It is currently Thu Oct 30, 2025 7:12 am

View unanswered posts | View active topics


Board index » Indian Media Forums » General

All times are UTC




Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 1
  [ 2 posts ] 
  Previous topic | Next topic 
Author Message
dograk
PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2003 11:12 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2002 5:31 pm
Posts: 630
The Makings of a Superstar

- Shailesh Kapoor



Seven weeks ago, I had opined: “In more than 100 years of its existence, Bollywood has produced less than a handful of superstars. My list reads Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Yes, that last name always raises more than a few eyebrows. I promise to present my case very soon.”

With no releases lined up in the immediate future, now is the time. Is Shah Rukh Khan a superstar? Does he belong to that elite group which long-standing cine-icons like Raj Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Jeetendra, Anil Kapoor and Ajay Devgan have never managed to break into? The group called Superstars?

To initiate this debate, we must examine what the term “Superstar” means. The word “Star” by itself connotes something inaccessible. A glittering thing up there in the sky, too far to touch, but close enough to admire. That’s how celebrities came to be known as “stars” in the first place.

“Superstar” is just an extension of “Star”. It makes the community all the more selective. So, while there may be many “stars” living a swanky life far away from the madness of the Mumbai traffic and local trains, you need that extra something to be called the “superstar.”



What is this extra something all about? It’s not the acting or the looks. Some of the most versatile actors (Sanjeev Kumar and Motilal) and good-looking heroes (Rishi Kapoor and Arjun Rampal) never managed the aura you associate with a superstar.

Superstar is about making a difference to the public’s life. It’s not just about being inaccessible. It’s also about being wanted to be accessible. It’s about inviting attention all the time. It’s about that smile that you can bring to a grim face in the most testing circumstances. It’s about something special.



Dilip Kumar was a brilliant actor who reinvented the genre of tragedy in Hindi cinema. His powerful voice and unique mannerisms made him one of the most respected stars of all time.

Rajesh Khanna was a phenomenon. Khanna had hundreds of women (single and married) marrying his photograph in the 60s and the 70s. Unlike Hrithik Roshan, who witnessed a somewhat similar phenomenon in 2000, Khanna’s charm lasted two decades.

Amitabh Bachchan is the boss of them all. When the Coolie accident happened, thousands of Indians prayed day in and day out for his life.

Shah Rukh Khan. Bad actor? That’s another debate. But superstar? Yes. Is there another star whose back problems will get daily updates on the front page of leading national newspapers? Or someone who kids are better known than some of their father’s contemporaries? Vivek Oberoi or Vikram Oberoi, people still confuse. But Aryan and Suhana they all know.

I have been a witness to over 20 film award ceremonies in the last 10 years, some live, some on television. Only two things excite the crowds unequivocally. One, when the camera pans on Rekha while Amitabh Bachchan is on the stage. Two, when it pans on Shah Rukh Khan. Even if he’s sitting dead as a duck, it’s cool enough for a loud cheer.

It’s said Shah Rukh is overrated. The man has attitude. He knows how to market himself. He can make the press eat out of his hands because of how he treats them. Fair enough. But do the masses care about all this?

No. They just care about their superstar. The Shah Rukh they adore when he retorts to Chandramukhi in Devdas: “Saansein leti ho, Chandramukhi?” Or to the doctor in Saathiya (who pointed to the skies and said: Ab wohi bata sakta hai): “Who?”

There are seasonal hits. Hrithik was one, Kumar Gaurav another. But the real thing is not temporal. It is enduring and impactful. Shah Rukh’s persona is just that.

If Shah Rukh Khan speaks about how to put butter on a toast and gets headline on the dozen rookie new channels in India, I won’t pinch myself. That’s what we call a superstar.


--
even if you don't agree with the article, (altho I def do agree :) ), you have to admit there is some merit in what is said...



Edited By dograk on 1051227257
Top
 Profile  
 
congress
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Apr 25, 2003 1:55 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2001 11:29 am
Posts: 1028
Location: Singapore
dograk wrote:
I have been a witness to over 20 film award ceremonies in the last 10 years, some live, some on television. Only two things excite the crowds unequivocally. One, when the camera pans on Rekha while Amitabh Bachchan is on the stage. Two, when it pans on Shah Rukh Khan. Even if he’s sitting dead as a duck, it’s cool enough for a loud cheer.

It’s said Shah Rukh is overrated. The man has attitude. He knows how to market himself. He can make the press eat out of his hands because of how he treats them. Fair enough. But do the masses care about all this?

No. They just care about their superstar. The Shah Rukh they adore when he retorts to Chandramukhi in Devdas: “Saansein leti ho, Chandramukhi?” Or to the doctor in Saathiya (who pointed to the skies and said: Ab wohi bata sakta hai): “Who?”

lol...People take this Superstar thing too seriously. SRK is great though...
Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 1
  [ 2 posts ] 

Board index » Indian Media Forums » General

All times are UTC


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group