The biggest shock I got at Shobhaa De’s book launch was not about her sympathy for Raj Thackeray, nor her somewhat insular Delhi-bashing, but when she predicted that soon you would be canvassing for ‘a political party’ in Uttar Pradesh, and that you may even join politics. She said that you had done it all: in cinema, in business, and that you would soon yearn for more of the adulation showered on you so far. And where else would you get it than from politics?

Shah Rukh, I sincerely hope that for once Shobhaa, who intuitively has her finger on the pulse of popular trends, is completely wrong. Therefore I am writing to you, publicly, to request you in the hope that others will also join me in this appeal — not to take this step. Even if this is just an incipient plan, even if this is only random kite flying, please put the thought away.

I think you know what I mean. My respect for you went up one hundred per cent, when during the NDTV awards show earlier in the year, you spoke about corruption in politics. You were able to stand on stage and even tell Rahul Gandhi that he was not so young anymore, that he should get on with it. But the best bit came when, after collecting the award from the prime minister, you lithely hopped down from the stage and strolled back to your seat, without the usual scraping and bowing. Sitting in the audience that day I wanted to get up and applaud. It was a shocking but strangely wonderful moment. And very liberating. It showed a self-confidence, because Shah Rukh, you have come so far on your own.

... contd.