Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Shah Rukh Khan says of his heart!
Mumbai: Bollywood Star Shah Rukh Khan is still the same by his heart. According to the reports King Khan of the Bollywood played the role of a quizmaster to host the 4Ps business and marketing quiz DARE 09.
Talking to the participants the star said that "I equated poverty to failure at one point in my life. I didn't want to be poor. So I did Deewana, a film that Armaan Kohli had refused."
The star says further, "I did Baazigar that my friend Salman didn't want to do. I acted in Darr because Aamir turned it down and I worked in Dil Aashna Hai because Saif refused it."
Shah Rukh Said. "These films paid well and I was working to avoid unemployment."
Source: duniyalive
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
SRK isn't ashamed of his success: Nikhil Dwivedi
Shah Rukh Khan
"I will never forget what SRK once told me before I entered films. He said, "Films is not about bungalows, about cars, about fans chasing you for autographs. When you make a film, you should get the aroma from the negative print."
Not many actors can have a five hour long conversation with you without making you feel bored. SRK is extremely intelligent, extremely articulate, very well read and highly successful. What's more, he isn't ashamed of his success, neither is he too pompous or flamboyant about it as many people perceive him to be.
He likes the way it is. And despite all the above, there is a very middle class Delhi boy in him and that is something very endearing. You just want to sit with him and learn from him.
He could be talking to you about micro-biology and he is an expert in it or he could talk to you about aeroplanes and submarines or world cinema. You come back and google what you've heard from him and learn that all that is true."
Source: Santabanta
"I will never forget what SRK once told me before I entered films. He said, "Films is not about bungalows, about cars, about fans chasing you for autographs. When you make a film, you should get the aroma from the negative print."
Not many actors can have a five hour long conversation with you without making you feel bored. SRK is extremely intelligent, extremely articulate, very well read and highly successful. What's more, he isn't ashamed of his success, neither is he too pompous or flamboyant about it as many people perceive him to be.
He likes the way it is. And despite all the above, there is a very middle class Delhi boy in him and that is something very endearing. You just want to sit with him and learn from him.
He could be talking to you about micro-biology and he is an expert in it or he could talk to you about aeroplanes and submarines or world cinema. You come back and google what you've heard from him and learn that all that is true."
Source: Santabanta
Khan wars — A lot is made up: Karan
India's most suave, most stylish and wittiest director-producer is in Mumbai after months of living out of a suitcase in London, New York and
SFO.
But his travels (and travails) have only made that razor-tongue sharper than ever.
He talks here about postponing My Name Is Khan, his so-called problems with Kajol, comments on Salman, the Bachchans and SRK and how he intends to Wake Up Sid — his newest baby. Read on for the KJo challenge!
The big news is that you've delayed My Name Is Khan...
You know, it was beyond our control. Now the film is only releasing early next year. We couldn't have made it in time, we were very keen to release it this December, but there's a lot of work on this film. I just felt that rushing it would lead to many compromises on a creative level. So both SRK and I took a combined call to push it to next year.
There were reports that Kajol wasn't all cooperation for your schedules?
Both Kajol and I have laughed at this absurdity. In December when we were shooting in LA, we read Tanu aunty was objecting to some lines that were cut, and that Kajol and I were having this cold war. It's so ridiculous that it doesn't even warrant a response.
My Name Is Khan is your first co-production with SRK. How did that happen?
It's a powerful project, something we felt very strongly enough about to come together. At the end of day, this is one film that hopefully both of us should always own. Whether or not SRK and I share a film, we own them together in any case. Truly for me, I own OSO as much as SRK owns Dostana.
I wouldn't call it a mismatch. I'd call it an 'unconventional' casting. Konkana is established and associated with a certain kind of cinema and Ranbir is young, upcoming and attached to a certain demographic as an actor. When you see them, you know they have sparkling chemistry.
There was a report that the Bachchans were upset that you didn't cast Abhishek in the remake of Agneepath.
