom to say and do what he pleases. And he's got an abundance of energy that's most willing to be diverted creatively. "Otherwise it could become negative," he says.

One might have thought that marriage and fatherhood might tame and domesticate him, but there are times the mischief shows through. And there's real concern too.

Recently, at an AIDS awareness concert in Bombay he did a little act with 10 AIDS-afflicted children. He said these children may not be around till the coming Christmas but he wasn't appealing for pity or feelings of guilt. It was just a matter-of-fact statement. And then he went on to add, that maybe many of us not afflicted by AIDS may also be absent -- so what the hell?

With wife Gauri

Another distinct desire he expresses, perhaps quite unconsciously, is his need to form lasting relationships. Whoever he works forms a bond with him that he nurtures despite all his commitments.

But producers, directors, choreographers, co-stars, technicians all become devoted Shah Rukh fans. His affection for the Yash Chopra family and the Karan Johar family is quite obvious. And the feeling is reciprocated, with both these film-makers swearing by him.

Last year was definitely big for Shah Rukh Khan's. He became the spokesperson for Hyundai Motors, a perfume named SK was launched and he did campaigns with Pepsi and Bagpiper among others.

While his choice of films may not always be wise, starring in the big hit a year ensured his position at the top. He's one of the highest-paid star today but he rejects any such comparison.

"I don't know what the others are paid, so how can I say anything? Also, when you work for the biggest producers, you don't always get paid all that well," he says. But he's the only star who doesn't take a signing amount for his films.

"I don't believe in taking money for work I haven't done, but once I've worked I want to be paid for it. I believe in the retail business and see myself as a successful retailer. So when I work, I want to be paid."

There have been times, particularly in the beginning of his career that film-makers did not pay him his dues but he says, "The fun lies in the fact that they have to come back you. All these people who predicted doom for me because I came from television are still sitting tight with their predictions. You can see for yourself where I've reached.

"When somebody tries to cheat me I don't try to recover the money. I believe that if someone lies to work that hard to defraud me, he needs it more than I do. And so I let him keep it."

Most co-stars who've worked with him marvel at his energy.

"I have a good rapport with all my co-stars," he says. "I give a lot of space to everyone, I don't tell anybody what to do. I treat them with respect. I think I'm very giving as an actor and I find it easy to be friendly.

"I share a good relationship with Kajol who I treat like a little sister; with Madhuri, who has a terrific sense of humour; and with Juhi, because we practically started our careers together. And, quite often, sharing a flop brings you closer to a person.

"I offer my co-stars normal courtesies. Like, if one of them doesn't have their car available I offer them mine and see they reached home safety."

Shah Rukh and his marriage to girlfriend Gauri has been written about ad nauseum. At times, one feels the relationship hasn't measured up to Shah Rukh's expectations.

Gauri, who was his childhood sweetheart, treats her husband as any other guy. Not part of the film industry herself, she also keeps away from shoots etc, unless she is accompanying him somewhere.

Otherwise, she has her own pursuits. And now, with a baby to look after, she appears even more complete while Shah Rukh looks in need of some acknowledgement yet.

He says candidly, "Seeing Gauri and Aryan together is wonderful, I'm not jealous, but Gauri has never been physically very demonstrative while I have been. But when she's with our son, the way she showers him with love is a pleasure to watch.

"Gauri is very unpretentious as a person; she's outspoken and isn't given to diplomacy. She's everything I'm not. Sometimes when we're at a party together, I am struck by her grace -- she has these society manners, while I don't.

"Honestly, sometimes I meet my co-stars at parties I don't talk to them because they dress and behave so..."

Though Shah Rukh has fans by the million, his open declarations of love for his wife has kept gossip-mongers at bay. The duo is frequently seen at popular restaurants, dining and partying with friends.

And where his films are concerned, he admitted to having learnt something from Mani Ratnam though their film together, Dil Se, failed. But it certainly marked the maturing of Shah Rukh Khan as an actor. Today he has everything a man could ask for. And if there is anything more he can achieve, well, he'll just have to identify it for himself.