With his legions of fans as far away as Melbourne, if anyone has the power to transform Indian film it’s superstar SRK
On a freezing cold night outside the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, a feverish crowd braves the spitting rain and bitter winds, restless, eager. The red carpet has been rolled out for the 10th annual Indian Film Festival in Melbourne and the Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan is this year’s guest of honour – and he’s running two hours late.
Khan, known simply as SRK, has starred in more than 80 feature films to date. His legions of fans include bespectacled aunties in sensible trainers, girls with glossy Parachute Coconut oiled hairdos, fidgety teens who pretend their parents haven’t accompanied them. “Where is he?” wails a young woman, rattling the barricade opposite Luna Park. Meanwhile, a soft, teasing chant of “Shah Rukh, Shah Rukh, Shah Rukh”starts up, as tabla players begin to circle.