Ever since Aamir Khan refused to play the legendary cosmonaut, Rakesh Sharma in the forthcoming biopic, the question loomed large: Who else? But in a surprising move, the legendary actor has laid the doubts to rest by recommending popular actor Shah Rukh Khan for the same role.
Aamir explained why despite his fondness for the topic, he couldn’t go ahead with the movie. He said “It is a great script. I loved the script and the story of Mr Rakesh Sharma is fascinating. It is true that I called up Shah (Shah Rukh). I said, ‘Shah you should hear the script, it is fantastic. It will be right for you, if you like it’. I am glad he liked the script and he is doing it.”
As of now, the producers are tight lipped on the other cast members and according to Siddharth Roy Kapur, who is producing the movie along with Ronnie Screwvala’s iconic RSVP Pictures, an announcement of the official cast shall be made soon, as reported to PTI. The movie will go on floors by early 2019, as per press reports.
This is not the first time that SRK was recommended by his contemporary for some major role. Even ‘Zero’ was not SRK’s first choice. It was first offered to Salman Khan, who later recommended SRK for the same. Aamir Khan was extremely appreciative of this move in his current press brief and he said “this is how the things should officially work amongst contemporary actors”.
For those unaware, Rakesh Sharma is a retired Wing Commander from the Indian Air Force, who is the first and the only Indian to have traveled in outer space, aboard a research mission on Soyuz T 11 in 1982. When asked by the then PM, Indira Gandhi as to how India looked from outer space, he echoed the famous words, ‘Saare Jahan se Achcha’, penned by once nationalist turned separatist, Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
To be honest, it has been more than two years since SRK did a meaningful role. The last time he looked to give his best efforts in any movie, was when he essayed the role of the psychologist Dr. Jahangir Khan in the iconic Alia Bhatt starrer ‘Dear Zindagi’.
Except that, his movies have settled in a sort of dreary cocoon. The superstar refuses to adopt the versatility he was once well known for. From ‘Chennai Express’ to ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’, there has hardly been any change in SRK’s choice of roles. Even though he apparently showed some promise in his latest movie trailer, ‘Zero’, there has not been an enthusiastic response from the audience on the same.
As such, it would be more than heartening for us to see this actor in a different avatar, for we haven’t forgotten the charm he displayed as the unconventional but resolute coach Kabir Khan in the iconic film ‘Chak De India’. Once an actor who never hesitated from taking risks, this is the acid test for SRK, that could make or break his career.