Agneepath is not cast at all. It's an idea Karan Malhotra — my AD on MNIK, who's directing Agneepath for me, has. He's still scripting it. We've not cast for it at all. Once the script is ready, we'll think of casting. We had an internal conversation, which leaked out, I have no idea how. Everybody started conjecturing on their own about people in the film.
Salman recently said he'd never do a 'John act' in Dostana? Do you take it personally?
Never. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their thoughts are their prerogative. I've had many other stars and directors comment on my cinema. I don't ever take it to heart.
Your take on the Khan wars?
Let me tell you, a lot of this may be true, but a lot of it is not. Most is created to make it more dramatic. A lot of it is exaggerated and enhanced in print, and sometimes it becomes worse because things sound much worse on paper and people start taking the lie as the truth and that's when things bother me. I don't get involved and I don't fight with people. Actually, I'm bored, I'm seriously waiting for a filmmaker or actor to pick on me, so that I can retort back!
Source: TimeofIndia
But his travels (and travails) have only made that razor-tongue sharper than ever.
He talks here about postponing My Name Is Khan, his so-called problems with Kajol, comments on Salman, the Bachchans and SRK and how he intends to Wake Up Sid — his newest baby. Read on for the KJo challenge!
The big news is that you've delayed My Name Is Khan...
You know, it was beyond our control. Now the film is only releasing early next year. We couldn't have made it in time, we were very keen to release it this December, but there's a lot of work on this film. I just felt that rushing it would lead to many compromises on a creative level. So both SRK and I took a combined call to push it to next year.
There were reports that Kajol wasn't all cooperation for your schedules?
Both Kajol and I have laughed at this absurdity. In December when we were shooting in LA, we read Tanu aunty was objecting to some lines that were cut, and that Kajol and I were having this cold war. It's so ridiculous that it doesn't even warrant a response.
My Name Is Khan is your first co-production with SRK. How did that happen?
It's a powerful project, something we felt very strongly enough about to come together. At the end of day, this is one film that hopefully both of us should always own. Whether or not SRK and I share a film, we own them together in any case. Truly for me, I own OSO as much as SRK owns Dostana.
You've cast Konkana and Ranbir in your next film, Wake Up Sid. Most feel they're mismatched...
I wouldn't call it a mismatch. I'd call it an 'unconventional' casting. Konkana is established and associated with a certain kind of cinema and Ranbir is young, upcoming and attached to a certain demographic as an actor. When you see them, you know they have sparkling chemistry.
There was a report that the Bachchans were upset that you didn't cast Abhishek in the remake of Agneepath.
Agneepath is not cast at all. It's an idea Karan Malhotra — my AD on MNIK, who's directing Agneepath for me, has. He's still scripting it. We've not cast for it at all. Once the script is ready, we'll think of casting. We had an internal conversation, which leaked out, I have no idea how. Everybody started conjecturing on their own about people in the film.
Salman recently said he'd never do a 'John act' in Dostana? Do you take it personally?
Never. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their thoughts are their prerogative. I've had many other stars and directors comment on my cinema. I don't ever take it to heart.
Your take on the Khan wars?
Let me tell you, a lot of this may be true, but a lot of it is not. Most is created to make it more dramatic. A lot of it is exaggerated and enhanced in print, and sometimes it becomes worse because things sound much worse on paper and people start taking the lie as the truth and that's when things bother me. I don't get involved and I don't fight with people. Actually, I'm bored, I'm seriously waiting for a filmmaker or actor to pick on me, so that I can retort back!
Source: TimeofIndia
Monday, August 3, 2009
I don’t want to be brand ambassador for causes: Shah Rukh
New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan is back in his hometown of yore, and is feeling quite at ease in the crisp, drier environment of Delhi. While contemporary stars are struggling to have their voices heard or to find a balance between stardom and lawfulness, SRK has no difficulty balancing the various facets of his life, and that also with quite a high rate of success – thanks to his diplomacy and political correctness. So, when the topic of causes for stars and people in general was raised, he did not shy away from the issue.
