'One has to do the right thing, whatever the outcome'

His name is Khan. But to his legion of fans across the world he's much more than a name. Now in his 17th year in Hindi cinema, Shah Rukh Khan has just delivered in My Name Is Khan what many think to be his most accomplished performance.

Do you plan to enter politics?
People keep talking about my friendship with certain individuals in a particular party (Congress). But i've known Rajiv Shukla before he joined the Congress. And i know Soniaji, Rahul and Priyanka just as i know other interesting people from other walks of life.

How do you look back on the run-in with the Shiv Sena?
It was a total waste of time and energy. It was confusing. What was i supposed to apologise for? Later i heard on television that i wasn't expected to apologise.

Not for a second did i feel any aggression towards anyone. I only felt the futility of it all. I was calm throughout. I know Balasaheb and Uddhav Thackeray well. We meet cordially whenever the occasion arises. But we're on different playing fields. I'm in the business of cinema. They're in politics. And we should keep it that way.

Did the trouble with the Shiv Sena take away from the pleasure of enjoying the success of My Name Is Khan?
The troubles that happened did take away from my thrill of the release. Frankly i was anxious about the safety of my family, colleagues, my office staff and fans. God forbid, even if one member of the audience had suffered any injury while going to see My Name Is Khan, i'd have never forgiven myself.

What about the financial losses?
I really didn't care about that. I can make money even dancing at private events. It's no big deal. But there was no question of retracting my statement. Because to do so, i had to be proven wrong about what i had said.

You are no stranger to controversies?
During Billu we unconsciously ended up hurting the hairstylists with the title of our film. And, the Muslim community was offended with the song Marjani. We sorted it out, even if it meant financial losses. One has to do the right thing, whatever the outcome.

Looking back on the whole run-in with the Sena, what are your thoughts?
I feel deeply saddened by the whole thing. I was privileged to have a father who was a freedom fighter. Not too many of us can claim such a privilege. He once said to me, 'I had a hand in your birth.But i also had a hand in the birth of a free India.'

I didn't want my father's struggle to go waste. When my son is 44 like i am now, i want him to be as proud of me as i am of my father.

Now you're getting back in action on screen?
Yes my injured back is fine. But the shoulder is not that sturdy yet. I strained it again recently and it's hurting. Ra.1 and then Don 2 would be the testing grounds for my physical recovery. I want to see if i can pull off the full-on action parts. I'll know if i can only when i do the films.