It's not my war – Shah Rukh breaks his silence
Keith D’Costa
It has been almost a decade of phenomenal achievement… and yet the pace only gets faster, the fire more consuming – for the spectacular Shah Rukh Khan! After a long silence, Shah Rukh speaks about his alleged war with Hrithik Roshan, the criticism he received, the trials and tribulations of being a first-time producer, the pain and heartache of being the film industry’s top star.
Shah Rukh has always been one of my favourite interviewees. I love to sit late into the night as he is a passionate communicator… Everything Shah Rukh does is filled with passion. Today’s rendezvous is even more special, marred by the knowledge that this may be my last interview with him for Cine Blitz before I head off to distant shores forever… It is after 9.30 pm and we are sitting in his trailer after he has wrapped up shooting for the day for Kara Johar’s Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham. In between puffing on his Marlboro Lights and sipping his Pepsi, we talk about everything that's going on in his life...
As it turns out, you have added another feather to your cap, a portal srkworld.com!
It just happened, like Dreamz Unlimited and Arc Lights. When it comes to entertainment, entertainers should be the brains behind it. One should try to get into all the media that is based on entertainment. Once you have a channel, you can bring out stuff that you believe in, instead of just working for outsiders like I did. Since I enjoy the technical side of things and know a bit about computers too, I decided to go for it. I don't see it as a viable venture in terms of business, at least not for another year and a half.
What will srkworld.com cover as a portal?
I am selling myself as a brand, so calling it srkworld.com was a good idea. However, it won't just have my stuff. Juhi, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukherjee, Kareena Kapoor, Johny Lever and also directors like Santosh Sivan and Karan Johar are involved. We have exclusive coverage of Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham, Devdas and Asoka. We also have a lot of cartoons and animations, especially a character called Shah Rock. I also plan to tie up with writers from PTI. It will be a complete portal, just more animation-focused and definitely entertaining.
What is Shah Rock about?
He is a cartoon character. From what little I understand about marketing in India, I think creating a cartoon would work better if it is based on an established film star. Shah Rock is a child version of Shah Rukh. Like Calvin, he is a cute guy who looks kind of like me. Actually, he looks like my son! We will have a full series based on Shah Rock. Inshallah, we can make a full-blown cartoon based on Shah Rock one day.
How is Shah Rukh different from Shah Rock?
Apart from the physicality, Shah Rock is very lazy. Shah Rock will comment on everything from films to political situations to sports. However, he will be more Mickey Mouse than RK Laxman's common man. Shah Rock has a dog; he has a teacher who looks like Rekhaji and also a bully of a friend called Biff. We are tapping into the world of Shah Rock. Hopefully it works out.
Before launching srkworld.com, you had maintained a long silence after Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. Looking back, how do you think it had turned out?
As a producer, I wanted to make a film that we believed in within the nine months. In that sense, we were completely successful. Nobody can control the commercial success of a film. We made some money from Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. It was very little compared to the kind of investment and time we put in, but our aim of building Dreamz Unlimited was established.
We intend to be able to make a film every year without having to dip into our personal wallets. Even if Asoka is a disaster, we will be able to make another film. We have also chosen not to overdo it. I am the only one inclined to do that, but Azizji and Juhi are realistic people to keep me in check!
Did you expect the criticism that Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani attracted?
No, I didn't expect the media to be so hostile. Frankly, I don't care. A certain section of the media keeps clamoring for different films, but when faced with a different film, they called it trash. The criticism was directed at our company as well. I find it very strange, but there is no bad blood.
You must have thought that your effort would be praised.
For that matter, I don't do films to hear comments from a Shilpa, from Parde ke Peeche or Fangs or Neeta's Natter or Madame M. I don't want to be praised by being put on the cover of some magazine. I was more hurt because some newspaper journalists, whom I respected very much, tore the film apart and called it garbage. Our effort was also ignored. Maybe I had overestimated them. Maybe my film was rubbish and they understood it better than I did. The film got a much better response in London, Malaysia and America.
What did you learn from the fate of Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani that will help your next film, Asoka?
We learn from mistakes and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani was not a mistake. Some felt that we had created too much hype around the film but if we hadn't, it would not have made the sales that it did. There are always reasons why a film fails or succeeds. We just made a film and let go. I believe in Dev Anand's philosophy of continuing to make films no matter what. I believe that I know how to make films. I have made many films as an actor. I have made tremendous contributions in other fields too.
