“No one has offered me an international film,” says King Khan, without a hint of remorse. High on the success of his latest film Fan, Shah Rukh says, “Many actors like Irrfan Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Priyanka Chopra and now Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor are doing Hollywood films, and it’s gutsy. They are all fantastic actors, they have taken that chance and it’s encouraging.
“I have not got that offer and I am not ready to take that chance,” he says, adding, “My films have done well internationally and I am trying to do films on par with their films here in Bollywood.”
“I wish to bring the best of cinema here for our countrymen… like Ra.One, for which, in terms of technology, I spent a lot of money… We can do a film on space here. In a few years such films will be made. I have never tried it nor got that opportunity.” He adds, “I would like to maintain the pride of the country like these actors have.”
Control your ego
“As a star, you have to remember that you are not what you are on screen. You are not larger than life. When I stood with the ‘Miss Indias’, I was so short. They were all six feet. In Raees I walk with a swagger. I can’t believe that I can be like that. You have to know that you are not that image; you are working for that image. You have to have that sanity.”
He adds, “When I was a newcomer I did less work. I have to remember that I am not that character on screen yet while portraying that character I need to have that strong belief in me of being able to fulfill what it requires.”
India is all about stars and their fans. “If there is no madness for stardom, there will be lack of inspiration. Many of us get inspired by our heroes like Sachin Tendulkar or Kapil Dev and others,” says SRK with a smile.
“Here in India people make temples for stars… Hindi films exist because of that. The fandom is larger here and if that finishes, films will not survive. In Hollywood it’s not like that. But in the South the craze is even more. But my stardom is not a luxury car or my bungalow. They are peripherals of my stardom. It is difficult to be a star,” he concludes.
