If there is one thing I have learned over the last one decade, its not to have any expectations from an SRK film. Barring Chak De India, he has hardly had anything noteworthy in the last ten years that could re-establish his diminishing credentials as a great actor, notwithstanding, his ever growing super stardom. Even though he had strong performances in My Name Is Khan and partly Jab Tak Hai Jaan, he was unable to save those sinking ships due to lack of story.

Despite all that, FAN called for expectations of a better film. A great SRK film where he could re-live the Chak De magic. For starters, the premise was unique, even though inspired from the Robert DeNiro's Fan. At least SRK was not going to be romancing sari clad girls singing in unrelatable exotic locations. If anything, it was a song-less film. Mere association of Varun Grover with the film made it more intriguing. If you don't know who Varun Grover is, you may stop reading further. The guy is a genius. Maneesh Sharma and Habib Faisal made a formidable team in Band Baaja Baraat and under delivered in the follow-ups. Fan was going to be their chance a redemption with everything going their way.

Except, it didn't.

There is nothing visibly wrong with Fan as such. Its not a Tees Maar Khan where you just want to leave the theater half an hour into the film. Its actually the lost opportunity that makes you cringe. A simple "what it could have been" had it been treated better. What if the makers of the film stayed true to the essence of the film instead of going preachy and instead of glorifying SRK more and more? What if they had worked harder on developing the real conflict of the story instead of focusing on four silly chases. What if they had made pulling it off more difficult for the poor hapless Fan instead of the super famous and resourceful star.

I am all for creative liberty and taking leap of faith, however, despite all my generosity, I struggle to believe when a film star allows a fan to enter his van alone with him so that he can beat him up. I refuse to accept a super star running after his fan on the streets chasing him while no personal body guard or cops step up to take the responsibility. And even if I accept the poor fan's reach to places like London and Dubrovnik in one week, I won't able to accept his access to untraceable phones, reaching high security areas without any problem and escaping the police every time. Never mind the climax fist fight between the two resulting in a long sanctimonious speech by the star.

Its still not a disaster though. There are several enjoyable sequences in the 140 minutes long film. The hesitant romance between Gaurav and his Delhi girlfriend is full of warmth and should have been exposed a little more. Gaurav's parents' chemistry with their son is good. The jibes at SRK's lifestyle coming from his staff and other people make you smile. SRK knows how not to take himself too seriously unlike another big Khan of the industry. Production design by Maneesh Sharma's usual suspect Abid T.P, costumes by the newbie Niharika Bhasin and make-up are highlights of the film. Academy Award winner Greg Cannon and his team did a great job of creating Gaurav, the Fan.

Fan is an SRK film and only an SRK film. Other than SRK there is hardly any other prominent actor in the film. He shoulders the responsibility of lifting the film alone. His effort is strong and worthy but he is let down by scantily executed script where Habib Faisal was unable to do justice to an intriguing premise. Despite the limitations of the story, SRK has done well. His portrayal of Gaurav has the energy and passion of a 20-year-old while Aryan has the maturity and composure of an aging actor. He does go overboard in a few scenes, specially the ones with his staff and cops, but overall manages to show great restraint. There is, however, a conscious effort to portray a certain image of Aryan Khanna, which is how SRK wants the world to know him. This film has a purpose to serve as a PR machinery for SRK. To show people his struggle, his family-man image and his constant struggle with his own stardom.

Had all the 'what if' questions been taken care of, Fan could have gone as one of the best performances of SRK's career and possibly the best film of the year. As it stands now, Fan is an interesting film with several disappointing moments.