Ira Deshmukh
Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts
Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Abstract

This paper explores the concepts of stardom and doubling/double roles through the ideas of intertextuality and excess by analysing Farah Khan’s 2007 film Om Shanti Om. This paper also looks at the phenomenon of double roles by placing it in the context of star theory and Bollywood. Furthermore, through a textual analysis of the film and drawing on ideas posited by Richard Dyer, Susan Hayward and Christine Gledhill, the paper aims to answer the question – how the logic of multiplication or doubling constructs or plays into Shah Rukh Khan’s star persona? The research finds that while double roles aid actors such as Shah Rukh Khan to explore more versatile roles, another character is added in the narrative to later authenticate the actor’s star image, one he deviated from with the first character. 

      Keywords: Intertextuality, Excess, Doubling, Stardom, Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan