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I learn from every character: Shahrukh Khan
August 8th, 2009
Q. 1: Shahrukh on his next movie ‘My Name Is Khan’Ans. 1: “My Name Is Khan is not just a film, it is a passion project; something that will take me forward in the rightful manner. Everytime I work with Karan (Johar) I feel like a big star. The film is not about any anti-social topic. It is about relationships.”
Q. 2: Shahrukh on importance of his next film’s title MNIK
Ans. 2: “I don’t think this film could have been called anything else. Even if this film had some other name, I am sure it will have a big impact on people.”
Q. 3: Shahrukh on allegations that he has a superiority complex among all reigning Khans.
Ans. 3: “My work is much more important to me than my name. The name of the film My Name Is Khan is pertinent and has precise and logical relevance to the film. If I was obsessed with my name I would have loved to call it ‘My Name is Shah Rukh Khan’.”
Q. 4: Shahrukh intricates elements of ‘My Name is Khan’
Ans. 4: “My Name is Khan is about relationships with elements of Western world and Islam. It’s not about a disabled man’s fight against disability. It’s a disabled man’s fight against the disability that exists in the world — terrorism and hatred.”
Q. 5: Shahrukh on his shoulder injury
Ans. 5: “I am fine but it will take me a little while to do ‘Marjaani’ song again. (smiles and shakes his shoulder).”
Q. 6: Shahrukh on new age cinema
Ans. 6: “Cinema today is brave, new and entertaining.”
Q. 7: On portraying Rizvan Khan
Ans. 7: “I am a serious actor though many people think otherwise. I try to give my best to each character I play. I learn from each character I portray on screen. The character I play in My Name is Khan is all the more special as he suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome.”
Q. 8: Shahrukh on his pairing with Kajol
Ans. 8: “Kajol and I will be seen together after many years. Kajol plays my wife Mandira Khan. Karan thinks we are the best on-screen couple. I know there are a lot of expectations but there is no Suraj Hua Madhyam type song and romance in My Name Is Khan.”
Q. 9: Shahrukh on his association with Karan Johar
Ans. 9: “Although ‘My Name Is Khan’ is co-produced by my small company Red Chillies Production and Karan’s Dharma Production, there can never be a deal between me and Karan. Our coming together is more on an emotional note than for any monetary deal.”
Q. 10: Shahrukh on challenge for performing a character with a disability
Ans. 10: “I can’t cheat with the character of Rizvan Khan as this character has a disorder. I can’t have it in my style. There are internal and external crutches attached to this character.”
Q. 11: Shahrukh on his concern for his films
Ans. 11: “My films are important for me. They are important entertainment wise, content wise. I am concerned whether people will like it or not; whether critics would approve of it or not.”
Q. 12: Shahrukh on ‘My Name Is Khan’ being special
Ans. 12: “I think it is the most special film of my career. It is the biggest, most extraordinary film of my journey. I hope I don’t let it down as an actor and as a co-producer.”
Q. 13: Shahrukh on controversies surrounding his movies
Ans. 13: “I think we are educated, sensible and sensitive people. We will not sell a film by creating controversies. It has never been an intention to create an euphoria by creating a controversy. I know these are people out there are sensitive set of people, we are all the more careful not to show bias on any section of society.”
Q. 14: On safety measures taken for MNIK to avoid controversies
Ans. 14: “My Name Is Khan has sensitive elements as the protagonist suffers from a disorder. We are trying to be more careful and make sure we don’t give a biased presentation of the character. The film involved lot of research and detailing, and that’s the reason why it is taking long to make. And I hope people who also have ‘Khan’ name will not sue us.” (laughs, hinting controversy surrounding his film Billu Barber that was renamed to Billu)
Q. 15: On deal with Fox STAR studios
Ans. 15: “Fox STAR studios will finance and distribute My Name is Khan globally. When I first heard about Fox STAR I thought it has to do something with Megan Fox (laughs). I think Fox has given us an opportunity to take Indian Cinema beyond horizons.”
Q. 16: Elaborating about the distribution deal
Ans. 16: “We were in talks with Fox for over a year and a half. It is the first mainstream Bollywood film to be distributed by Fox STAR worldwide. I hope the film will enthrall the audience across the globe.”
Q. 17: Shahrukh on his past milestone characters
Ans. 17: “I learn from every character. I try to better my performance with each character I get to play.”
Q. 18: On his journey in filmdom
Ans. 18: “I have spent 20 years in this industry, Karan has spent 15. I think we are people with good thinking. We want to make good films.”
Q. 19: Shahrukh on his expectations
Ans. 19: “I love the protagonist of MNIK. I hope people will also love him, sympathize with him. It is a very challenging concept. I hope people like it. I hope the film will tug at their heart strings.”
Q. 20: On his on-screen romance with Kajol
Ans. 20: “Even though there are no romantic songs between my and Kajol, the love story between the two main characters, Rizvan and Mandira, forms the soul of the movie. It is dramatic, important and wonderful.”
Q. 21: On allegation that he once said I am the only Khan here
Ans. 21: I say a lot of things. Please don’t be after my life for everything I say.
Q. 22: Shahrukh on his performance in MNIK
Ans. 22: “Karan has called me many times from the editing table to give me a thumbs up for my performance. He and others have appreciated my work. I hope I am good in this film.”
The movie My Name is Khan was scheduled to release in December but is delayed. The movie is only releasing early next year. Rushing it would have lead to many compromises on a creative level feel Shah Rukh and Karan Johar.
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol have completed the first schedule of My Name is Khan in Los Angeles and have come back from US now.
