Shah Rukh Khan and the Railway Narratives, written by Ankur Konar, is unique in many ways. Published by Hawakal Publishing, the book is a nostalgic trip with critical thinking of the various perspectives and ideologies in the Bollywood films of SRK. From Swades to DDLJ, the book explores themes of loss, love, and beyond. The stark factor for this book remains that railways in India are no t just a mo de of transportation. Initially built by and for the colonizers, the railroad and railway symbolise more than just fast ways to go places. Konar explores exactly this phenomenon.
“There is at least one impossible memory in the rail for every Indian”, says the book. Divided into five chapters, the book provides an in-depth imager y f iesta of how significant Khan has been in the lives of common people. Konar writes in the prelude, “A recurring theme in many of his (SRK) films is trains, which ser ve as b o th metaphorical and literal settings for various emotions and stories.”
The book is an extensive research of what railways have portrayed in f ilms, knowingly or unknowingly. The five chapters are titles: Railways and Bollywood, Rail and Romance, Train and Self-Discovery, Train and Pain, Railways and Entertainment. Talking about Veer-Zaara, Konar writes, “Veer is arrested in Pakistan for lacking disembarkation papers. This spatial aspect of the station broadens the film’s exploration of borders. The station is not just a backdrop; it actively drives their separation by pushing them in opposite directions.” The book takes us on a journey just like the films of the superstar.
Konar says, “Just like a train journey, life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, and unexpected stops along the way.” The book is both a serious read and for in-between. There is a distinct quality of the writer that makes a heavy thesis like a book imaginative and picturesque. It is a must read for the film buffs and specially for the SRK fans. Ankur Konar is a professor of English, this being his fifth book. Beyond being an author, the book works on why something remains memorable, and why trains have such a distinct place in our lives, even off-screen. Konar writes, “The selected f ilms by SRK offer a cross- generational and collective reflection on iconic train scenes, creating a distinctive cinematic experience that continues to resonate with viewers worldwide.”
SRK’s heroes on-screen have been the nerve centre of the liberal middle class. Everyone intrinsically wants to become SRK, but knows in their hearts they will never be the one. Yet the trains are the only trope that brings the common man closer to the star. Trains have been the symbol of the largest travelling class in India. Konar talks about things that the common mind might have skipped under the glamour of Bollywood film making, but will be quick to understand once pointed out.