Yet another thrill ride with Shah Rukh Khan
Praveena Bharadwaj
He is on his toes as usual. On the sets of K. Shashilaal Nair's One 2 Ka 4, anarchy reigns. Frenetic discussions about camera angles, shot sequences and schedules. Shah Rukh Khan, with a cigarette in one hand and chai in the other, leads the tumult. And though stretchy as gum, he is in complete control. So how do you describe a 34-year-old man who is hotter than a forest fire? Standing there, discussing things with his director, he actually seems like an average guy. But he inspires confidence and trust on the sets. Everyone will tell you SRK is a good guy. Duties done, he is ready to dodge my biting questions. Excerpts:
Have you postponed the release of Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani?
No, since the film is titled Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, we want to release the film around Republic Day. We had thought of bringing forward the release date to Diwali. But since we had to complete the background score, we thought it would be better to stick to the original date. Everyone, including the producers of Mela and Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, were curious about our release date. We told everyone that it is in January.
When an actor turns producer, there is usually a serious risk that the film will go over budget. Has your film been over budgeted?
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani is an expensive film. But there is nothing spectacular in it. There is nothing in it that you have not seen before. It is expensive because of our style of working. We did not cut corners or compromise on quality. We shot with two or three cameras simultaneously. If we have the money, why should we be stingy? My partners often warn me against spending so much money. But if the distributors are ready to bankroll me, why should we be kanjoos?
Aren't 12 assistants on the sets a bit too many? They say too much time and money is wasted on awkward discussions.
It is the company's prerogative to decide who to hire. There are so many areas in film production. And you need people to take care of them. I admit that we have some absolutely unskilled employees. But they are young and enthusiastic. Although they don't know much about the production process, I am sure they will learn as they work.
Rumour has it that you shot nearly 2.5 lakh feet of raw footage for Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani.
Films don't go over budget on the basis of the footage. The raw footage is the cheapest part of the film. Yes Boss was shot on the average one and a half lakh feet of footage that is usually used in Hindi films. Ours used a lakh more. We didn't go too far. We shot the film straight from the heart. We weren't worried about the profit margin.
Are you satisfied with the final product?
No, I'm never satisfied with my efforts. It's undoubtedly a good film, but I've only just started. I want to make even bigger films. That's probably what drives me to work harder every day.
You mean if you are not satisfied, you will make more and more expensive films?
If I like the subject and if I get financiers who are ready to support my project, I will go ahead and do it. I have been in the industry for the last seven years. I have made many big films. This industry has given me a lot. Now I want to give back. My way of producing films is my way of giving credit to this industry. By the way, it is a misconception that all my personal expenses are through my production company. Believe me; all the money from the distributors has been judiciously invested in the film. For example, I scrapped a song because I was not satisfied with the lyrics. I had it redone. Any other producer may have had a chalta hai attitude. But not me. Everything has to be perfect.
There is talk of Karan Johar assisting you in Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. Is it true that he shot certain patchwork scenes?
There is no doubt that Karan is helping me in the film. But he is involved in the costume department. He is in charge of our look and the wardrobe that we wear in the film. The look of the film is very youthful and modern. Since Aziz Mirza and I know nothing about clothes, Karan and Manish Malhotra are looking after that department. As far as Karan's direction in Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani is concerned, people can say anything. They could say that Karan directed the film. Well, as far as that goes, Yash Chopra, Aditya Chopra, K. Sashilaal Nair, Aziz Mirza, Santosh Sivan and I are jointly directing the film. Ha!
As an actor, you are at the top. What has your experience been like as a producer?
Every producer I have worked with has given me free rein. So it's not like I'm out to fulfill my unfulfilled desires through my production company. I love holding the negatives of the film in my hand. It gives me a rush. I am grateful to this industry that has given me so much. I want to give it a production company that works with modern techniques. So, ultimately, I am walking the talk. I didn't make this film to make money. I have bought new cameras, dollies, cranes and other new equipment. I will also rent these out to other production companies.
You have several incomplete films. Apart from Mohabbatein, you have not started any new film. Is it because you want to complete Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani first?
The backlog has nothing to do with Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. My film cannot be blamed for the delays in other projects. My schedule has been evenly distributed. In a month, I keep 10 days for my film and 20 for other producers. Also, I do not do more than four films in a year.
But this year you had only one release, Badshah...