With the number of social cases are at a rise in the glamorous world (Emraan Hashmi and Shiney Ahuja), it gets beguilingly easy to slip into the role of a representative for a cause, especially for a popular star as articulate as Shah Rukh.
However, Shah Rukh side-stepped the issue with admirable diplomacy. Talking to a news daily recently, he said, "No no, I'm just a capitalist, happy-go-lucky, dumb star! I'm happier playing that role because otherwise what I say can be misused, misconstrued, unless the platforms decide to take a side."
Making his position very clear, he added, "When I talk about things like this, and then I am misconstrued, I am disturbed about it. I say, chhodo yaar, yeh side nahin le rahe hain, and then I realise I am in some way becoming a brand ambassador for these causes and debates. I don't want to be a brand ambassador for this! Unless I choose to sell a car, I don't need to be its brand ambassador, do I?"
Not at all King Khan, you are a brand just being yourself!
Source: spicezee
However, Shah Rukh side-stepped the issue with admirable diplomacy. Talking to a news daily recently, he said, "No no, I'm just a capitalist, happy-go-lucky, dumb star! I'm happier playing that role because otherwise what I say can be misused, misconstrued, unless the platforms decide to take a side."
Making his position very clear, he added, "When I talk about things like this, and then I am misconstrued, I am disturbed about it. I say, chhodo yaar, yeh side nahin le rahe hain, and then I realise I am in some way becoming a brand ambassador for these causes and debates. I don't want to be a brand ambassador for this! Unless I choose to sell a car, I don't need to be its brand ambassador, do I?"
Not at all King Khan, you are a brand just being yourself!
Source: spicezee
Aamir says ‘No’ to Shah Rukh’s friend Farah Khan!
Mumbai: While some very popular Bollywood celebrities like Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan among others are gearing up to be on Farah Khan's chat show, Aamir Khan has refused to do the same.
Quite expectedly, Aamir has once again chosen to behave differently as almost all the bigwigs approached for the show are apparently looking forward to be a part of it (including nephew Imran Khan)! Imran is set to appear as a guest of Farah Khan`s yet-to-air chat show, 'Tere Mere Beech Mein'.
Grapevine has it that Aamir has refused the show because of Farah`s closeness to his archrival Shah Rukh Khan. Also, it is being believed that since Shah Rukh`s Red Chillies Productions are the line producers of the show, Aamir opted out of the show. However, the actor reportedly turned down the offer saying that he is busy with his upcoming releases 'Dhobi Ghaat' and 'Three Idiots'.
A source reveals, "Aamir cited date problems as the reason for not doing the show. He also claimed that he wasn`t aware about the format of the show and he wasn`t comfortable doing something a show, whose tone and flavour he was not acquainted with."
On the other hand, Farah really wanted him to be on her show as her career as a choreographer picked up with his film 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander'. When Farah called Aamir up to invite him on the show, he said, `I am sorry but I will pass.` Farah then told him, `I was expecting you to say no but I still had to try.`
Farah confirms, "I was very keen to have Aamir on my show but he was unavailable. He was very polite about declining."
"Tere Mere Beech Mein, which is to air in August, isn`t just another celebrity talk show. It is based on a specific topic every week. Two guest celebrities and a common man will be interviewed in each episode," she added.
Source: Spicezee Bureau
Grapevine has it that Aamir has refused the show because of Farah`s closeness to his archrival Shah Rukh Khan. Also, it is being believed that since Shah Rukh`s Red Chillies Productions are the line producers of the show, Aamir opted out of the show. However, the actor reportedly turned down the offer saying that he is busy with his upcoming releases 'Dhobi Ghaat' and 'Three Idiots'.
A source reveals, "Aamir cited date problems as the reason for not doing the show. He also claimed that he wasn`t aware about the format of the show and he wasn`t comfortable doing something a show, whose tone and flavour he was not acquainted with."
