Salman Khan is a wonderful guy: Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan clears controversies (read tiff with Salman Khan), discusses Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, and oodles more. Vajir Singh submits his blockbuster SRK interview for editing and cries quietly since we can only fit in excerpts

Which question would disturb you the most?
At times, I’m asked stupid questions. I feel they’re stupid because I’m not qualified to answer them. Like I was asked by someone how I would be celebrating my birthday with my parents. I don’t get angry but I get confused.

Once, we would form our opinions on the basis of information from newspapers and television. Now it’s no longer information. It’s an analysis by someone that X is correct and Y is wrong.

So often I’m like, “What’s going on? It was never like this.” I haven’t spoken to certain newspapers and magazines for years. Not because I hold it against them or because I’ve an ego problem. I just don’t want to feed into that wrong analysis. It’s nothing personal.

Does this irritate you?
It doesn’t but I’m like, “Chhod na yaar, I don’t want to be a part of this.” I don’t like swimming but I’m not irritated when I see others swimming. Why be judgmental? I take my kids to the swimming pool.. I sit in a corner, have a coffee and cigarette, and then I’m asked, “You don’t swwiiiimm?” Listen, there’s nothing wrong in swimming but I don’t swim.

Salman Khan has been stating in print that he can’t forget or forgive you.
See, every time either of us talks about this, it only creates animosity between the two of us. I don’t wish to comment on his comments. Because I know he must have said this in an interview which was meant for something else but someone asked him this. He’s a wonderful guy, his family is wonderful, I really like them. I respect everyone.

Please continue.
Already the conversation that must have happened has been analysed. It’s been analysed that I spoke badly about XYZ and that’s why all this happened. Then it’s analysed why someone didn’t go for a party. Or why Viveik Oberoi came for my birthday party.

I can’t understand how someone who has achieved so much in life — I speak for myself and for Salman — can go on and on about what has been described as a 20-minute tiff.

I’ve got a Padmashree in India, I’ve been honoured in Malyasia and France.. I’m at Madame Tussaud’s. I have a Rs 200 crore turnover for the work I do, I’ve got a lovely house, beautiful children, a lovely family. I’ve got beautiful friends like you guys.

Perhaps the only good thing which came out of the tiff is that we both have realised that we’re two different people. And I think we both respect that. He’s wonderful in his place and I’m wonderful in mine. It’s like I don’t like to play golf, he likes to play golf. We’re not friends. I’ve reached a stage in my life where I can’t NOT forgive someone.. or where I can’t NOT forget someone. I don’t hold anything against anyone.

To be very honest, I don’t even think I’m big enough to forgive anybody. I’m nobody. And I’ve got too much goodwill thinking within me.

Ah, okay. Let’s talk about Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Why invite the entire media on your birthday to promote the film?
Whenever there’s any occasion in my house, the media has to remain outside. I feel very bad about this. So I’ve made a rule that whenever the media is outside, I’ll call them in.

Even when there’s a party at my place I tell them that none of the invitees will talk to them or say anything.. so go back home. They’re young boys and girls who can be somewhere else doing some really important work. Why hang around outside my house?

On my birthday, Diwali and Eid, it has become my duty to call them inside and wish them on their channel.

As far Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Yashji (Chopra) said “I’ll give you the film’s first look as a birthday gift at your home.” Adi (Aditya Chopra) also said the same. The publicity was supposed to start a week ago. I was nonplussed. Why were they wasting an entire week of publicity because of my birthday? But it was their way of showing their affection. This entire year I had no release, so Adi said all the channels would get the first song only on my birthday.

What should one expect from Shah Rukh Khan and Aditya Chopra’s combination this time?
It’s a heartwarming film which will remind you of Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It’s very entertaining. It’s not big-looking like Om Shanti Om but has its own appeal. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen or participated in a film like this. (Smiles) And I think I’ve done a good job.

It’s believed that like last year with Chak De! India this year too you’ll rescue Yash Raj from the doldrums.
I was telling someone the other day that Yash Raj does not make a film with me. Emotionally, when they feel that they’ve the nicest story to tell, they call me. They don’t call me for a job. And I don’t go and do a job for them.

It’s believed that the film has shades of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Golmaal and Raj Kapoor’s Satyam Shivam Sundaram. I was asked if the film is about an old man falling in love with a young girl. I know all sort of talk is going around but I can assure you that it’s an original.

