Shah Rukh Khan: I am becoming narcissistic!

Four days before his scheduled surgery on his shoulder, Shah Rukh Khan turned up at a Mumbai hotel, in ripped-torn jeans and a black tee, sleeves casually pushed up his arms. A silver grey stole wound its way twice around the actor's neck, wondering whether to make a fashion statement or not.

As producer of Billu, formerly called Billu Barber ('Barber' was erased from the film's title, following protests from a section of the society who found the word offensive), Khan's daily commitments could leave anyone breathless. He presided over four functions one after another on the same day, all to promote his latest film.

Directed by Priyadarshan (Maalamaal Weekly, Hera Pheri), Billu stars Irrfan Khan and Lara Dutta who, Khan said, play Billu and Bindiya respectively. He added, "There is a saying that goes, 'East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet'. (In the film) We wanted to ask, 'Can the twain meet?' Possible or not, that is what the film is centered around."

Khan treated the media to a reading of the synopsis of Billu, calling himself an "alien" who enters Billu and Bindiya's life. More from the press conference.

You have said you would like to do an ordinary role in a realistic film. Why didn't you play the lead in Billu?
My director (Priyadarshan) said no one could play the lead in Billu except for Irrfan. He didn't want any other big star, just Irrfan because we all know he is a brilliant actor.

I thought I should fight for the role, but then I just let it be because I get to play a superstar, which I am (laughs).

The word 'barber' had to be removed from the title of your film. Do you think it is fair?
Life is not about being fair or unfair. I make films for people. I want the audience to like them.

I have made films (earlier) which hurt a few senior stars. I have said sorry to them because it (the slight) was not intentional.

With Billu, the barbers' union told me very emotionally that the Hindi translation of the word 'barber' could be misused. I agreed and so we removed the word. Legally, there was no problem keeping it. But we often tease people with the Hindi word. Think about it.

Anyway, if a film is good, call it Ullu or Billu, people will still watch it.

You promote your films aggressively with brand association. How does this help your films?
It is all about give and take. If the film fits into the category of an existing product or one about to be launched, media buyers and media sellers associate that product with the film -- and both are promoted.

For example, Om Shanti Om fit a musical product, while Billu suits earthy products. Hence, plywood.

Aamir Khan recently said you are good at PR, but not at marketing. Do you want to prove him wrong?
I don't take compliments from people very seriously. I know what I have to do when it comes to my job. And I don't need to hear about it from other people.

I want people to go watch my film, so I promote it. Since I am producing this film, it is my responsibility. I don't think I need to explain myself.

People like me. That is why I endorse so many products.

Do you think I have worked hard for 20 years just to make a film to prove to someone that I am also good at marketing?

Aamir is a smart guy. I would like to know more about marketing from him.

Do you think now is the right time to revive your web site, srkworld.com?
I would actually like to because I want a site related to me. That, and I am becoming more narcissistic by the day! There should be me and no one else!

After my surgery is done with, I will get started on this.

What is your take on blogging?
It is a very connective and vast medium where you can share your thoughts. Many stars are into it and it is all very well written.

In my case, the media conveys 90 per cent of my thoughts. What would I write about? I don't want to talk about my films or where I am shooting.

On my site, I will talk about Nature and human beings. I would like to talk to the youth and tell them anything is possible if you work hard.

You took off 'barber' from your film thanks to protests. Would you do the same for your next film, My Name Is Khan, should the public have a problem with the word, Khan?
I am just hoping I don't have to remove the word Billu from this film! Someone could suddenly come and say, "My name is Billu," and I will have to take it off.

I really don't want my film to release without a name. Then it will be just me, Irrfan and Lara posing for a film without a name.

SRK's chemistry with other Khans

This week, Shah Rukh Khan would be seen sharing screen space for the first time with yet another 'Khan'- the talented Irrfan Khan. The film in question is SRK's home production Billu and is directed by well-known filmmaker Priyadarshan.

As SRK pairs up with yet another Khan, we takes a trip down memory lane and sees some of Shah Rukh's on-screen pairing with the other 'Khans of Bollywood'.

With Aamir Khan
Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan coming together in one film is a dream come true for any avid movie-goer. While the two 'Khan-tastic' actors are yet to do a full-fledged film together, they were recently seen playing themselves in interesting cameos in Zoya Akhtar's directorial debut Luck By Chance.

Sadly though, they didn't share any screen space. However, hard-core film buffs would know that Aamir and SRK have shared screen space for a few minutes in the Deepak Tijori starrer Pehla Nasha (1993).

Incidentally, that film was directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar (who has directed both Aamir and SRK in Lagaan and Swades respectively). The sequence in Pehla Nasha showed Aamir, SRK, Saif etc congratulating Deepak (who plays an actor in the film) at a film awards show.

With Saif Ali Khan
Like we mentioned earlier, Saif Ali Khan was also one of the stars doing a cameo alongside Aamir, SRK in Ashutosh Gowarikar's Pehla Nasha. A decade after that, in the year 2003, it was Karan Johar who brought back SRK and Saif Ali Khan in Nikhil Advani directed Kal Ho Naa Ho.

The film became a runaway hit and since then SRK and Saif became quite a hit pair. While the duo didn't do any film together post that (barring Saif's cameo in OSO) they have been quite regular at hosting award shows and even in the world of TV commercials, the latest being the Airtel one.

With Fardeen Khan
Shah Rukh Khan did a cameo in the Fardeen Khan- Akshay Kumar- Ritesh Deshmukh starrer Heyy Babyy but unfortunately King Khan and Fardeen didn't get to share screen space. The duo would however be seen in the 'long in the making' flick Dulha Mil Gaya directed by Mudassar Aziz. The film is expected to release later this year.

With Salman Khan
Before their ugly spat last year at Katina Kaif's birthday party, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan starred in many films together. In fact Salman is the 'Khan' with whom Shah Rukh has done maximum films. The duo first starred in Rakesh Roshan's super hit film Karan Arjun way back in 1995.

Post that, Karan Johar got the duo back together in the blockbuster Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and they later starred alongside Madhuri Dixit in K.C. Bokadia's Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002).

Besides the above mentioned films, SRK did a guest appearance in Salman starrer Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega and Sallu returned the favor by grooving in the title track of SRK's home production Om Shanti Om.

The duo also did cameos in the highly forgettable flick Dushman Duniya Ka. We hope the cold war between the two superstars ends soon so that we get to see them back together setting the screen on fire.

With Zayed Khan
In Farah Khan's highly entertaining Main Hoon Na, Shah Rukh Khan and Zayed Khan came together for the first time.

The duo played brothers and complimented each other quite brilliantly. The film is among the high-points of Zayed's career and even though they haven't starred in a film post that, Zayed didn't let go off the chance to shake a leg with SRK in the title track of Om Shanti Om.

With Arbaaz Khan
Shah Rukh and Salman may not be on talking terms now but SRK is still pretty close to Sallu's brother Arbaaz and his wife Malaika. Barring Arbaaz's cameo in the title track of OSO (which featured almost the entire Bollywood fraternity), the duo are yet to star in a film together.