On the other hand, Farah really wanted him to be on her show as her career as a choreographer picked up with his film 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander'. When Farah called Aamir up to invite him on the show, he said, `I am sorry but I will pass.` Farah then told him, `I was expecting you to say no but I still had to try.`
Farah confirms, "I was very keen to have Aamir on my show but he was unavailable. He was very polite about declining."
"Tere Mere Beech Mein, which is to air in August, isn`t just another celebrity talk show. It is based on a specific topic every week. Two guest celebrities and a common man will be interviewed in each episode," she added.
Source: Spicezee Bureau
Sunday, August 2, 2009
SRK is just a 'dumb' star!
Shah Rukh Khan 
was in Delhi to host a quiz show for IIPM, but TOI decided to quiz
him instead.
Excerpts...
When Emraan Hashmi raises the issue of his not getting a flat because of his religion, does it make for pointing out concerns, or does it encourage further divisiveness?
See, because of the greater accessibility of everyone to platforms that can make more people hear your voice, by which I largely mean the media, we have reached a stage in our society where everybody is concerned about putting as many planes in the air as possible, in a day, rather than being bothered about whether we can have them land back safely. The same holds true for stories – yeh kahani likh toh do, yaar. We'll see the next day if it was okay or not. And if not, uska rejoinder toh aayega hi.
As to whether it will add to the divisive nature of things or it's bringing an issue to the fore – unfortunately, all of us have become people who just want to offer platforms for debates. None of us are bothered if it's the right thing to do or the wrong thing. So, to me, it's not pertinent if it's divisive or crucial – I'm finding myself taking more recourse on issues like this, to understand the value of a "no comment" – which is very unfortunate. Because I think I am a good thinking mind and I should put my points forward. But because all we're trying to do these days is fill in space on a platform for debates without saying, this is right, I'd rather not speak.
I don't agree with the view that the media takes – that they're not concerned with what is right, they're just providing a platform for a debate. I am therefore finding myself, unfortunately, in this last one year, taking myself away from discussions like this. Because the problem is not whether it is the right issue – the problem is that we are only trying to send more planes in the air. So I won't comment on this because it will become a platform for what Shah Rukh said about faith and religion. So God bless the platform, and God bless Emraan.
I've realised that I don't need to take a side – you, the media – need to take a side. You should also give people who don't agree with your stand, a chance to express themselves, but you need to take a stand. And it's not my job to take a stand – I'm just a vulgar star!
But you, for good or bad, are an extremely popular and an articulate star, too...
No no, I'm just a capitalist, happy-go-lucky, dumb star! I'm happier playing that role because otherwise what I say can be misused, misconstrued, unless the platforms decide to take a side. When I talk about things like this, and then I am misconstrued, I am disturbed about it. I say, chhodo yaar, yeh side nahin le rahe hain, and then I realise I am in some way becoming a brand ambassador for these causes and debates. I don't want to be a brand ambassador for this! Unless I choose to sell a car, I don't need to be its brand ambassador, do I?
But even when it comes to cinematic branding, with Chak De! India being a definitive statement for a lot of things beyond coaching a hockey team, with My Name Is Khan clearly saying a lot in its title itself, with you standing for a lot apart from uber glam – won't those questions come your way?
Yes, they will. But then I am also the guy who pushes girls off buildings in the movies I've done! In the movies, I'm just enacting what I'm asked to. Like I said, I'm just a dumb star. I don't think it's any more possible to be otherwise. I feel very sad that at this age I have to take recourse to this approach – but I think for a couple of years, we will have to do this.
In that case, won't you just be giving a platform to others to be the definitive voices of the industry? The press conference stars, if one may say, who pick up controversial issues and use them to pronounce judgement from the rooftops?
Maybe that is what the world deserves! That is the world we live in. But see, in a way, each opinion is right. And as far as I'm concerned, when I say something, and then I have to end up explaining why I said that – I hate justifying it later, because I think that what I say is, more or less, well thought out and is not biased or anti, or wrong.
