`Mix message with fun'
SUBHASH K. JHA
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It has been a rewarding year for Shah Rukh Khan.What does he have up his sleeve now?
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LOVES THE JOURNEY: Shah Rukh Khan
To describe Shah Rukh Khan as the single-most influential star of the post-Amitabh Bachchan era would be no exaggeration. In the past 12 years, this Khan has redefined Bollywood superstardom and also extended the frontiers of the box-office. Here he reveals how he intends to extend his vision as an actor and an entertainer. Excerpts:
How does it feel to be called `Padmasri' Shah Rukh Khan?
No one calls me that! It is a huge honour. I'm glad that someone of my ilk has been singled out for Padmasri. Life is exhausting, but very good. I'm happy cinema is being taken seriously and being considered an art form.
Padmasri has coincided with a whole lot of popular awards this year.
This year it felt even nicer because I got various popular awards for different performances. I think it's more appropriate if an actor is awarded for his entire body of work during a year rather than just one performance. I felt good getting awards this year for "Veer-Zara," "Main Hoon Na" and "Swades." In fact, I have thanked the directors of all three films at every award function.
Noble intention
"Swades" was exceptional because it is very far removed from your other films. Did its box-office failure disappoint you?
No! I always say that it is not the manzil but the journey that matters. I often don't watch my completed film. I enjoy the process of acting in them. I push it, promote it, participate in the projection...and then I move on. It isn't that I'm detached from the end-result, because I hope for the sake of the people behind my films that they do well. I enjoy doing all my films regardless of how it finally performs. As for "Swades," I told director Ashutosh Gowariker that it won't work commercially. The film was nobly intended... Even "Main Hoon Na" had a noble thought (Indo-Pak amity) behind it.
Did the role of the conscientious Indian in "Swades" change you as a person?
But I think like my character in "Swades." Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to change the way our society functions. My efforts to bring social awareness should not be restricted to short films on cancer, polio and AIDS. I think cinema is a very important medium of putting social messages across. My new film "Paheli" is again an entertainer with a social message. It talks about women's emancipation. But it isn't a propaganda film. I think films like "Black" and "My Brother...Nikhil" serve a great social purpose. But I want the message in my film to be more fun-oriented.
Lonely job
Is direction round the corner?
I do have an understanding of what people enjoy and what they don't. But direction is too lonely a job. I'd want to make a huge action [film] which will definitely be over-budget. My vision is too wacky to be budgeted. Let's see...Right now I don't have a story to act in, let alone direct.
You and Karan Johar have gone into joint production. Is this a move towards strengthening the Johar-Khan-Chopra empire?
It is more an emotional than a professional collaboration. Karan's dad the late Yash Johar always wanted me to be part of any film that he produced. He made a very generous deal with me... that I'd be a partner in his profits and no part of his losses. It was a gesture that I'd never forget.
Memoirs
What's happening with your memoirs?
I'll complete my book, `20 Years Of A Decade' now. I just need to assimilate and elaborate on my memories. I'll give it over to my publishers by year-end. They've been waiting patiently. My main theme in the book is, `Goodness begets goodness.'
I recently met a fan in Delhi who said , "The only reason you have is because you give." I found that very touching. That's what my mom used to say. That's what my book is about. Allah has been kind. The important thing about my career is not my success but that I'm still there working hard.
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