New Delhi: "Give me a cigarette, will you?" Abhimanyu Rai's opening lines in the now-iconic 1988 television series Fauji was to stay with him for the next 20 years, even as he evolved from a lanky gentleman cadet to a nanosuit-clad game character with artificial intelligence advising all to kick the habit.
The jolly 80s set a milestone in mass entertainment with the import of psychedelic prints, mogra jewellery, colour television and small screen programming. Government-owned channel Doordarshan beamed the ultra-popular mythological series Ramayana and Mahabharata.
With extravagant sets, foil-wrapped bows and arrows, poor graphics and excessive hamming by stage actors, both the mega-series, and especially Mahabharata gripped a nation new to the phenomena that was television.
But Fauji, and especially its lead protagonist Rai, played by a then 23-year-old Shah Rukh Khan, burst into the scene with tremendous energy. The mannerisms that have earned him both brickbats and endeared him to his fans over the years – that half nod, raised brow gesture, a deep dimpled smile and a deliberate stammer – were absent when he debuted.
If he picked them up later to adapt to the big screen, they stayed for the rest of his acting career. When Khan debuted on TV, actors were bred at drama schools and had to undergo a regimented training. Twenty-three was a good age to start much as in any other career. It was quite unlike TV actors of today who mostly start from modelling backgrounds as early as 16 with little or no coaching and earning triple what TV actors earned in the 80s and 90s.
Khan himself studied acting under theatre director Barry John at Delhi's Theatre Action Group and the discipline stayed with him throughout his career.
Fauji, Ummeed, Circus – the turning point
Khan's role as the unruly and irresponsible younger brother of an army officer in Fauji left audiences spellbound as the series itself marked the beginning of structured and content-oriented programme targeted at India's burgeoning middle-class.
With a slightly flat nose, ordinary looks but intelligent and expressive eyes, Khan's initial acting style was unlike anything he modulated later to suit the larger screen and dramas he was being continually offered.
A guest appearance in the series Ummeed in 1989 had him playing a bespectacled bank officer. Circus, the brilliant documentation of the lives of circus artistes, was waiting to happen and when it did, Khan was the darling of the small screen. Everyone was talking of the hardworking young boy from Delhi, a prankster on the sets, with a natural affinity for drama and most importantly a great comic timing.
But Khan was still a struggling actor when he starred in Deewana in 1992 along with Bollywood stalwart Rishi Kapoor and newcomer Divya Bharati whose short life ended in a tragic death. It was his first romantic role.
Birth of the anti-hero and method acting
The Indian adaption of the Hollywood comic drama Blackbeard's Ghost earned Khan a part in Rajiv Mehra's Chamatkar. 1992 saw a slew of films starring Khan: Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Dil Ashna Hai and of course Deepa Sahi's controversial Maya Memsaab where he plays the possessive paramour of a sexually frustrated housewife caught up in an illicit relationship.
It was a turning point in Khan's life and as a new style of acting was emerging for the large screen that combined the sensibilities of the 70s and the preppy 90s lifestyle. Along with it came a drastic change in Khan's acting, removed from English drawing room style suited for a conservative TV audience to the expressive method acting fit for celluloid.
Baazigar, Darr and Anjaam had Khan playing the psychologically unstable anti-hero, a relatively new concept for the 90s audience. Khan's acting in these films has been panned by critics over the years but it hasn't taken away from the popularity of these films even 20 years after their release.
The 'K' connection
The phenomenal hit Kuch Kuch Hota Hai went on to become one of Bollywood's longest running films at theatres and grossed over Rs 180 crore. Many years later, Khan would hold his performance in the film close to heart as it immortalized the theme 'Love is Friendship' exploited later by many directors in successful films.
As all Hindi film industry professionals know, in the shifting sands of Bollywood only the sure-footed can weather the constant ups and downs, key to which is trying new things and making lasting and powerful friendships. Khan was one of the enviable few who had both. His association with filmmaker Karan Johar has come in handy over the years as both have benefitted from stupendous hits and a niche market of urban youths.
Khan has never been abashed about his acting Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and My Name Is Khan – all hugely successful family dramas.
What clicked for SRK?
Fondly called King Khan and Badshaah (after his film with the same title) of Bollywood, three things have worked in favour of the star whose popularity is equalled with the 70s matinee idol and legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.
Khan has systematically stayed away from politics and controversies. Exception to this is the incident of detention at an airport in the US at the time of the promotion of My Name is Khan when Khan accused the authorities of racism. But he rarely comments on political issues and steers clear of showing support to any particular political party.
In his earlier acting days Khan was often critiqued for arrogance, real or perceived. He has worked on his media skills since and his disarming courtesy is more apparent now as an acquired virtue.
An acute understanding of the business of filmmaking has ensured the roaring success of many of his ventures. His disastrous TV comeback taught him the valuable lesson of where his fanbase lay.
Has he evolved as an actor?
From the green-behind-the-ears educator in Chamatkar, the confused romantic falling prey to corporate greed in Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, the mighty king Asoka, to the game character G.One, there is no denying that Khan has tried his hand at many genres.
But his acting is dated and he rarely dares to step out of the tried path popular with his fans. Chak De India was a rare film that brought out the 'Khanism' with a fresh look and feel, mostly due to his controlled and understated acting as the coach to India’s women hockey team.
At 46, Khan finds himself in a mega role in both real and reel, as he tries to find challenging characters to play to stay relevant. He has been quoted as saying that he enjoys his stardom and does not care about the numbers game in the industry. He is assured of a middleaged but loyal fan base that has grown older with him.
Respected in the industry as the actor with most clout, Khan enjoys the support of powerhouse directors across the board.
Unlike popular belief, Khan did not have a smooth sail to stardom. He neither possesses filmstar looks nor does he come from a family of stars. His real legacy is of sweat and blood, mind numbing hard work and personal goals set very high.
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