That's precisely the reason you need to speak out!
Yeah... that's what I thought. But now I've decided that it's okay, I just talk about stuff that I do as an actor – yaar, meri picture aayi hai, gaana achcha hai, dekh lo. You like the six packs, watch it. How I got the six packs is not important. How you do stuff, and what you believe in – I think that's not important any more at this point in my life. I think I should just do the work.
For people like you to go silent will mean that effectively, the likes of Mahesh Bhatt will remain the definitive voices of the film industry.
He's an intelligent guy. He has a lot to say.
Yeah, he has a lot to say. Just the point.
No no, I learn a lot from him, he's an amazing guy. He's a great speaker and very knowledgeable too. My problem is that maybe I find myself getting more and more vulnerable about these things. If you attack me about my acting, I can defend it. But now I'm talking about issues which at my age I think I should be talking about – but then I think, being a movie star, I should not. I should just say, you know, I'm doing this character, I'm playing this young bubbly thin guy!
Yeah... you can't go wrong with that.
No, I go wrong with that as well, but only monetarily, so it doesn't really matter. Emotionally, a lot of things matter to us beyond our job. I don't like justifying things. I may not be very knowledgeable about everything, but I have good sensibilities. I'm a family kind of guy, I just believe that I'm trying to think rightly and not trying to undermine anyone's position with the things I say – and yet a lot of people tend to see it that way. That's when I say I don't need to get there. It's too much time spent, yaar, explaining things. So I prefer explaining things which are easier – like how did you shoot for MNIK? Oh, we got up at this time, started shooting at 9 in the morning, had a lunch break, etc, etc...
I don't know all the details of what Emraan said, and I don't want to say anything on it, except that that's why I didn't try to buy an apartment – I bought a house !
You keep saying 'at this age'. When you got the doctorate, you said you feel old. At 43, is the age bit playing up mentally?
If it were, I wouldn't be saying it so often. Then I would say I don't like it. When I say it, I'm sending a message to filmmakers to not ask me to dance around with girls who're my daughter's age and make me tell them, 'I love you!' If I can do a little more than that... I think my craft is a little better than where it was 15 years ago. I think I have more control over what I can do today. It'd be sad if I keep making the same sort of choice. I hope people begin to make things with me in mind where I'm able to show that my craft has improved, that I can do all that I have done for 20 years, amalgamate it, take it together, and give something new.
The spoofing on yourself in OSO reflected a comfort level with having done that, been there..?
Yes. And I want to try everything for myself as an actor now. I want to be able to say to my directors or producers or writers, would you like me to do this, because I really love doing this? Otherwise it's never been much of a choice, actually. We have the impression that when you're doing well, the world is at your feet. It's really not true. The opening weekend needs to be bigger than the previous weekend each time. Gaana toh hona hi padega yaar, yeh gaana to karna padega, Shah Rukhbhai – so I'm too scared yet to move away from that. When I'm 80, I'll still like to do Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jaana Sanam and when I'm 80, I'll still have a six-pack.
But I truly believe that if someone believes in me and turns around and says, you know what, I don't want this anymore, dude, let's do this differently – I'll go for it. Like, MNIK doesn't have a song or a dance routine. And one of the best filmmakers in the country who has only made nice, happy-go-lucky films with me is willing to take a chance with me. That is very confidence-inspiring. Actors are insecure. So you need to be told, you can pull this off. Like Adi said for Chak De – Adi, who had made Dilwale with me, saying, 'Shah Rukh, I don't want you to look good. This is a film about a basic looking guy. I've sold Rahul long enough. Let's deconstruct him now.'
You've described yourself as an emotional jester above all. Does that apply to this genre of films as well, or only to the feel-good melodrama variety?
