Prahlad Kakkar: At 50, Shah Rukh Khan Will Become Another Amitabh Bachchan
Prahlad Kakkar, who has directed Shah Rukh Khan in many commercials, has developed a certain proximity with the superstar over the years. As SRK celebrates his 50th birthday today, the ad guru demystifies the Baadshah of Bollywood.
Prahlad Kakkar, who has directed Shah Rukh Khan in many commercials, has developed a certain proximity with the superstar over the years. As SRK celebrates his 50th birthday today, the ad guru demystifies the Baadshah of Bollywood. Here are the excerpts from an exclusive conversation with the ad guru:
Shah Rukh Khan turns 50 today. With his current slate of films, do you think he's just discovered the actor in him?
There's nothing sudden about his choices. He's the only Bollywood hero they could never typecast. He became a stuttering villain and got away with it in Darr (1993). The only time they wanted to stereotype him was when Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) released. Every woman, man, director and producer wanted to make another DDLJ with him. Shah Rukh defies convention. He's a risk taker, a fly, an entrepreneur and visionary. The minute you put him into a box and say this is what you are, he'll surprise you with something, he'll jump out of the box.
Was he always willing to tap into virtually untapped zones?
Yeah! He is willing to go into areas no one wants to and he refuses to be stereotyped. You make him into a hero and he'll go play a villain and get away with it. How many heroes at the height of their career do that? KKKK...Kiran (Darr) is widely recalled. He did it with style.
Image Source: imgarcade
How do you define SRK?
He's a committed guy. And his commitment is the same for a feature, documentary or an ad. He will sit with the director, put him and his team at ease and listen to everyone. We were shooting a noodle film with him and the bowls I'd selected went missing. I screamed and shouted, people hid. Shah Rukh, I remember, was listening. I was furious because in the middle of the shoot, continuity bowls went missing with the product in it. He placated my assistants, because they were shivering in their pants. SRK came, put an arm around me and assured me we'd do the entire shoot again. When does a star do that? In the middle of Film City once, I remember, he saw my unit and me shooting a public service film with urchins. He stopped the car, met us and then moved on. We were so overwhelmed. For so many such sheer moments, I'd never let anyone criticise him. He's a feeling gentleman!
What do you think will happen to his brand endorsements? Will that change?
At 50, he'll become another Amitabh Bachchan who can do anything and endorse anything with ease. The cola giants wanted younger faces instead of him, but trust me, he'll be back there because even youngsters want an icon like him; they all want to be like him when they turn 50. SRK is like Mr Bachchan who defies all logic. He can have a great time with kids, play with them and the kids don't think Amit ji is any older than them. And he can convincingly endorse a suiting brand in the same breath. Same is the case with SRK. He is gone beyond stereotyping. Most people end when the stereotype crashes. SRK and Mr Bachchan don't!
Image Source: desi-box
Thumbnail Image Source: supergoodmovies and facebook/IamSRK
Want to wish King Khan on his special day? Send your wishes on our facebook/SpotboyE or on twitter/SpotboyETheShow using these Hashtags #SRKday #HappyBirthdayShahRukh #SRKrules #HappyBirthdayKingKhan #HBKK
Shah Rukh Khan turns 50 today. With his current slate of films, do you think he's just discovered the actor in him?
There's nothing sudden about his choices. He's the only Bollywood hero they could never typecast. He became a stuttering villain and got away with it in Darr (1993). The only time they wanted to stereotype him was when Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) released. Every woman, man, director and producer wanted to make another DDLJ with him. Shah Rukh defies convention. He's a risk taker, a fly, an entrepreneur and visionary. The minute you put him into a box and say this is what you are, he'll surprise you with something, he'll jump out of the box.
Was he always willing to tap into virtually untapped zones?
Yeah! He is willing to go into areas no one wants to and he refuses to be stereotyped. You make him into a hero and he'll go play a villain and get away with it. How many heroes at the height of their career do that? KKKK...Kiran (Darr) is widely recalled. He did it with style.
How do you define SRK?
He's a committed guy. And his commitment is the same for a feature, documentary or an ad. He will sit with the director, put him and his team at ease and listen to everyone. We were shooting a noodle film with him and the bowls I'd selected went missing. I screamed and shouted, people hid. Shah Rukh, I remember, was listening. I was furious because in the middle of the shoot, continuity bowls went missing with the product in it. He placated my assistants, because they were shivering in their pants. SRK came, put an arm around me and assured me we'd do the entire shoot again. When does a star do that? In the middle of Film City once, I remember, he saw my unit and me shooting a public service film with urchins. He stopped the car, met us and then moved on. We were so overwhelmed. For so many such sheer moments, I'd never let anyone criticise him. He's a feeling gentleman!
What do you think will happen to his brand endorsements? Will that change?
At 50, he'll become another Amitabh Bachchan who can do anything and endorse anything with ease. The cola giants wanted younger faces instead of him, but trust me, he'll be back there because even youngsters want an icon like him; they all want to be like him when they turn 50. SRK is like Mr Bachchan who defies all logic. He can have a great time with kids, play with them and the kids don't think Amit ji is any older than them. And he can convincingly endorse a suiting brand in the same breath. Same is the case with SRK. He is gone beyond stereotyping. Most people end when the stereotype crashes. SRK and Mr Bachchan don't!
Thumbnail Image Source: supergoodmovies and facebook/IamSRK
Want to wish King Khan on his special day? Send your wishes on our facebook/SpotboyE or on twitter/SpotboyETheShow using these Hashtags #SRKday #HappyBirthdayShahRukh #SRKrules #HappyBirthdayKingKhan #HBKK
