The 2009-10 tenure marked a period when the political and social presence of two significant leaders in the state was waning, with Modi being seen as a future prime minister and Rahul Gandhi facing criticism and far-fetched campaigning. During this time, a larger mechanism was surely at play. First Sonia Gandhi, and then Rahul Gandhi, rejected the post of Prime Minister. Although Rahul Gandhi declined the position, he did not reduce his attention on his tours and party organization. Many Bollywood celebrities supported Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. Shahrukh Khan often expressed his personal views, balancing practical and political needs. Even today, he voices his thoughts directly and indirectly without antagonizing the government.
After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Muslims in India were struggling to prove their patriotism amid growing national and global perceptions that equated Muslims with terrorism. Both major national parties exploited this sentiment: the BJP raised the issue of Hindu insecurity, while the Congress highlighted the problem of Hindu extremism. Despite Congress's efforts, which were seen as partial and limited, they faced significant losses in the 2014 elections.
To understand Shah Rukh Khan's role, we need to delve into history. Television serials like Hum Log, Tamas, and Fauji, which depicted sensitive issues such as division, bigotry, and brotherhood, had a profound impact on him. For an individual, success and dreams are important, but so are societal and regional stability. The 1990s were a challenging period for Mumbai and Maharashtra, but it was also a fragile time for Mumbai's cinema industry.
During a time when prominent actors were willing to sacrifice their lives, money, and self-respect for Mumbai's gangsters, Shah Rukh Khan took a different stance and resisted such influences. He understood that stability and peace between Hindus and Muslims were crucial for survival in Mumbai. Unlike other so-called superstars who succumbed to the pressures of addiction, power, and lust, Shah Rukh maintained his integrity. During the 1993 Mumbai blasts, while Sanjay Dutt and others were implicated, Shah Rukh upheld his belief that humanity transcends religion, even supporting Sanjay Dutt as a friend during difficult times.
In the 1991 elections, the BJP effectively promoted its Hindutva agenda, transitioning from having only two seats in 1982 to becoming the main opposition party in the country..
Religious polarization in India was growing strongly. Although India entered the 21st century, it seemed to be regressing to the 18th century. Even today, much of the criticism directed at Modi targets the Gandhi family or Congress for the same reasons. Modi understands the Congress system and the influence of the Gandhi surname.
In 2000, Kamal Haasan's film Ek Gandhi-Godse, which commented on the two ideologies, featured Shah Rukh Khan, who acted for free and later bought the film's rights. Shah Rukh often uses his work and behavior to express himself, communicating with the masses without directly criticizing the government or any particular leader. It is likely that Shah Rukh will re-release the movie Hey Ram one day.
In 2011, supporting the Anna Hazare movement was a practical stance, relevant at the time because Indian citizens were fed up with the system, and Congress was seen as the embodiment of that system. Congress supporters did not label anyone as stupid or anti-national.
My Name is Khan might be a film for us, but for Shah Rukh, it depicted a nightmare scenario of how society could be judged by the actions of a few. He emphasized that, despite being a Muslim, he could not condone terrorism. In every religion, a few fanatics try to monopolize their beliefs. After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Shah Rukh stated this view. The Shiv Sena party began to change after this movie; even Balasaheb Thackeray's warnings did not cause an outcry in Maharashtra or Mumbai. The focus shifted to Raj Thackeray's issue of Marathi identity. The film succeeded and conveyed Shah Rukh's message to the masses.
During 2014, the perception that Shah Rukh was a Pakistan lover and fanatic reached its peak, affecting his films. However, his popularity and financial success remained intact. Some people deliberately avoided his films, not because they were bad, but because of his statement in 2013-2014 that religious tension was increasing in India, making him feel uneasy. Later, Shah Rukh aligned himself with the BJP and similar parties out of necessity, praising Modi, but the stigma of being a 'Pakistan lover' persisted. The increasing use of social media, media dedication, and religious fervor heavily impacted Shah Rukh, and he tried to prove his patriotism and Indian identity in various ways. Despite the sensitive environment, he attempted a comeback with Raees, addressing themes of religious differences, humanity, and bigotry. Watching the movie reveals Shah Rukh's anger and the messages conveyed through his dialogues.
Between 2021-2022, Rahul Gandhi attempted to change the pitch of the Lok Sabha elections but was unsuccessful due to Modi's superior speaking style, influence, and social media reach. As it was impossible for the BJP to fight solely on money, organization, and program, the Congress think tank decided to focus on a virtual issue that resonated with the people—'Love Shop'. Rahul Gandhi launched the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra of 2022-2023, a strategy the BJP lacked. This was evident when the public embraced Shah Rukh's comeback film Pathaan despite the controversy over the saffron bikini role before its release. The public opposed religious and communal interference in personal matters and showed their discontent by watching the film rather than boycotting it. For the first time in history, a prime minister warned his spokespersons and ministers not to comment on a film unnecessarily. While this may seem routine, Pathaan's success was a significant political and cultural event ahead of the 2024 elections. The BJP adopted a more flexible stance, while Rahul Gandhi and Congress advanced their 'Daro Mat' and 'Mohabbat ki Dukan' messages. Although Pathaan marked Shah Rukh's return after five years, it also served as a litmus test for both Congress and BJP.
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