He’s ‘King’ of the world all right. Shah Rukh Khan, who stands up for what he believes in and he is grateful, above all, for the success and support he’s got from his fans, speaks about his controversies in a more forgiving fashion. Truly, he’s a bigger global icon than anyone else at this point in time – Brad Pitt included (if Time magazine is to be believed). The Badshah of Bollywood gave some memorable quotes in a question-and-answer session with Zoom recently. Some excerpts...
You were missing in action most of 2009, but 2010 seems to be the year of ‘Khan’...
We have to give other actors a chance. So I thought, let people make hay while the sun is away. I’m just kidding.
That sounds slightly bad...
It sounds little harsh, I guess. I do about two-three films and I like working more than that, but it kind of takes away from me as a person. But then there must be a reason. I must’ve done something wrong to get injured (shoulder). I’m overdone, with all the sins paid for. And thirdly, I got a chance to spend quality time with my kids. If I spend time with them now, they won’t be as whacky and bad as I am.
Farah Khan is making her next with Akshay Kumar. How much has that changed your friendship and equation with her?
Personally, it hasn’t. People assume this question will anger me. It doesn’t bother me. She has done a film with me. Now she’s doing one with someone else. I’m not going to ask her why she did that. It’s her choice. I don’t want to sound rude to anyone, but the films I do as an actor are the most important to me. I’m so caught up in this world of what I’m doing and the people who’re working with me. That is my whole social and professional life. So if you are not working with me, I’m not wishing you good or bad. But I wish her the best. She’s a great filmmaker. She doesn’t tell me not to work with XYZ actor, so how can I tell her?
How’s your equation with Aamir?
I think many a time, Aamir has misconstrued my sense of humour and now he has countered it with his sense of humour, and I respect that. But I’ve never had any ill-will or any disturbing fallouts with Aamir. I often find him saying things, of course, if it’s interesting, then it’s all right, because I too have a sense of humour. Also, it gives me a license to be funny about Aamir whenever I want. Earlier I used to call him and ask him, “Aamir, I’m making this joke, is it ok?” Now I don’t need to ask him. We can say whatever we want. He’s a marvelous guy, amazingly concentrated, conscientious, an absolutely focused film actor; one of the greatest of our times. At times we meet and call, and sometimes I go and watch his films. He is very interested that people see his films and talk about it. We have a warm relationship. But I don’t think we have an issue-based relationship. In the words of Aamir Khan, ‘All Izz Well’.
Have matters cooled down with Salman?
No, I don’t speak with Salman. And I think even he chooses not to; which is absolutely all right. We’re two different people, very happy in our spaces, and very good in our spaces. And I think it should remain like that. But it’s not animosity, it’s not anger, and it’s not disturbing. People ask if we avoid each other at public places; frankly, we don’t. If we do meet what are we going to do? I’m happy for his films and I’m happy if he’s at peace; because when I came to Mumbai, his family and he were wonderful to me and my family, and they still continue to be. They are amazingly nice and gentle people. Only two people amongst them have an issue and I think we’re too old and set to try and resolve it in any other way. Salman and I are settled ‘in’ our differences; we have not yet settled our differences.”
Omar Qureshi, TNN, May 13, 2010
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/News-Interviews/I-dont-speak-with-Salman-SRK/articleshow/5921290.cms
