Mader compares them to pilgrims who perform rituals similar to devotees of gods and goddesses like waiting for hours, often in discomfort, in order to get a glimpse or a touch of their idol.

'Bollywood and more specifically Shah Rukh fan communities form part of the rapidly growing 'digitally empowered active audiences' that have become active and visible on the net during the past decade. Such internet activities are a typically global phenomenon. They are focused on Indian movies and Shah Rukh and are locally or regionally based at German, Japanese or Spanish speaking networks,' Mader said.

Giving the example of a forum called planet.srk, devoted to the Indian superstar, the professor counted 9,200 members, 9,717 threads, and 459,907 posts on April 20.

And this is only the beginning of Mader's research on Shah Rukh!

Photographs: Getty Images