Fans become obsessed with people for a variety of intangible reasons which are often personal and difficult to explain. Something in the way a person speaks, acts, performs or lives their life generates an unfettered devotion in others.
In the Psychology Today post "How Big a Fan Are You?", psychologist Romeo Vitelli PhD writes:
Though there are different explanations for where the word "fan" originated (my personal favourite being that it is short for "fanatic"), the best definition is that a fan is "a person who is enthusiastically devoted to something or somebody, such as a band, a sports team, a book or entertainer." Fans are the driving force that keep film, television, sports, and music stars in business (along with requiring them to hire bodyguards) and their enthusiasm, or mania, can be downright terrifying at times.
As more and more people turn to movies, television, and the Internet for entertainment, fan communities are increasingly springing up allowing people to participate in ways that they never could before. Being a fan has become more than just showing appreciation for something enjoyable, it's become a way for people to share their lives with one another. Though there are literally thousands of different fan clubs, they all thrive on individuals participating to share their love and appreciation of the object of their fandom. Whether it's for a single individual, a music band or a sports team, a television show, a book or movie franchise, or an entire genre, fans often share their enthusiasm with one another through discussions, conventions, or even through their own creative efforts (including fan fiction, filks, and art).
Shah Rukh Khan has millions of fans around the world, a fact which is supported by his Twitter and Facebook numbers alone. He has well over 17 million fans on each social media network as of January 2016.
As part of the marketing for the upcoming film FAN - set to release on 15 April 2016 - Yash Raj Films released a series of videos highlighting the personal passion of fans of Charlie Chaplin, Sachin Tendulkar, Michael Jackson, Amitabh Bachchan and, of course, Shah Rukh Khan. Each of these videos included short descriptions of what it means to be a fan:
Fan is not just a word, a film or a person. Fan represents an idea, a belief, purest form of love and passion. And everyone of us is a Fan of someone. Watch fans become stars through their unmatched passion and experience the spirit of fandom!
A universe created by a fan, for the fans, revolving around one star - Shah Rukh Khan! See the passion that binds together this spectacular community of fans.
Vishahrukh is one of the most passionate SRK fans you will ever meet. A look into his world, that revolves around SRK, will definitely amaze you. Everyone in Lucknow knows him and now everyone in the world will know him.
Kerala's real beauty lies in its people - People who are likeable, affectionate and make a difference in the lives of those who need it. We can’t help but become fans of these fans from Kerala, who are truly a source of inspiration.
The spirit & zeal of SRK fans is unmatched by anyone else. Absolutely nothing can come close to the passion, the ecstasy of these fans. Witness their contagious enthusiasm right here.
Shah Rukh Khan tweeted these videos and added his own color commentary:
“If u r imperfect, romantically irrational, ridiculously fearless & utterly illogical? Then I’m your FAN“ Tesla https://t.co/eI6kvuL02t
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) January 21, 2016
And you only trust your FAN to do good work in your name. Thank you ever grateful. https://t.co/xoARa1fMRB
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) January 21, 2016
I believe my FAN is a friend or family who I may not have met. This family I have met and I pray for them. https://t.co/eFOl8DRCgx
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) January 21, 2016
Being a fan is pure passion. Every1is a fan of someone. Like I’m yours.4parts to follow #FanHoGaya @FanTheFilm @yrf https://t.co/wUoxjEz6Pn
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) January 21, 2016
Jahan 4 FAN Mil Jayein wahin raat Ho Gulzar. 4 parts to follow #FanHoGaya @FanTheFilm @yrf https://t.co/wUoxjEz6Pn
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) January 21, 2016
Here are all five videos in the series "Tu Nahin Samjhega" ("You Will Not Understand").
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