After Om Shanti Om, you’re again working with a newcomer (Anoushka). Any specific reason?
I never cast my co-actors. I work with directors, not actors. Adi was very convinced that we needed a new girl. In my next film for Karan (Johar), I’m paired with Kajol. And in Billoo Barber, I’m there with three girls.

If you hadn’t rejected Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots and Shankar’s Robot, wouldn’t you have had another release this year?
Haan yaar thodasa timing mein kuchh galat ho gaya. I had kept dates for both the films, then both of them were taken away. How can I reject a film? The directors rejected me.

In both the cases, they felt I wasn’t really suitable for the roles after all. So, in Robot I was replaced by Rajnikant sir and in 3 Idiots by Aamir (Khan). I think I should have started Don 2 but I kept them on hold and they made Rock On!! (Smiles) And that worked in their favour.

And how come you didn’t invite the Bachchan family for your birthday?
They weren’t in town actually and you should know that since you’re in the know of things. Social commitments in my life are made by my wife. I’ve never invited anyone in my life. I feel too shy. I tell my wife, her friend Kajal (Anand) or Karan to do the inviting. Kareena Kapoor didn’t come.. Saif Ali Khan didn’t come. Does that mean they hate me? Of course not.

Inspiration behind SRK's look in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Yash Raj Films timed the release of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi's promo aptly and made sure Ghajini's promo became a stale news. The talk of the town soon became Shahrukh's matured and elderly look with a moustache in the movie. Now the secret of the look is out and the inspiration has turned out to be SRK's game show Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai?

Shahrukh will play dual roles in the movie and both his looks have drawn inspiration from his TV show. The moustache look of the character Surinder Sahni is inspired by a government servant who could not make through the first round in the show. The character of Raj Kapoor is inspired by another hero like contestant from the show.


Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is the third movie in a row where Shahrukh will be seen in a new look. In Chak De India he was seen sporting an unshaven look while in the blockbuster Om Shanti Om he shocked all his fans with six pack abs. Aditya Chopra will be directing Shahrukh after a long time. In the past the duo will deliver blockbusters like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Mohabbatein. The movie will introduce model Anushka Sharma as Shahrukh's leading lady.

What SRK’s Lovely wife thinks of him…

Shah Rukh Khan India’s most admired actor the whole Bollywood fraternity is celebrating his birthday. Here we reproduce an article on what his wife Gauri Khan thinks of SRK.

The reticent Gauri was more forthcoming those days. She said, “He loves to exaggerate, to make a big thing of everything. He speaks of our meeting as if it was the greatest romance that ever happened but that’s not true at all. I was merely 14 and in school.

He was 19 and in college. We met at parties, socials and fetes. We played games together but we were always in a group, never alone. And there was no earth-shattering realisation that this is love. I liked him and I guess he liked me but that’s about it.

“Today he loves to dramatise the whole thing and behave like it was a great thing. It was later, when we’d been meeting for a few years, that our friendship grew. We knew each other for eight years before we married. And I must admit I was totally confused. His being a Muslim and entering films caused a lot of tension in my family.

They were totally against it and though I was clear I wanted to marry him, I wasn’t quite easy with the fact that he was entering films. But gradually my parents got to know him and found him cool.

“Being married to him is the easiest thing. He’s an easy person to be with. And particularly with me, he is so caring that I have gained a lot of confidence from being with him. If I say anything to him, he listens (hastily amends), pretends to listen as if it is the single most delightful thing to have me tell him anything. If I pluck a leaf, he tells me the way I do it, is the only way to do it. Everything I do is perfect with him and though I know he’s trying to please me, it’s a quality I like very much.

But (with great perspicuity) all that is a pretence, he’s very, very stubborn. No one can make him do anything he doesn’t want to or not do something that he wants to. He may pretend that he’s listening to you and do what you want but if he doesn’t agree to it, then he won’t do it.

But he’s so convincing that if we are discussing or arguing, before the issue can be resolved, he has persuaded you to his own point of view so naturally and convincingly that though you see through him, you give in to him. He does it charmingly, not connivingly — that’s what’s so endearing about him.

“The two of us have nothing in common. That’s why I think we were attracted — opposite poles and all that. I’m a very laidback person.

Very little affects me. I’m different with Shah Rukh though. Not so phlegmatic. In the sense that if he ever tries to tell me off or slightly to put me down or not give me the attention I want, I will not take it. Even now if something like that happens, I just ignore him and start doing my own thing. I can be with him and still withdraw totally.

“What would hurt me very much is if he ever lied to me. I might lie to him (laughs) but not in fundamentals. I wouldn’t cheat him. I do not contribute to his film life, not an ounce, but that’s because I don’t want to.

