Took a chance with Fan in a hope that audience will like it: Shah Rukh Khan

Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, whose latest release "Fan" has been garnering positive response, says he took a chance with this film as he wanted to present before the audience something which they had never seen before.

"It's (Fan) not a film that heartland audience will like it. But we took a chance thinking hopefully they (audience) will like it, but they need song and dance. I am not unrealistic," Shah Rukh told PTI.

The actor, 50, in his over 20 year-long career has given several blockbusters like "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Chennai Express", "Happy News Year", among others. But some of his films like "Swades", "Chak De! India" did not do good business at the box-office as compared to his other commercial films. 

Watch: Here's what went into the making of Shah Rukh's character Gaurav in Fan

"My last film ('Dilwale') had cars flying, there is dance and all so more heartland audience sees it and non-heartland don't see it. The idea is to make a film that everyone would see it," the actor said.

The "Happy New Year" star appreciates filmmakers who come up with novel ideas. "While (we) were making 'Swades', I had told Ashutosh Gowariker (film director) that hope you know this film will not make much business as the other (commercial) films do. But he had the guts to make a film like 'Swades' with a star like me," he said.

"I think this is what we should celebrate. When a new kind of filmmaker comes, and makes something different with new people as he doesn't have access to others (stars), I really appreciate that. I think it is more appreciated when an
established director, producer, star does something unusual like 'Fan'," he added.

The "My Name Is Khan" star says he chooses to do different stuff on screen as it excites him. "As a person it keeps me going as I feel I have done something different. It also enhances your way of making cinema. Then after six months you can make a commercial film. (American actor) Will Smith does that, he makes a film for numbers as well one those which don't make that much numbers. I feel most actors should try and make that," the actor said.

According to Shah Rukh, there are two types of audience - one that enjoys offbeat films while there are others who like commercial films. Shah Rukh said the audience liked Gaurav more than the character of superstar Aryan Khanna in "Fan" as the role was very fresh and different.

"We have been completely divergent from a star (referring to himself) who is known to have songs and dance in his films. People like different stuff. But if we keep making it again and again may be they won't like it. I think people liked
'Gaurav' more as that was different," SRK said. 

He said some fans have reached out to him after watching the film and complained about certain aspects of the thriller. "Some of the fans said there should have been songs in the film, there should have been an apology once, why is Aryan Khanna so mean, you are not like that in real life, why Gaurav had this kind of end, Gaurav was not wrong. There are some complaints (referring to 'Fan'), there are some flaws that people are saying there will be critical acclaim. But overall it's a different story telling," he said.

According to SRK if a film starts discussion then it means it is interesting. "When you discuss a film later, it means it has left an impact on you. Some people said the second half is not good. But this is how we felt the story (of 'Fan') should have been and narrated it that way," he added.