Embracing 'Softboy' Masculinity: Nikhil Taneja's Viral Thread Reveals Why We Must Celebrate Shah Rukh Khan as kind, gracious, empathetic hero

Shah Rukh Khan starrer Dunki is all set for its release soon and everyone is excited for its release. The Dunki Drop 4 - The Trailer presented a wider glimpse into the endearing and heartwarming world created by Rajkumar Hirani. Dunki indeed arrived as a fresh breath of air where the soft boy charm of SRK is taking center stage, which goes against the archetype of an ‘alpha male’.

This has grabbed the attention of celebrated writer and storyteller, Nikhil Taneja, who talks about introducing a trend that demands celebration – positioning SRK and his films as the epitome of soft masculinity. Thereby, taking Pathaan and Jawan as an example in his viral thread, Nikhil said, “In Pathaan, the introduction to Deepika’s character is through an action scene where she saves SRK’s character. And at no point does ‘Pathaan’ try to ‘take charge’ (or even try to cut himself loose).. he knows Rubina is very well in charge, and she’s kicking all ass!"

He further said, “And in Jawan, of course, SRK’s character ‘Azad’s army is an all-women army. He operates out of a women’s prison, and in a fab dialogue written by @Sumitaroraa, he says, ‘Jail mein aadmi tere hain par yeh jail meri auraton ka hai’. They are his team, his family, his badass women," Nikhil remarked, further heightening how it’s the way he ‘loves’ doing it. Whether it’s succumbing to Deepika’s character and accepting the defeat in kushti or stumbling in front of Nayanthara’s powerful role, SRK consistently lets the women take the reins when the script demands it!

“And no one dares call SRK’s characters in the films anything other than a real ‘alpha’ male because in both, he’s a soldier fighting for his country, against those who threaten India’s economic, financial or secular fabric. In Jawan, he has an even more ‘alpha’ dad, but without any misogyny," he aptly put it, not getting swayed but acknowledging some problematic SRK movies, but then “there are two SRKs, and they are BADASS while being kind, gracious, empathetic and respectful of women." He added.

Dunki features an ensemble cast, with colorful characters portrayed by exceptionally talented actors Boman Irani, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Vikram Kochhar, and Anil Grover, along with Shah Rukh Khan. A JIO Studios, Red Chillies Entertainment, and Rajkumar Hirani Films presentation, produced by Rajkumar Hirani and Gauri Khan Written by Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani, and Kanika Dhillon, Dunki is slated to release on December 2023.

Spoke to @shrutisonal26 for a @timesofindia piece on 'The rise of alpha males' thanks to films like Animal, Gadar & <name the South blockbuster>.

While I don't disagree that hypermasculinity has made big bucks, I have a contrarian view on its rise. The reason? @iamsrk#Thread

— Nikhil Taneja (@tanejamainhoon) December 11, 2023