“Personally though, I think I bring happiness into his life — joy, a smiling face. When he comes home, I am there. I serve him food, am nice to him, laugh with him, watch movies together, party together and he does the same — gives me satisfaction, makes me smile all the time. I hate tension of any kind and he makes me feel at ease wherever I am and makes me feel that whatever I am doing is the best. I experience his love for me.”

Shah Rukh on Gauri

“The greatest quality she possesses is her genuineness… and it’s such a pleasure to come home to someone who’s so real. She’s outspoken, she can be rude at times but she doesn’t give in to diplomacy. She is everything I am not. She complements me. I like to think that what I am is because of what she is. I would be a different person otherwise.

“I am a difficult person to be with. I am temperamental and eccentric. She doesn’t give in to my temperament at times, sometimes she does. She doesn’t listen to me all the time, sometimes she does. I’d say she handles me very well. And that’s not her only claim to fame! She is very genuine, something that I can never be perhaps.

“She means everything to me. She’s the only person I’d go and cry in front of. I used to be quite a slob, quite a bachelor in my ways. I’d never eat at the dining table. I’d throw clothes wherever I took them off. She’s changed all that. I try to do what she likes because she likes it and I respect that.

“What I expect from her is to be herself at all times. I expect her to be the Gauri I fell in love with and I hope she never changes. There are no expectations — whatever happens happens and I like what happens. What does she expect from me? Everything. She expects me to do everything and I do it.

“She knows she’s more beautiful in my eyes than my co-stars and that’s what’s more important to her, I guess. If I had to choose between peace of mind and a piece of a**, I’d choose the former (quoting a dialogue from Forrest Gump).

He signs off mock arrogantly. “We have just one thing in common. I love me and she loves me and that’s the only thing we agree upon.” She retorts, “People ask me how does it feel being married to a star like Shah Rukh? That’s ridiculous — for me he’s my husband, not a star. The day I see him as a star, our relationship will suffer very much.”

Everybody wants to be loved, says Shah Rukh

That’s what Rab De Bana Di Jodi is all about, says SRK who knows a thing or two about being loved…

Shah Rukh Khan does things king-size. With Om Shanti Om last year, he took the promotion of a film to a new level. Then, that became the standard. Now, with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, he wants to go several steps ahead.

Fact: SRK knows marketing so well, it’s a good thing for many in the field that he chose acting instead. SRK is teaching ‘Hush’ Raj Films a thing or two on how to sell a film. Read on as he talks about his pet project.

You’re actively involved with Rab De. Comment.
Yes, I wanted to start talking about my role and the film sooner, but Adi requested me not to do so before the 2nd.

Is Rab De… anything like Amol Palekar’s Golmaal?
No. I have based my characters in Rab De… on two people I met during Paanchvi Pass. The production house would give me DVDs of all the finalists. I requested them to give me the DVDs of everyone who auditioned.

These are half-an-hour dvds, where the contestants dance, sing, and answer questions. So, in all, you get a good view of this person. I based one character on this guy who didn’t make it to the show. And the other character, on this guy who came on the show. He was from Punjab and he played a guitar. I have forgotten his name, but I remember he called John Abraham, John Ibrahim. And I have also used that in the film.

Are you worried about being accepted as the simple Surinder?
Adi and I were not sure if we should unveil the deglamourised part of the film first to the audiences, but then we decided that ‘this’ is the film. And I firmly believe: Never lie to people about your film in your promos. We should tell them what the film is, let them make a choice. People who are anyways going to watch a film with Adi and me, will come anyway, thinking kuch toh hoga. Because there is a certain quality attached to the kind of work that we do. So we went ahead with that look. We want people to get used to it. I remember for Chak De! India I got lot of backlash for my beard. They said, ‘It looks horrible’ ‘He doesn’t look nice.’ This is because of lack of knowledge of what the film is, then you build it up. I really have no denial about the storyline when people assume things. Adi gets very disturbed. He’s very secretive.

So let the secret out now!
It’s a very beautiful and simple story. Of finding yourself within your own head and heart. I love the tagline Every ordinary jodi has an extraordinary love story. But extraordinary is to them. If you start telling me your love story about ‘how he quietly stole out of the office and got me this biscuit because I was sick that day.’ I will be like, ‘haan yaar theek hai na.’ Even though to you it is a very special memory. For someone else, the story is, ‘he flew to Australia to get me 1968 ka wine..which was not available here.’

