FAN: Review

After Happy New Year and Dilwale, critics and online journalists were of the opinion that Shah Rukh Khan, "the actor", is now gone. I have only one thing to say to all those people-
In your faces.

Fan is definitely a fine display of Shah Rukh Khan's skills. In this unconventional thriller, Shah Rukh plays a double role- super star Aaryan Khanna and his greatest fan, Gaurav Chandna. He fits into both roles seamlessly. His portrayal of Gaurav Chandna showcases his acting prowess in the best possible manner. Aaryan Khanna is somewhat like Shah Rukh himself. While it is the easier of the two roles to perform, it was done perfectly.
Gaurav Chandna is an average Delhi boy who runs a cyber cafe. But what is unique about him is that he not only worships Aaryan Khanna, he also looks somewhat like him. Every year, Gaurav imitates Aaryan in a competition organised in their locality and never fails to win. It is his dream to meet Aaryan on his birthday, give him a hug and give his trophy to him. However, there is a fine line between love and obsession. When events take an unexpected turn, a  psychotic beast awakes in Gaurav and this sweet boy from a humble background transforms into a rather scary personality.
But if you ask me, when you read between the lines, Fan conveys lots of messages.
I have been a Shah Rukh fan for 14 years and I relate to Gaurav in many ways. Meeting Shah Rukh and going to Mannat on 2nd November are definitely in the list of the many things I want to do. As he puts it- It all begins with a connection and this connection is really a strange thing when you think about it. Loving people who do not even know of your existence more than yourself is probably the weirdest thing to do. To be honest, I couldnt give you one good reason as to why I do this except maybe the line in the movie, "Tu nahi samjhega."
But my perception of what a true fan is varies from that of Gaurav Chandna's and is essentially what the movie tries to convey. Being a fan is amazing. It lifts us up in our worst times. However, forgetting about your own identity? Probably not the best idea.
It isnt just about making it to first day, first shows. It is about being inspired by the hard work they put in to achieve what they have. So be it Shah Rukh Khan or JK Rowling or whoever, their story inspires me more than anything. Having said that, Fan also tells us that fans make superstars.
Although there was one loose end (sort of) in the plot as to how Gaurav got the resources to pull off all that he did, the movie left me thinking for a long time. I have to say, I'm pleased to see Shah Rukh Khan back to his old ways. This was his show. Another great aspect is the fact that it is a songless movie, a decision that I think was wise. Songs would have diluted the effect the movie creates. Songless movies are rare in Bollywood and I do not think commercial actors and superstars have made movies like that yet. Apart from that, the vfx was impressive and the action sequences were great.
Through this dramatic storyline Fan explores this strange celebrity-fan relationship.
Great direction, brilliant acting. What more do you want? Fan is definitely worth watching. I fell in love with Shah Rukh all over again.