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Subhash Ghai’s 1997 film Pardes, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Mahima Chaudhary, may have left the critics a little divided upon its release but it managed to remain in the memories of all moviegoers, especially Shah Rukh Khan fans. Khan’s character in the film, Arjun, was not the main hero. He was mostly a bystander, something dysfunctional, a far cry from what a 90s hero should have been.
Although Pardes was essentially the story of Ganga, played by Chaudhary, Khan stole most of the show. All this and Khan’s portrayal of Arjun stems from one thing – Subhash Ghai’s diktat to the artist as he saw his hero.
Subhash Ghai’s memoir, titled ‘Karma’s Child: The Story of Indian Cinema’s Ultimate Showman’, written by Suveen Sinha, and published by HarperCollins India, shows how the successful Shah Rukh Khan – who had just released Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) – was introduced to Pardes.
Initially, Ghai explained to Khan that the film was about Ganga, not Arjun. But Khan, who had signed a three-film contract with Mukta Arts, starting with Trimurti, readily agreed to act with them.
But Khan’s portrayal of Raj Malhotra in DDLJ inspired him to become a “romantic hero who could look into the eyes of any woman with an energy that made him fall in love with himself”.
So Ghai had to give a diktat to the star: “No power, Shah Rukh, and no love; not to Ganga. Friendship is love, yes, but there is no love. “
Ghai’s idea was to have the audience imagine how the hero and the heroine would be together. It was also a departure from the usual love stories – Arjun telling Ganga that he doesn’t love her and to go back home.
The producers went further, much to Khan’s chagrin. They made him wear loose pants, and a shirt with revealing details. Khan convinced Ghai to allow him to wear jeans and T-shirts, which he felt would be indistinguishable from Rajeev (Apurva Agnihotri), the Americanized scion of the business empire, who was always well-dressed. luck is arrogant.
“No hero, Shah Rukh, no film,” Ghai told Khan.
Arjun’s behavior also confused Khan. She was supposed to be a defeated person, always attracted to Rajeev. Khan felt that he was portrayed as a weak person who did not like his fame and image. But Ghai explained that Arjun was always obliged to Kishori Lal by adopting him, an orphan, and giving him a life and a life. Ghai’s Arjun would not dream of insulting his helper and his family.
Ghai told Khan to ditch Raj of DDLJ and embrace Arjun of Pardes.
Pardes witnessed an 80 percent occupancy rate of 40 weeks passing, the memoir said. Although not all the critics were impressed, Pardes had a golden celebration.