And your love story would be…?
To me, it would be that ’she called’. She called me when she was in the middle of whatever. And the film is like that. About a character called Surinder Sawhney who works for Punjab Power and he tries to light up your life.

Adi hasn’t made a film in a long time…
(Cuts in) I am very proud of the fact that Adi decided to do a film like this after Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Mohabbatein. Which is only about two people. There is no third character, except for Vinay Pathak, who is there for a bit of the film. There are only three people in the two-odd hours. I just saw it, and it’s very heartening, very pleasant, very nice and it makes you want you to be in love with yourself. I feel 80 per cent of the people look at a star and say, ‘I am like that.’ That’s why you like a star. And the other 20 per cent look at a star and think, ‘I want to be like that.’

I think it’s more aspirational. People want to be like their idols. They don’t think they are like them.
I don’t agree. Otherwise, I would not be a star… I am so normal.

Maybe it is the characters you played that fans wanted to emulate.
When I started out, it was different. Now when you look at me, the persona walks in before I do. But before this, when I came, people said he is too thin, he’s brown, his hair is like a bear, he speaks too fast, he doesn’t dance too well,and his clothes are too loose.

But you still worked!
Yes, but I didn’t work as a pin-up boy. I worked because a lot of people are like me. Every big star in this world has worked because he or she is a mirror, in which people see themselves. I am responsible for creating lots of Rajs and Rahuls. A lot of hip cool guys. But I am not a hip, cool guy. I am actually Suri (Short for Surinder, his character in Rab De). Adi is Suri, Karan is Suri but we have a persona, which we like to be and we become comfortable with it and start living it. I live it. I live like a king. I am King Khan. But I am not actually King Khan.
I want people to understand that. I have given audiences, guys they would like to be. Now I’m giving them the guys they are. And I want every woman to fall in love with her lover and say kaisa bhi hai, yeh hi hai.

So the tagline should be, come fall in love… with your man.
The whole beauty of the film is a woman feeling about her man: Itne interesting nahin hain, itne handsome bhi nahin hain, actually thode boring hain… lekin this is it. I don’t know why, but I love him. It’s like a parent feeling my kid is so damn special, but maybe he is not special. Your husband may be so special to you, but maybe he is not special… try and sell him as a speciality outside. He won’t. I see women who love their husbands so much. You see 90 per cent of the really pretty ladies loving very simple-looking men and you wonder what she sees in him? Even my wife yaar… who am I in front of Gauri? She was always a much hipper person than I ever was. This film is the answer to the world’s query of what she sees in him. She sees him. That’s the answer.

So, what does Gauri see in you?
There’s something more to a man that you love. Than a good father, brother, husband, and being caring and sweet, has a great sense of humour. Ask any girl what you like in a man and she will say He should have nice eyes, he should be honest, and have a sense of humour… Very few women will say, his butt. In Rab De, the girl’s only criteria is: he should love me. That I think is the honest truth. We have forgotten that one basic trait that includes it all, including the attractive butt. Everyone just wants to be loved. There’s a guy we are trying to create in Rab De. A guy a woman can say: Can you just love me, can you just spend time with me. I ask so much girls that I know, why do you like me. They say: you are just nice, you like us back. You respect us. That’s what I think it’s all about.

Sarita Tanwar, Mid-Day

SRK not inaugurating the Kolkata Film Festival

West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya recently announced at a press conference that the week long 14th Kolkata Film Festival would flag off from November 10. Reportedly, he had invited Bollywood’s superstar Shah Rukh Khan to inaugurate the Festival. According to sources, Buddhadeb chose SRK to make the event a high profile one in order to take the attention away from the Nadigram carnage and also to tide over the Nano setback.

A source said, “Shah Rukh was invited to inaugurate the Kolkata Film Festival this year. However the governing bodies of the film festival disapproved of the choice and questioned as to why they should have Shah Rukh Khan inaugurate it.”

When we asked Shah Rukh whether he would be inaugurating the festival, he replied, “No. I am not as I will be busy shooting the last song for Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and the timings couldn’t be worked out.”
It’s a loss for all the SRK fans in Kolkata especially as Shah Rukh Khan’s popularity had soared tremendously amongst the public courtesy his Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders. The actor would have continued his association with the state had he had accepted the invitation.

The eight-day cinematic extravaganza will include the screening of 276 recently released films from all over the globe. The festival will have 17 Indian entries, 44 short-films, eight documentaries and seven children’s films. A hundred foreign films from 62 countries will also be included, of which the majority will be Latin American films.