Now you are almost done with your second project Asoka. How has it been coming along? Is it the same as the cancelled OP Ralhan film Ashoka with Dharmendra and Hema Malini?
I have not seen it but I am sure it will be a beautiful film. It is different. Our Asoka has nothing to do with OP Ralhan's film. It is about a historical figure called Ashoka and is based on two historical books with different viewpoints. We have been working on our script for the last four to five years.
Are you ready to face the onslaught once Asoka is released? The media might claim gross distortion and misrepresentation of facts...
I cannot waste my time thinking of all these unimportant things. If people want to stop my film, let them. If people want to create negative hype, let them. However, it will be very good if people create a little positive hype for the film. I cannot be bothered with what the media thinks. Once I could beat people because there were probably ten of them. Now there are hundreds! The media has grown so much. Today newspapers have turned into film magazines. The media is the boss at the moment and can bully and do whatever it wants.
Apparently you completed Asoka in record time!
Yes, we started shooting in July and finished in January 2001. The whole logic behind it was to complete the shooting in about 50 days. Asoka is not a costume drama like the Mahabharata on TV. I want people to react to it when they see it for the first time. Credit must go to Santosh Sivan, me, Sabu Cyril and all the technicians involved. We tried to present it with a little bit of imagination.
Apparently they had a problem with Kareena Kapoor...
It was just a scheduling issue of five days which she sorted out a little later. I had also read in a magazine that we were having problems with Kareena. She called me from Delhi to talk to me about it. In fact, Kareena is a sweetheart and one of the best things that has happened to Asoka!
Was Kareena your original choice to play the lead?
Actually, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai were supposed to play the lead roles. Then we changed it to Kareena and me as that was Santosh's choice. This project had been in his mind for a long time. He had spoken to me during the shooting of Dil Se about wanting to cast me. When he met Kareena while she was dropping by on the sets of Fiza; he knew he had found his heroine too.
Imagine Shah Rukh Khan, the producer, plagued with deadline troubles!
No, not really. Kareena's deadlines were with Mr Subhash Ghai, who was also completing his film. She spoke to Mr Ghai and so did I and he gave us five days out of the seven we needed. Whenever I read such a statement from a producer about an actor, I felt as if the producer was trying to hide something. But Kareena is a real treasure.
The media makes a big deal out of stars' deadline troubles. For years, the deadlines have been handled this way. I have been a professional actor for nine years now. I have had deadline troubles. I have delayed films. I have rushed films. And yet the same people cast me again because they understand all this. It is an integral part of the whole cycle of Indian film making.
Last year, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani released a week after Hrithik Roshan's Kaho Na Pyar Hai. Your film did poorly while his was a hit. Then at an awards function, when Hrithik was getting an award, a TV close-up caught you in a very pensive mood. The talk started that you were dismayed, sobered and badly shaken by Hrithik's overwhelming entry into the film business.
That was very sad and stupid. Hrithik has been his father's assistant and I have done three films with them. They are family. In fact, I had suggested that they make Hrithik a star. I had even recommended him to train. Before that, he had come and asked me how to play a scene, like Abhishek. Even now they take my advice about their work.
To tell you the truth, I was at that awards show while Hrithik was performing on stage, with my friend Jeetu backstage, who had come from London. I later came to know that I had missed Hrithik's dances and speech. The TV crew edited the film the way they wanted. All this was quite silly.
What about the so-called war between you and Hrithik?
Why should I think about it? Did I start it? Why should I even comment on something that has nothing to do with me? I am not at war with anyone. I just want to do my job, 99 per cent of the people I work with, including filmmakers and stars, have a very easy relationship with me. If people want to create a war, then it is their war. Let them decide how it ends.
Why have you maintained a rigid silence throughout this 'war'?
It's not my war. It's like asking me what I think about Actor A's affair with Actor B. It's their affair, why drag me into it? Why should I even explain anyone's point of view?
Was it blown out of proportion?
I don't think about the warts on Mr Chopra's legs or Mrs Sharma's feet or the spots on Radha's nose. I don't know those people and I don't care. Likewise, I don't know the people who are writing all this, nor do I know why they are doing it. Why should I comment? Whether it was blown out of proportion or not, it's their problem.
