Proposal: (It should be corrected to MLA format)
Shah Rukh Khan and the Evolution of Indian Celebrity Culture in a Globalized World
“Shah Rukh Khan isn’t just a star; he’s a cultural phenomenon whose influence spans continents and transcends generations.” This statement encapsulates the profound impact of Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) on Indian celebrity culture, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of traditional reverence and modern fame. Beyond his status as a leading figure in Indian cinema, SRK represents the embodiment of tradition, nationhood, and benevolence, a quasi-divine figure for his legions of fans. Despite the peak of his career being over two decades ago, thousands still gather daily outside his residence in Mumbai to pay their respects. While in the West, fans may seek to emulate the everyday lives of their idols, in India, the relationship is often more spiritual. This juxtaposition highlights key differences in how celebrity is constructed and revered across different cultures (Nayar, 2021; Mehta, 2023).
Scholars in the West have engaged extensively with celebrity culture. Turner (2013), for example, introduced the concept of Celebrity Worship Syndrome (CWS) and examined the media’s role in constructing celebrity. Redmond (2001) built on this, exploring fame as a commodified aspect of Western society, where relatability and authenticity are central to celebrity appeal. Conversely, in India, authors like Pramod K. Nayar emphasize the quasi-divine status of celebrities, particularly Bollywood actors like SRK, who transcend media personas to become larger-than-life figures in national identity and culture. This discourse aligns with Turner’s exploration of the multidimensional aspects of celebrity in a transnational context, yet it also calls for deeper examination of how Indian celebrity culture diverges from the Western model. In South Asia, celebrities are often deified, with film heroes like SRK representing not only entertainment but also cultural and religious symbols (Nayar, 2021; Mehta, 2023).
Despite the growing body of literature on Bollywood’s global integration, there is limited research on how Shah Rukh Khan’s celebrity status redefines the traditional deity-devotee framework within a globalized context. This study will address this by conducting a comparative analysis of Indian and Western celebrity cultures, focusing on the divergent approaches to fame, authenticity, and public engagement (Turner, 2004). While Western celebrity culture emphasizes relatability and authenticity, as exemplified by Turner’s discussions on media representation, Indian celebrity culture relies on the construction of a god-like persona, particularly in the case of Bollywood stars (Redmond, 2019). This study will explore how SRK’s refusal to embody ‘ordinariness’ has contributed to his sustained popularity, contrasting this with the Western model of celebrity, where relatability often enhances a celebrity’s appeal (Turner, 2004).
(Turner, 2013; Redmond, 2001).
This study will employ a mixed-methods approach, drawing on six academic sources, including Turner (2013) and Redmond’s (2001) analyses, and regional studies on Bollywood. The methodology will include a comparative analysis of media representations of SRK in Indian and Western contexts. Primary evidence will be drawn from SRK’s films, interviews, and social media, while survey data from fan communities in India and the West will provide insight into how SRK’s “god-like” image is perceived in different cultural settings. By comparing these perceptions, the study aims to explore how SRK’s celebrity status navigates between traditional Indian paradigms of reverence and Western ideals of authenticity and relatability. This study offers a fresh perspective on the evolving nature of Indian celebrity culture through the case study of Shah Rukh Khan. By comparing Indian and Western frameworks of fame, the research will provide a deeper understanding of how regional celebrity cultures adapt to globalized media landscapes while maintaining unique cultural principles. This study will expand the scope of celebrity studies, particularly in its analysis of how deification and worship play a central role in South Asian celebrity culture, challenging existing Western-centric frameworks.
Instructions and Outline (make sure to include media examples of SRK and conduct research):
INTRODUCTION
- Attention Getter:
- The proposal opens with a compelling statement: “Shah Rukh Khan isn’t just a star; he’s a cultural phenomenon whose influence spans continents and transcends generations.” This effectively captures attention by framing Shah Rukh Khan as a larger-than-life figure.
- The introduction sets a dramatic comparison between Western and Indian celebrity culture, noting the quasi-divine status of Indian celebrities versus the relatability-focused approach in the West.
- Summary of Existing Work:
- It highlights key contributions from scholars like Turner (on Celebrity Worship Syndrome) and Redmond (on the commodification of fame).
- The proposal contrasts this Western-centric perspective with Indian scholarship, particularly Pramod K. Nayar’s work on the quasi-divine status of Bollywood stars like SRK.
- The discussion emphasizes gaps in the current research, particularly in the transnational study of celebrity culture.
5.
CONCLUSION
- Summarize Argument:
- The conclusion reinforces the central argument: Shah Rukh Khan represents a unique case of celebrity culture that blends Indian traditional reverence with modern global fame.
- It highlights how SRK’s status differs from the Western frameworks of fame, adding complexity to the understanding of celebrity studies.
- Value/Impact:
- The study is presented as an opportunity to broaden the scope of celebrity studies beyond its Western focus, offering insights into regional variations.
- It underscores the value of studying Bollywood’s quasi-divine framework and its impact on a global scale.
- Look Forward:
- The proposal suggests that by examining SRK’s celebrity status, future scholarship can develop a more holistic understanding of fame that transcends cultural boundaries.
- It anticipates that this research will challenge Western-centric theories and inspire new directions in transnational celebrity studies.
How and Where Does the Proposal Use Secondary Sources?
- Introduction: Uses secondary sources (e.g., Turner and Redmond) to establish the theoretical groundwork for understanding celebrity culture, particularly focusing on Western perspectives.
- Literature Review (Summary of Existing Work): Engages with secondary sources like Nayar and Mehta to provide contrasting views from Indian scholarship, highlighting the divine associations in Indian celebrity culture.
- Methodology: Mentions the use of academic sources as a basis for comparative analysis between SRK’s media representation and Western celebrity narratives.
How Does the Argument Develop?
- The argument develops by:
- Setting Context: Introducing SRK as an ideal case study for examining Indian celebrity culture.
- Highlighting Gaps: Emphasizing the lack of research on the quasi-divine paradigm of Indian fame in comparison to Western models.
1.
References:
Holmes, Su, and Sean Redmond. Framing Celebrity. Routledge, 2012.
Nayar, Pramod K. Essays in Celebrity Culture. Anthem Press, 2021.
Rasul, Azmat, and Jennifer M. Proffitt. “An Irresistible Market: A Critical Analysis of Hollywood-Bollywood Coproductions.” Communication, Culture & Critique, vol. 5, no. 4, Nov. 2012, pp. 563–83, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-9137.2012.01142.x.
Rini Bhattacharya Mehta, and Rajeshwari Pandharipande. “Bollywood and Globalization.” Anthem Press EBooks, Anthem Press, 2012, https://doi.org/10.7135/upo9781843318897.
Turner, Graeme. “Approaching Celebrity Studies.” Celebrity Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, Mar. 2010, pp. 11–20.
Xu, Jian, et al. “Internationalising Celebrity Studies: Turning towards Asia.” Celebrity Studies, vol. 12, no. 2, Apr. 2021, pp. 175–85, https://doi.org/10.1080/19392397.2021.1912069.