#HappyBirthdayShahRukhKhan: SRK is the eternal paradox. Here's why
Shah Rukh Khan has given us cinema-lovers a lot — he taught us to dream and chase our dreams, he taught us to love unconditionally, he taught us to achieve fearlessly.
But several of his dailogues also taught us certain things that, subliminally, conditioned an entire generation in ways they could have avoided.
Think, for instance, of his deadly love in Darr, and now picture yourself being stalked, harassed, even kidnapped.
Sure, your heart bleeds when he dies because you’re a fan — but dude, no, it’s not okay.
Okay, so Darr is one extreme. How about Yes Boss? How is it okay to trick someone, even as you realise yourself that you’re doing a terrible thing, just because your boss tells you to?
Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna goes into a totally different zone altogether. Okay, you may find love while you’re already in a different relationship, but do the right thing — give your partner the closure she deserves, before you smack them on the concrete floor!
And don’t even get me started on the Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, crop of films. His 'Raj'or 'Rahul' or whoever taught us to be sexists, narcissistic, chauvinistic and more.
We’ve listed five of his most iconic dialogues that shaped part of his career — and also some of our worldview.
Bade bade deshon mein aisi choti choti baatein … hoti rehti hai Senorita – Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
What is choti choti baatein? What’s small for you may be a big deal for me! And by saying this, you’re only trivialising and dismissing my stand.
This, my friend, is the start of the ‘mansplaining’ revolution that reached its peak when Ranbir Kapoor shushed Katrina Kaif during Jagga Jasoos promotions.
See how it shaped an entire generation?
Hum ek baar jeete hai, ek baar marte hai, shaadi bhi ek baar hoti hai … aur pyar ek baar hi hota hai – Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
And then he goes ahead and falls in love once again — and even walks down the aisle a second time! Some nerve to NOT practice what you preached!
Ek tarfa pyaar ki taaqat hi kuch aur hoti hai… yeh rishtoh ki tarah do logon mein nahi badti.. sirf mera haqq hai iss pe... – Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Warring: Stalker Alert!
This seemingly deep line can potentially go in two very different directions.
This ek tarfa pyaar either turns into an obsession or it could plonk you in a bottomless pit of depression. No, ek tarfa pyaar is dangerous, futile, tiring, and there’s nothing cute or romantic about it. You’re either unable to understand consent, or you’re basically robbing yourself of the option of being happy. Get some help!
Tu haan kar yah naa kar, tu hain meri Kiran – Darr
Speaking of consent, here’s a case study in what’s wrong with half the nation. This is what ek tarfa pyaar does to you — making you incapable of understanding the other person’s point of view, incapable of taking no for an answer, simply incapable of understanding what you’re doing is wrong and why.
Hamari filmo ki tarah, hamari zindagi mein bhi end tak sab kuch thik ho hi jaata hai … Happys Endings – Om Shanti Om
So what are you going to call the films with sad endings, then??
First of all, life is not cinema, so naturally its rules do not apply to life. Sometimes, it IS the ending — of a friendship, a relationship, a bitter chapter in your life — that matters, for only after that can you begin again. Holding on in the hope of reaching a 'happy ending' is ridiculous. Move on.
For a man who preaches love and who, in real life, embodies IQ, some of SRK's screen characters have also preached dimness.
The question is, which lesson are we willing to take from SRK?