As a result of all the commotion, Hrithik apparently dropped out of your next production!
I asked Farah Khan to ask Hrithik if he would do the film. Since he didn't have the dates, he couldn't. There is no problem at all. I refuse 20 films a day. I guess he will have to do the same.
However, all these little problems occurred simultaneously, which is why the so-called war took on huge proportions...
Many other things also happened which are not written about. That I attended the Roshans' dinner party, and that they visit me at home twice a week, and that we sit and chat. Sometimes Hrithik calls me from London to ask me about films. He even calls to ask about which films he should or should not do. We sort out each other's problems and discuss other matters too. This is something that no one else knows and we do not make a fuss about this fact.
It is also heard that you have dropped out of Boney Kapoor's next film...
I have not left the film. We are still discussing the terms. Boney was here the other day. Either you do a film or you don't. You cannot walk out and leave a set. I need at least 15 days for my role, a guest appearance.
Since you moved into your new house, things don't seem to be going too well for you. Apparently there is some negative influence...
Is that what people think? I don't care. I have a lovely sister, a wonderful wife, two admirable children, fantastic staff, a great garden, a beautiful house, fantastic white walls, the best amenities in the world. It is lovely and windy in the evenings. I find nothing negative about the house. If Radha thinks there is a problem, then it is her problem. I have nothing to do with it. If you have a house like mine, there can be nothing negative about it!
Several stars seem to be migrating to television. Would you be open to doing a quiz show like Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda? Have you been offered one?
Yes, I have received offers but I have already committed to certain films several months ago. I cannot upset their shooting schedules to fit in with mine. I do not break commitments. Shooting for television means blocking two or three days every month. As soon as I have that time and can make such a commitment, I will do it.
Right at the beginning of your career, you were compared to the likes of Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan...
There should be a limit to these comparisons! It is an honour to be compared to Mr Dilip Kumar as far as acting quality is concerned, but everyone rushes into it. After two films, I was compared to Mr Dilip Kumar and after five films, I was compared to Mr Amitabh Bachchan. It feels nice to be mentioned in the same breath or share the stage with these stalwarts. However, I have to complete at least 50 films and be as good as Amitji is in 'KBC' to be compared with him! By then, he would have done something better. Later, there will be people who will be compared with me too. So, it is totally wrong.
There was a time when you were inspired enough by Amitabh Bachchan to become an actor. Today you are doing your second film with him, incidentally released on KBC...
I wanted to work with a star like Amitji and also with a family (Chopras) who made me a big star. I worked on three tracks in Mohabbatein. Very few people get such an opportunity. I am Adi's (Aditya Chopra) hero and I am working with my hero, Amitabh Bachchan. There is a lot of respect for Mr Bachchan and his achievements, past, present and future. Mohabbatein and now Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham have been more provocative. I keep telling Amitji, 'Come on, let's do an action film or a comedy together.'
You once said that you felt a great exhilaration when you were alongside stalwarts like Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Hema Malini and Sridevi. Do you still feel the same?
Oh yes. It is still a great exhilaration for me. I have grown up with these actors. I also enjoy the company of Madhuri and Juhi. Just the other day, I was telling Kajol how wonderful and easy it was to work with her again. Then I went to another set to shoot with Madhuri. It was so wonderful. I am still very excited to work with these actors. I work as if I am still a fan of theirs, hoping to do justice to what they do. There are so many actors I have not really worked with, like Waheeda Rehmanji and Achala Sachdevji.
In Mohabbatein, you saw a very sober Shah Rukh Khan in a role that was youthful yet quite level-headed. You are also doing a period film with Asoka and a serious one like Devdas. Why this sudden shift to the kind of films you are doing?
Hey, I got One 2 Ka 4 and KC Bokadia's film too! I felt like doing those roles just like I did Baazigar, Darr and Anjaam at one point in time. I felt like doing Dil To Pagal Hai, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai at the same time. I also felt like doing Yes Boss, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. Because of my knee injury, I cannot do too many action films and I feel a little handicapped. I decided to take it easy for six months, so I took up work that did not require much physical exertion. Asoka needed some action but Duplicate had most of it.
Devdas has a very interesting script. Sanjay Bhansali is a good filmmaker and will surely make a good film. Santosh Sivan, who is making Asoka, is also a good filmmaker. Regarding Mohabbatein, people told me in the beginning that I didn't have much of a role in the film. Now suddenly the film is about me!
