Shah Rukh Khan's manager, Pooja Dadlani, is usually considered to be the connection between the superstar and his admirers. Her job goes beyond managing SRK's professional obligations-she is now a confidante and a virtual family member.
Admirers often credit her with helping create moments like organizing meetings with SRK, as in the case of Aakash Pillay, who waited for 33 days outside Mannat to catch a glimpse of the actor. Pooja's active role in such situations cements her reputation as a bridge between SRK and his fans.
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But there are some insiders who claim that this image may not be altogether true. Though Pooja plays a key role in handling SRK's career, there are allegations that she at times plays the role of a gatekeeper instead of a facilitator.
It is also claimed that she favours well-known directors and could deny up-and-coming directors access to SRK, reducing the latter's creative prospects.
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This has prompted whispers in the industry that her choices might not always coincide with fans' demands or SRK's interests.
Interestingly, Salman Khan fans recently compared Pooja Dadlani with their call for Salman to hire someone like her to fill the gap between him and his fans.
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Following the failure of Sikandar, Salman's fans asked him to appoint someone that is proactive in order to meet their criticism-a position similar to what they think Pooja does for SRK. Whether or not such a person would actually empower fans or be a gatekeeper remains to be seen.