It applies to me as an actor more than to the films that I do. I have a bagful of tricks, and the tricks are mostly emotion-oriented. If you're a child, I will try and show you magic. If you're an intellectual, I'll try and be boring for you. My job is to carry the bag, come to the court in the morning and make sure the king – my audience – is happy. You want me to be happy? No, you want me to cry? Ok, I'll cry. You're a jester, and if you start taking yourself more seriously than that, it becomes difficult to do what you're doing. If I think I'm the king, it would be an issue. I'm not being humble, I know I'am called King Khan and all that. You want me to do something, I'll try to do it. So if Arindam (Arindam Chaudhuri, of IIPM) feels I can host a quiz show (SRK was in Delhi to host IIPM's annual business and marketing quiz)... But I'm not Siddhartha Basu who's hosted great shows, or Amin Sayani who has a wonderful voice, or Derek O'Brien whose knowledge is amazing, or Joy who works with me and is amazing at all this – yet, if someone feels I can do this, I will pick up my bag of tricks and try to do what I can.
You've never been afraid to be politically incorrect, have you?
I've always been politically correct, yaar. I've never said anything that's meant to be hurtful or controversial – it's just that it tends to be utilised that way now. But I don't get too disturbed about it either. I mean, yeah, I'm not going to start blogging because of this, to put my point across, for sure! I don't need to do that.
Taking of blogging, how tough was the post-IPL flak?
It was post and pre, both.
And it got extremely personal.
Yeah, it did. And I don't like it, I don't like it at all. But success has this beauty that it eradicates all personal and impersonal attacks. So instead of saying, explaining, justifying – all I need to do is succeed at IPL. Which I will do. Unless I do that, there's no point me explaining anything. I am hearing so much about what I am doing – which I am not doing. But I don't explain. I'll just go and win IPL – and then all my decisions will sound right. The crux is not what people are saying. The crux is that my team is losing. And I need to rectify that. And once I win, it'll be like, 'Shah Rukh theek keh raha tha'.
A house in Mumbai, a house in Dubai, a house in London, supposedly – you becoming a building magnate or what?
Like I said, I get to know about my life and my houses from the media. Five years ago, I had supposedly bought an island! No, I don't own any house in London. I do rent apartments and perhaps when I say to someone, come to my place there, it gives the impression that it's my own house. I'd love to buy a house there, though. But that's after I win IPL, and after MNIK is a big hit!
Source: TimesofIndia http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ENTERTAINMENT/Bollywood/News-Interviews/SRK-is-just-a-dumb-star/articleshow/4848367.cms
 |
Excerpts...
When Emraan Hashmi raises the issue of his not getting a flat because of his religion, does it make for pointing out concerns, or does it encourage further divisiveness?
See, because of the greater accessibility of everyone to platforms that can make more people hear your voice, by which I largely mean the media, we have reached a stage in our society where everybody is concerned about putting as many planes in the air as possible, in a day, rather than being bothered about whether we can have them land back safely. The same holds true for stories – yeh kahani likh toh do, yaar. We'll see the next day if it was okay or not. And if not, uska rejoinder toh aayega hi.
As to whether it will add to the divisive nature of things or it's bringing an issue to the fore – unfortunately, all of us have become people who just want to offer platforms for debates. None of us are bothered if it's the right thing to do or the wrong thing. So, to me, it's not pertinent if it's divisive or crucial – I'm finding myself taking more recourse on issues like this, to understand the value of a "no comment" – which is very unfortunate. Because I think I am a good thinking mind and I should put my points forward. But because all we're trying to do these days is fill in space on a platform for debates without saying, this is right, I'd rather not speak.
I don't agree with the view that the media takes – that they're not concerned with what is right, they're just providing a platform for a debate. I am therefore finding myself, unfortunately, in this last one year, taking myself away from discussions like this. Because the problem is not whether it is the right issue – the problem is that we are only trying to send more planes in the air. So I won't comment on this because it will become a platform for what Shah Rukh said about faith and religion. So God bless the platform, and God bless Emraan.
I've realised that I don't need to take a side – you, the media – need to take a side. You should also give people who don't agree with your stand, a chance to express themselves, but you need to take a stand. And it's not my job to take a stand – I'm just a vulgar star!
