‘I call him the great magician’

In some northern provinces of India, the word 'baazigar' carries a unique meaning—derived from Persian roots, the word means 'magician.' The baazigar community has traditionally embraced magic as their profession. We usually think of magicians as illusionists—capturing audiences' attention for only a fleeting moment. But in Bollywood, the king of all baazigars, Shah Rukh Khan, has been enchanting viewers for over three decades.

The title of 'superstar' isn't exclusive to Bollywood as many actors bear that title. Yet, Shah Rukh Khan is unmatched in the world of true, global stardom. Back in 2007, Indian journalist Anupama Chopra boldly declared that Shah Rukh is a bigger star than Hollywood legends like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. But what exactly has embedded him so deeply into the hearts of millions worldwide? Is it just his acting, or is there something more magical in play?

In Bengali, baazigar has evolved into 'bazikor,' which signifies a person who desires victory and is willing to do anything to win. Khan embodies this spirit. He's synonymous with courage, high stakes, and unshakable faith in himself. Take, for instance, a 1994 episode of "Aap Ki Adalat", where host Rajat Sharma questioned why he wasn't signing more than four films at a time. Khan's response was, "My four films are worth 40." Bold, confident, and unapologetic—that is just his style.

On "The Anupam Kher Show", he famously proclaimed, "I am the last of the stars." Some might call it arrogance, but to Shah Rukh Khan himself, it is a manifestation of self-belief. "If I don't believe in myself," he says, "how can I even get out of bed and work in the morning?" It's this self-belief that has fuelled his entire career. From the outset, Shah Rukh took risks that others wouldn't dare—like his iconic negative roles in "Darr" and "Baazigar". 

By playing the antihero, he shattered the utopic connotation of the word 'hero' on the silver screen. He showed that even flawed individuals could wear the hero's crown and that a hero is nothing more than an ordinary person. He then went on to eventually earn himself the title 'King of Romance,' where he redefined love's tender expressions on screen through numerous films. 

However, his reign wasn't established just through love stories. Khan's success coincided with a transformative period for India, marked by the government's 1991 LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization) policy. It catapulted the country's economy and its film industry onto the global stage. His rise overlapped with a period of economic and technological growth in India. His debut film, "Deewana", was released in 1992, just as the country's media landscape and consumer market were expanding. 

Through his films, Shah Rukh brought Indian culture and sentiments of patriotism to the screen, capturing the hearts of the Indian diaspora. Khan's influence spread beyond the borders of the country, not just as an actor but as a mediator of culture. He didn't stop at films. Shah Rukh Khan became a brand himself. His face graced ads for countless products, making him recognisable even to those who hadn't seen his movies. For millions, Shah Rukh Khan is more than an actor; he is a household name.

Of course, no star shines without casting some shadows. Shah Rukh has faced criticism for his acting style, with some calling it 'overacting' or even claiming, 'a hero shouldn't look like this.' But rather than deflecting these critiques, Shah Rukh embraces them. This is where the true strength of his persona lies—he doesn't hide from the naysayers. 

In the face of political and religious tensions under the current BJP government, Khan has notably maintained his grace. In recent years, he has repeatedly faced backlash from Hindutva groups. Last year, a song from the film "Pathaan", titled "Besharam Rang", sparked controversy. Actress Deepika Padukone was seen dancing in a saffron-coloured outfit alongside a Muslim hero in the song. Some claimed this insulted Hinduism. Extremist Hindutva groups tore down "Pathaan" posters and vandalised his images. Yet, "Pathaan" triumphed at the box office. 

At his core, Shah Rukh Khan's appeal lies in his ability to inspire love and to reflect the raw emotions of the human experience on and off the screen. Sociologists often talk about the divide between the 'personal self' and 'social self,' but for Shah Rukh Khan, the lines have blurred. To his fans, he's both the star and the everyman—someone they see themselves in.

Many actors entertain, but few truly touch the heart. Shah Rukh Khan does both, and he does so effortlessly. He's more than just the King of Bollywood; he's the magician who has cast a spell on the world. As he once told Anupam Kher, the secret to his success is simple, "Hard work." When Anupam pressed on, saying, "But we all work hard!" Khan's reply was swift as he said, "The real hard work begins after success. I've worked harder since I became successful, and I still do."

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For ordinary people like ourselves, Shah Rukh Khan represents dreams fulfilled on the silver screen—every joy, every sorrow, every hope, and every triumph. He is, without a doubt, a pure entertainer and a true magician in every sense of the word. He is, as poet Syed Shamsul Haque wrote about magicians, "The one I call a great magician, he who can wave his napkin in the pit of the heart."

Translated by Minhazul Abedin