Shah Rukh Khan: Why Only a Feminist, I'd Like to Be a Woman

Let’s get this straight: SRK refuses to be called a feminist. If feminism means aiming to be equal to men, Shah Rukh Khan believes we’re aiming too low. In a tell-all to Tanya Chaitanya, Bollywood’s wittiest superstar reveals why he believes he is the change, what his expectations from his maybe-an-actor-someday daughter Suhana are, and the reason he’s ordered elder son Aryan to keep his shirt on at all times!

- Tanya Chaitanya

The deal with Shah Rukh Khan is that he knows his audience too well. You could be sitting with a tub of popcorn in a dark theatre or clamouring for a selfie outside Mannat or sitting across him in the library inside with your recorder on, hanging on to every word he says—he will give you exactly what you want. I’m prepared for the man with the world’s most famous S-shaped eyebrows, impeccable timing and near-perfect way with words. It’s the unsuspecting bibliophile in me who’s completely blown away by his eclectic collection of Bill Brysons, Murakamis, ancient texts and a new version of the Gita that ‘Jaya aunty’ gifted him—I almost don’t hear him asking for the interview to start. With mock-annoyance he asks me to interview his books instead and I sheepishly punch on the recorder for the Raees star.

Where does your love for the printed word come from?

When I was a child, my father used to get me Russian books; in those days, they were inexpensive, priced at `2 or lower. From Rumi to Ghalib, all the reading (I do) is because of my father. I’m a voracious reader and have no particular hang-ups about only enjoying physical books—I like reading on the Kindle just as much.

Do your kids share your interest in reading?

My daughter Suhana (16) and son Aryan (19) have to finish reading all the books in this room (extends arms to cover the length and breadth of his library) before they can do anything else professionally.

I’ve heard that Suhana is interested in pursuing acting—what’s your take as a father?