But you, for good or bad, are an extremely popular and an articulate star, too...
No no, I'm just a capitalist, happy-go-lucky, dumb star! I'm happier playing that role because otherwise what I say can be misused, misconstrued, unless the platforms decide to take a side. When I talk about things like this, and then I am misconstrued, I am disturbed about it. I say, chhodo yaar, yeh side nahin le rahe hain, and then I realise I am in some way becoming a brand ambassador for these causes and debates. I don't want to be a brand ambassador for this! Unless I choose to sell a car, I don't need to be its brand ambassador, do I?
But even when it comes to cinematic branding, with Chak De! India being a definitive statement for a lot of things beyond coaching a hockey team, with My Name Is Khan clearly saying a lot in its title itself, with you standing for a lot apart from uber glam – won't those questions come your way?
Yes, they will. But then I am also the guy who pushes girls off buildings in the movies I've done! In the movies, I'm just enacting what I'm asked to. Like I said, I'm just a dumb star. I don't think it's any more possible to be otherwise. I feel very sad that at this age I have to take recourse to this approach – but I think for a couple of years, we will have to do this.
In that case, won't you just be giving a platform to others to be the definitive voices of the industry? The press conference stars, if one may say, who pick up controversial issues and use them to pronounce judgement from the rooftops?
Maybe that is what the world deserves! That is the world we live in. But see, in a way, each opinion is right. And as far as I'm concerned, when I say something, and then I have to end up explaining why I said that – I hate justifying it later, because I think that what I say is, more or less, well thought out and is not biased or anti, or wrong.
That's precisely the reason you need to speak out!
Yeah... that's what I thought. But now I've decided that it's okay, I just talk about stuff that I do as an actor – yaar, meri picture aayi hai, gaana achcha hai, dekh lo. You like the six packs, watch it. How I got the six packs is not important. How you do stuff, and what you believe in – I think that's not important any more at this point in my life. I think I should just do the work.
For people like you to go silent will mean that effectively, the likes of Mahesh Bhatt will remain the definitive voices of the film industry.
He's an intelligent guy. He has a lot to say.
Yeah, he has a lot to say. Just the point.
No no, I learn a lot from him, he's an amazing guy. He's a great speaker and very knowledgeable too. My problem is that maybe I find myself getting more and more vulnerable about these things. If you attack me about my acting, I can defend it. But now I'm talking about issues which at my age I think I should be talking about – but then I think, being a movie star, I should not. I should just say, you know, I'm doing this character, I'm playing this young bubbly thin guy!
Yeah... you can't go wrong with that.
No, I go wrong with that as well, but only monetarily, so it doesn't really matter. Emotionally, a lot of things matter to us beyond our job. I don't like justifying things. I may not be very knowledgeable about everything, but I have good sensibilities. I'm a family kind of guy, I just believe that I'm trying to think rightly and not trying to undermine anyone's position with the things I say – and yet a lot of people tend to see it that way. That's when I say I don't need to get there. It's too much time spent, yaar, explaining things. So I prefer explaining things which are easier – like how did you shoot for MNIK? Oh, we got up at this time, started shooting at 9 in the morning, had a lunch break, etc, etc...
I don't know all the details of what Emraan said, and I don't want to say anything on it, except that that's why I didn't try to buy an apartment – I bought a house !
You keep saying 'at this age'. When you got the doctorate, you said you feel old. At 43, is the age bit playing up mentally?
If it were, I wouldn't be saying it so often. Then I would say I don't like it. When I say it, I'm sending a message to filmmakers to not ask me to dance around with girls who're my daughter's age and make me tell them, 'I love you!' If I can do a little more than that... I think my craft is a little better than where it was 15 years ago. I think I have more control over what I can do today. It'd be sad if I keep making the same sort of choice. I hope people begin to make things with me in mind where I'm able to show that my craft has improved, that I can do all that I have done for 20 years, amalgamate it, take it together, and give something new.
