SRK is more Politically Savvy than Big B

When Shah Rukh Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, at a recent function said that he is too good-looking to enter politics, he sure made a statement.

What sounded completely narcissistic to some was actually seen as political astuteness by many others.

A smart and confident SRK had managed to make a statement, like always, only this time it was minus the typical Bollywood histrionics.

So, when we at the TimesofIndia.com asked if SRK was, actually, more politically savvy than the Big B, Mr. Bachchan, there were more ‘ayes’ than ‘nays’.

A resounding 54 per cent said that yes, King Khan actually is more politically savvy than Big B.

And it doesn’t get better than this. The two titans who manage to set rumour mills work overtime with their individual and combined acts, make news by whatever they say. Or rather don’t say.

So when SRK said that he is too good-looking to enter politics, what did he mean? Was he actually making a reference to Sexy Sam getting a raw deal ala Bofors episode, his proximity to Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and former UP CM Mulayam Singh and the numerous ? Or was he referring to ‘politics is the last refuge of the scoundrels’ adage?

For Netizens, the verdict is clear. Ritesh Gupta from Mumbai feels that ''Amitabh Bachchan is continuously trying to associate himself with one or other political party but SRK never associated himself with any political party or person except friends.''

Lalit Badlani from Thane echoes his sentiments. ''SRK is more diplomatic than Big B as he knows how to tackle any situation more diplomatically than Mr. Bachchan, that's what I have noticed in television interviews or gathered through newspapers.''

Lilly Potter writing all the way from England, attributes SRK’s wordplay to his sun sign. “But of course, after all, SRK is a Scorpion. Those born under this sign are too good with words and charismatic.

Teja, from Hyderabad , feels that ‘SRK knows how to handle the media’. “He has a way to be in the news without courting controversies,” he says.


Most Netizens who exercised their virtual democratic rights through this poll have expressed admiration for Shah Rukh not entering the political arena directly.

Although he has had friends from the political circles, the man himself, feel Netizens has never shown any political ambitions. He has stuck to being an actor and that is what has worked in his favour.

All the way from Dubai, Hari Sankar Sharma says, ''Mr. Bachchan had made a mistake by entering direct politics and SRK would never do that as he does not need to experiment with himself in that direction.''

The fact that Amitabh Bachchan went on headway into the politics and made a couple of mistakes allowed only to true blue politicians he had to pay a heavy price for it.

In the same flow of thought P Janardhanan Nair from Chicago says, ''Amitabhji got into politics and also corrected his step by withdrawing from politics immediately. But again because the company of his friends he is still involved. SRK should evaluate the present and past history and there is nothing wrong if he jumps into politics since he is a level headed person and India needs such personalities.'' The tryst that the Bachchan family had with the politics of the country is held by many in bad taste.

Some Netizens were also of the opinion that to venture out into a new field of life is a very common thing and welcome as well.

However, to be a miserable failure while risking a lot of things in the bet is not the best thing to do. Many a fan actually holds this against the superstar.

All the way from USA Sajid , says ''Yes. Amitabh has proved himself bad in the political arena. SRK looks to be more intelligent and mature as compared to Amitabh.''

Similarly S Gupta from Burdwan says, ''Amitabh has hurt himself by contributing to several controversies surrounding himself and his family.''

Whereas Nim from Delhi says, ''SRK is at the top in the Bollywood business. Despite that, he is not ready to be affiliated to any political party. This shows that he knows that it's not his work. His work is to entertain the public and he is doing the same.''

Some also felt that since change is the constant, it was high time that Amitji made way for a change in the Bollywood order.

Amitabh Bachchan has been around for a long time now and he has given what he could to the industry. And now it is the time that he retires gracefully and allows the others to come and try their luck.

Badshah from Mumbai says, ''Old is cold. Amitji is now old and it's time for him to rest. SRK has a better sense of humour which was proved in KBC . Sorry to say this but Amitji has to rethink about working as an actor now. ''

For die-hard Amitabh fans, it is Big B, Big B and only Big B. Saraswati Singh from USA says, ''SRK has to learn a lot, he can't be compared with Big B.''

Back home, Richa Garg from Dehra Dun says, ''Definitely Big B is more experienced and SRK has to learn a lot but he has more guts thus is more savvy in politics. The fact that Amitabh Bachchan has been able to hold his position for such a long time is a fact that a lot of readers find very admirable.

Being politically savvy is something that some Netizens feel is being actually diplomatic.

Jitendra Desai from Gujarat says, ''Siding with those currently in power is not being savvy but it's being opportunistic. In hindsight, AB appears more matured and principled.'' Being a suave individual because of being politically correct at all times is not what all our readers take very lightly.

Then there is yet another group that feels that pitting the two against each other is not really a fair thing to do as there are things that have been exclusive for the two of them. They can very well be compared to each other as far as acting goes but as Shah Rukh never tried his hand at politics so it becomes unfair to pit them against each other in that context.

Umesh Munshi from USA is of the opinion that, ''If we speak about politics, then yes. Amitabh was and would be a failure in politics. But as far as being an actor is concerned, he stands much higher than anyone else in Bollywood.''

Well, that’s the power of the spoken word. And till the time King Khan actually goes back on his word and decides to enter the corridors of power, the debate will continue.

(Edited)

Pallavi Shahi - TimesOfIndia