Will you remain my Shah Rukh?

I think you know what I mean. My respect for you went up one hundred per cent, when during the NDTV awards show earlier in the year, you spoke about corruption in politics. You were able to stand on stage and even tell Rahul Gandhi that he was not so young anymore, that he should get on with it. But the best bit came when, after collecting the award from the prime minister, you lithely hopped down from the stage and strolled back to your seat, without the usual scraping and bowing. Sitting in the audience that day I wanted to get up and applaud. It was a shocking but strangely wonderful moment. And very liberating. It showed a self-confidence, because Shah Rukh, you have come so far on your own.

You have now shown your skill at business management — in creating a buzz through your Red Chillies production house and now in cricket. Much more than the matches in Amethi, it is the IPL that is attracting interest, it is the IPL that is going to fund training grounds for new kids on the block, and the IPL that is going to create new entertainment modules for TV audiences. It is going prepare us for the Commonwealth Games, hopefully, with the country finally recognising that Indian pride can be evoked the world over through sports. I saw excerpts of your Kolkata Knightriders video in London on the BBC news, as bemused British sports announcers couldn’t quite figure out what to say about this screen icon who is both ‘hot’ and ‘cool’ while he dances, singing about cricket. Dancing? Singing? I say, old boy, this isn’t quite cricket is it? It was another glorious moment.

All of this, Shah Rukh has been done outside the establishment. You know, as well as the rest of the world, that India’s growth story has been fuelled not by the government and the mantris but by entrepreneurs like you who have struggled and fought the good fight on your own. Why would you want to be co-opted into the very system that will do everything to use you, and then corrupt you?

I know you dislike comparisons with the Big B, but remember how much he suffered and continues to suffer. All of that, they say, dates back to his one big mistake: to fight an election in Allahabad. It almost destroyed him and his reputation. It left him bankrupt, and friendless. He has taken years to recover. But those were his best years.

Look at all the other politicians who left acting careers which they thought were ending to join parliament. What happened to them? Most of them have been sidelined and humiliated. It is only their personal goodwill, built up not as politicians but as screen idols, which has given them the respect they deserve.

But the main reason I disagree with Shobhaa is when she says that you have ‘done’ with acting. I think you still have a long, long way to go. You gave us a taste of your acting skills, when you played your age as Kabir Khan in Chak De India. In fact, for many years you have simply gone with the flow and played Shah Rukh Superstar in most of your films. Obviously, you have not got the challenging roles you deserve. Why not invest some time in developing those roles now?

Shah Rukh, more people believe in your cinema than they believe in any politician. More people can be influenced by you the entertainer than the neta.

I know political parties will be falling over backwards to lure you into their lair. They will tell you how much of a difference you can make if you simply back them or their policies. But Shah Rukh, they need you more than you need them. And once they have you in their grasp, you will be devalued. This is the time to stand back and say that your fans who have supported your career, bought tickets for your shows, also deserve your respect. They have voted you in as a Superstar, as an actor. Let them carry on voting for you as just that.

Desai is author of ‘Darlingji: The True Love Story Of Nargis & Sunil Dutt’