The number 1 position has always been a very fragile and fickle one. For example, Amitabh Bachchan always seemed to understand that there would come a time when people would reject him and his films. He accepted the age factor gracefully and today he has come back through sheer performance. Unlike him, Rajesh Khanna went through a very rough phase and came to terms with the end of his career. If you were to face such a situation, how would you tackle it?
I will tackle it when it happens. I have never claimed to be a bigger star than Rajesh Khanna or Amitabh Bachchan, faced with this onslaught of fans. I will continue to work in films. My production company will not start making films just for me, nor will I ask for work. That is a strange pride that I possess. If people ask me to work, then I will do it, otherwise not. It would be totally beyond my competence to even comment on the fan following that Mr Khanna or Mr Bachchan had. I can't say whether I'll ever have their kind of following, live and act forever like Sean Connery or die as young as James Dean. It's too early in my career to think about that. If you're not successful, you have no favors.
Both One 2 Ka 4 and KC Bokadia's film seem to have gone on forever...
They will end. Whatever begins, ends. As for Shashilal Nair's One 2 Ka 4, I had the dates but I felt it necessary that the script should change a little. By then we lost other artist's dates. When we got their dates, I had to give mine up to complete Badshah, Yes Boss and Josh. In the meantime, my own production started. Shashilal's film suffered a little as a result. I am responsible for the delay of One 2 Ka 4, mainly because I was behind the postponement of that film. The producer and director will never say that because I helped as much as I could, mainly to complete the film. Then I broke my leg during the first schedule. It was a pity but even the second schedule was stopped because of me. Now it is complete. Thankfully, it does not look outdated. It has music by AR Rahman and we used the same cinematographer to maintain the look of the film. So it is a beautifully shot film.
Is it true that you really helped the producer when Karisma had dropped out of the film?
Yes. The character the girl plays has to be modern and at the same time a gaonwali (village girl). We felt that Karisma could do the modern part but the gaonwali would suffer. We also thought of Raveena and Urmila. Finally, we revised the story and convinced Juhi to sign it. When you see the film, you will understand that Juhi and the kids are carrying it. It has similarities to Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham is your third film with the Johars while it is your second with Karan as the director. How would you describe the experience?
Yash Johar is the most honest, dedicated, hardworking man who is still doing his part. Like the Chopras, the Mirzas and the Mehtas - Juhi and Jai - the Johars are wonderful people. They are like family. I met Karan while he was assisting Adi Chopra for Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Yash Joharji helped me set up my company. He also worked damn hard as a producer for Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. He is a father figure to all of us. He even trained Bobby Chawla to handle Asoka. We call him Tom Uncle. And today he is making Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, one of the biggest films made in India. He is a very big-hearted producer. Even if one of his films did not do well, he would go ahead and make another one with the same if not more enthusiasm!
Karan is one of the best writers in the industry. He writes in real detail. Further, he is also open to ideas and suggestions. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham is a big film for him to tackle but will he do it well because of his humour. Karan is a very special human being. He meets a million people a month and yet makes them all feel special, as if he is their best friend. He has this quality of bringing happiness and sunshine in people's lives. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was a big hit. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham will be even bigger. I know he is capable of doing it.
On the home front, how has Aryan settled in with his little sister Suhana? How are your two little ones?
Aryan is still getting to know them. Suhana loves Aryan very much because he is more or less her height. Other people must look much taller to her! She is very responsive to him. She laughs a lot at whatever he does. The best way to keep her busy is to let Aryan play in front of her. Aryan is still a little possessive with me. He doesn't notice Gauri showering Suhana with her attention as much as he notices me! He doesn't like me sitting with her. When I carry her, he wants to carry her too. Aryan is a very loving child and the age difference between them is good. Neither child will feel lonely. They will grow up together, doing all the things that children do.
Finally, how would you describe Shah Rukh Khan today compared to Shah Rukh Khan 10 years ago? Is there any difference?
As far as I am concerned, there is absolutely no difference. I get a bit impatient at times. That comes from having to do the same things over and over again. I still work the same way. I still have my hands full. I still have the same group of people around me. We have just gotten a little older. I am still here and so are you. The only difference is that I have a lot more memories!