Fan

Fan (2016)
Dir. Maneesh Sharma
Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Mariola Jaworska

Fans like many others, are men (or women) of ambition, though it’s the society that ranks their goals unworthy or of little consequence. A fan doesn’t seek to rival its star, or replace him/her in magnitude – all it seeks is acknowledgement – like a one-sided lover who knows and accepts his/her situation, and still continues pursuit.

SRK returns to his roots – a wheatish complexioned hero that would lure audiences (and love interests) from his charm rather than righteousness of his characters or his looks (say from Baazigar, or Darr, or even the similar double role in Duplicate). And he remains one of the few stars (and the only Khan) that still fulfills as an actor. While most stars of his stature would try to produce films that put them in roles that are righteous, and give out audience (and business friendly) climax, he still remains willing to roles that lie outside comfort zones, and deliver, despite all its flaws, a film that wants you to think about it after you leave your seat in the theater (Gaurav Chanana (the fan) says to Aryan Khanna (the star)- almost as a joke directed on the ultra-easy moviegoer –  रहन दे , तू नहीं समझेगा ).

For those people whose lives are in constant scrutiny and relies on their ever available personality, humility doesn’t come as a natural trait  – it becomes a decision, a skill honed by persistence – many stars can’t remain humble throughout, even if they wish too; others embrace the other side of humility (read Kanye West). It seems likely that SRK himself has faced similar situations – and tries to maintain his off screen image that keeps him lovable all the times.

The film dwells on this destructive conflict of a angered fan and a stubborn star (you can change the adjectives for the fan and the star, it will still be apt) played brilliantly by SRK on either side. The chase and action sequences are too long and attention deficit – a successful conclusion could have still have been reached by trimming them. Nevertheless, the filmmakers are able to sketch out and trace two characters, either of which you can understand, but can’t appreciate – a destructive fan set out to defame its idol, to make him apologize, for defying his love, denying even a small bit of acknowledgement, and star, trying to maintain legal correctness, forgetting the source of his power, his fandom –  the film ends on a uncomfortable note, but one that sounds true to its characters –  a god is as valid as its followers.

3.5/5