Yes. But I was busy with four other films too. K. Sashilaal Nair's One 2 Ka 4 has been postponed and so has Mansoor Khan's Josh. I feel it is wrong to start a new film without completing my backlog. Now my film has ended. So has Sashilaal's. Even Josh is nearing the finish line.
Your films with Ram Gopal Varma, Rajkumar Santoshi and David Dhawan were announced long ago. Why have they not been started?
They have not been postponed because of me. Rajkumar Santoshi's film will start only after he narrates the story to Aamir Khan. Aamir is also busy with Lagaan. I have given my word to Bharatbhai Shah that I will do Rajkumar Santoshi's film. But I have not even spoken to Rajji till now. I have not taken any subscription amount for this film or David Dhawan's film or for that matter even for Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar's upcoming films.
Coming to Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein, why were you willing to work in a film which has such a huge cast? Also, Aditya is introducing his brother Uday in the film.
There are some people with whom I have a long relationship. I don't ask them out when they approach me for a film. People are more important to me than scripts. Before starting a film, it is important for me to be able to discuss my ideas with the people I am going to work with. As far as the Chopras are concerned, they know me very well. And if they have Shah Rukh Khan, why wouldn't they make full use of him?
Is it true that you asked for 50 per cent of the overseas price of Mohabbatein as your compensation?
False. I have heard that rumour too. Yash Chopra is far too much of a senior for me to talk to him about money. The Chopras and I respect each other. I am priceless to them in more ways than one. As they are to me. I know they will pay me well. When I do Mohabbatein, it is not the money that is important. I am thinking of the respect and fame I will get by doing this film. I have done Darr, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Dil To Pagal Hai with the Chopras. Can you tell me the price I was supposed to get for those films? I became Shah Rukh Khan because of those films.
Another allegation against you is that you have restricted yourself to only big producers and directors. You have become unattainable for smaller names.
This is not true. I meet people and I am constantly reading new scripts on my computer. It is not true that I have restricted myself to big names. Remember, I have worked with Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra too.
But Aditya Chopra is Yash Chopra's son and Karan is Yash Johar's son, both are big names. Also, the two young directors are your friends.
Sorry, it is unfair to discredit them like that. It is a fact that they were just assistants when they approached me. Never mind that they were born as the sons of Yash Chopra and Yash Johar? What was Yash Johar's position after Duplicate? Karan was at a disadvantage. Many people warned me against doing Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. They told me that working with a bankrupt producer would hurt my career. But today Karan is a seasoned director. People had also warned me about K. Sashilaal Nair's film. They said that Nasir Ahmed is not a big producer. But I don't listen to such advice.
The rumour in the market is that Aishwarya Rai will no longer play your sister in Josh. She will be your girlfriend.
Who told you this? As far as I know, there has been no change in the plot. It is surprising how people make up stories about me and my films. Earlier, they used to say that Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was directed by Yash Chopra. Then they said that Aditya Chopra directed Dil To Pagal Hai. Now they say that my film is directed by Karan Johar. In each of these rumours, I am the common factor. Ha!
Some of your directors think you interfere too much in their projects.
Who says that? Probably those I haven't worked with. There's this misconception about me. It's impossible that any of my directors would have said that. Well, if someone says I'm the meddling type, I can't argue with that. Yes, I do interfere. And it's better that people understand that before they hire me. I interfere so that my close-ups are better. Yes, I'm self-centered, egotistical and selfish. Ha! If anyone still wants to work with me, they'll have to wait another two years for me to interfere in their films too.
OK, calm down. Tell me, what went wrong with Badshah?
(Laughs) Maybe I should have interfered more. I feel the film has quite a few loose ends. It could have been cut by another 20 minutes. But I loved the film. I am keen to do a second part. Actually, everyone enjoyed the film. I thought it was a film for the masses but it turned out to be a film for the classes. I made Aryan watch the film. It was the first film of his life and he enjoyed it thoroughly. Now he constantly sings the title song.
You have become a real socialite. You are seen at every party in the city.
Really? I go wherever my wife goes. I am content to go out. I throw parties at home like anyone else. But when Shah Rukh Khan throws a party, I am called a party-goer. To be honest, I feel awkward at parties. But when friends call, I make it a point to come. But I also love going to a cafe with friends. I have been doing that since my days in Delhi. If that makes me a socialite, then maybe I am one.