I am not like Rahul or Raj in reality: Shah Rukh Khan

It has been 25 years since Shah Rukh Khan has been ruling Bollywood. Having made his cinematic debut with Deewana in 1992, the star has acted in a plethora of films over the years. While one would imagine him to be confident about his projects and have the industry on his fingertips by now, Shah Rukh feels otherwise, reported  Hindustan Times.

When asked if new releases still make him nervous, the Dilwale star said, “I don’t know if I am nervous before a film’s release but I am concerned for sure. So, it’s not as if I don’t sleep properly or am troubled if a film is coming up but I’m still not confident about it.”



But why an actor of Shah Rukh's stature even concerned about how his films will be received? “Mujhko concern rehta hai because you always hope that the film you have made and the story you are telling will be liked by more people, because you feel for the film,” states Shah Rukh. “On the other hand, as a movie star who has been around for 25 years, you also want to entertain people, and sometimes, finding that mix between telling a story and entertaining is difficult. Sometimes, it just happens even when we don’t realise it.”

Shah Rukh Khan as Raj in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayengay. PHOTO: KOI MOI

Shah Rukh admits that the release dates of just a handful of films are calculated in advance, while most of them are decided when the shooting is near completion. “Especially when it comes to our commercial films — which have song and dance sequences — they might have some calculations. As, some film-makers do think of a few set parameters such as releasing it around Diwali or other festivals,” he added.



He reveals that film-makers and actors are always aware that they are making a film with a good heart, and that is why they also assume that the storyline will be liked by others too. “For me, it goes like this: somebody tells me a story and then I want to be a part of it. But since other people are also attached to a film, I am more concerned now. You start being responsible when you have been working for two and a half decades. So, I’m concerned, yes, but not worried or nervous.”

Shah Rukh Khan as Rahul in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. PHOTO: FILE

Shah Rukh’s last release, Raees, saw his on-screen avatar being compared with his roles in films such as Darr and Anjaam which he did at the start of his career.



Speaking about this, he says, “It has been 25 years, and one day, I want to hear that Shah Rukh isn’t back in the same role, and that he has finally done something new. I hope someday somebody will say it, or maybe, somewhere along the line, they’ll say I have done everything.”

Screengrab from Raees

Defending his role in Raees, he states, “It was very interesting the way Rahul Dholakia and the writers wrote the story of Raees. Maybe other actors have done such roles in the past, but for me, it was new.”

Despite being a versatile actor, Shah Rukh insists that he is far from his on-screen characters in real life. “Be it Rahul or Raj, or Raees or Sunil, it’s just an act. I’m not like any of them in reality.”

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