The spoofing on yourself in OSO reflected a comfort level with having done that, been there..?
Yes. And I want to try everything for myself as an actor now. I want to be able to say to my directors or producers or writers, would you like me to do this, because I really love doing this? Otherwise it's never been much of a choice, actually. We have the impression that when you're doing well, the world is at your feet. It's really not true. The opening weekend needs to be bigger than the previous weekend each time. Gaana toh hona hi padega yaar, yeh gaana to karna padega, Shah Rukhbhai – so I'm too scared yet to move away from that. When I'm 80, I'll still like to do Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jaana Sanam and when I'm 80, I'll still have a six-pack.
But I truly believe that if someone believes in me and turns around and says, you know what, I don't want this anymore, dude, let's do this differently – I'll go for it. Like, MNIK doesn't have a song or a dance routine. And one of the best filmmakers in the country who has only made nice, happy-go-lucky films with me is willing to take a chance with me. That is very confidence-inspiring. Actors are insecure. So you need to be told, you can pull this off. Like Adi said for Chak De – Adi, who had made Dilwale with me, saying, 'Shah Rukh, I don't want you to look good. This is a film about a basic looking guy. I've sold Rahul long enough. Let's deconstruct him now.'
You've described yourself as an emotional jester above all. Does that apply to this genre of films as well, or only to the feel-good melodrama variety?
It applies to me as an actor more than to the films that I do. I have a bagful of tricks, and the tricks are mostly emotion-oriented. If you're a child, I will try and show you magic. If you're an intellectual, I'll try and be boring for you. My job is to carry the bag, come to the court in the morning and make sure the king – my audience – is happy. You want me to be happy? No, you want me to cry? Ok, I'll cry. You're a jester, and if you start taking yourself more seriously than that, it becomes difficult to do what you're doing. If I think I'm the king, it would be an issue. I'm not being humble, I know I'am called King Khan and all that. You want me to do something, I'll try to do it. So if Arindam (Arindam Chaudhuri, of IIPM) feels I can host a quiz show (SRK was in Delhi to host IIPM's annual business and marketing quiz)... But I'm not Siddhartha Basu who's hosted great shows, or Amin Sayani who has a wonderful voice, or Derek O'Brien whose knowledge is amazing, or Joy who works with me and is amazing at all this – yet, if someone feels I can do this, I will pick up my bag of tricks and try to do what I can.
You've never been afraid to be politically incorrect, have you?
I've always been politically correct, yaar. I've never said anything that's meant to be hurtful or controversial – it's just that it tends to be utilised that way now. But I don't get too disturbed about it either. I mean, yeah, I'm not going to start blogging because of this, to put my point across, for sure! I don't need to do that.
Taking of blogging, how tough was the post-IPL flak?
It was post and pre, both.
And it got extremely personal.
Yeah, it did. And I don't like it, I don't like it at all. But success has this beauty that it eradicates all personal and impersonal attacks. So instead of saying, explaining, justifying – all I need to do is succeed at IPL. Which I will do. Unless I do that, there's no point me explaining anything. I am hearing so much about what I am doing – which I am not doing. But I don't explain. I'll just go and win IPL – and then all my decisions will sound right. The crux is not what people are saying. The crux is that my team is losing. And I need to rectify that. And once I win, it'll be like, 'Shah Rukh theek keh raha tha'.
A house in Mumbai, a house in Dubai, a house in London, supposedly – you becoming a building magnate or what?
Like I said, I get to know about my life and my houses from the media. Five years ago, I had supposedly bought an island! No, I don't own any house in London. I do rent apartments and perhaps when I say to someone, come to my place there, it gives the impression that it's my own house. I'd love to buy a house there, though. But that's after I win IPL, and after MNIK is a big hit!
Source: TimesofIndia http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ENTERTAINMENT/Bollywood/News-Interviews/SRK-is-just-a-dumb-star/articleshow/4848367.cms
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