There has always been a debate over the impact that banners like Yash Raj Films and Dharma Productions have had on Shah Rukh Khan’s career.
While a lot of people believe it’s Shah Rukh who has single-handedly made YRF and Dharma the banners that they are today, others argue SRK wouldn’t have become a top actor and more importantly an iconic romantic hero without directors like Yash Chopra, Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar.
In an interview with Filmfare, Shah Rukh was asked if he owes his success to the Chopras and Karan.
Crediting the directors of films like Darr, Baazigar, DDLJ, Karan Arjun, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and many more, SRK said ”Adi and Karan know me better as an actor. I believe in them and they believe in me and that is 90 percent of the battle won. There’s a comfort zone. I work equally hard as an actor with every one else. I give every role my best shot”
“But yes, as far as commercial success is concerned, I’m a star because of them since they made me a huge star. It’s thanks to Karan, Adi, Yash Chopra, Abbas-Mustan and Rakesh Roshan that I’m called a superstar”
Note: This is an interview, which was published on Filmfare in 2002, just after the release of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. It was republished in the latest issue of the magazine.
Such a honest humble superstar u r Shah. Sometimes ppl don’t get ur sense of humour and Call u arrogant bt then kuch to log kehenge,logo ka kaam hai kehna..
After 20 years ..he will acclaim maneesh Sharma as his best director he has got in his career who sclae up his career at the pinnacle
Whatever We luv u srk…. but I’m die fan of Bhaijaan They are now Frenemies and everyone should luv them equally. Salman and SRK at top of their own position. They are best actor and they would luv if their fans stop fighting each other.
The man has always been interesting and he always will be.. Can read SRK interviews for hours and hours.
You must be pleased with the response to your performance in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
Both Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra love me too much, they think of me while writing a film. In fact, I didn’t even want to hear the script of K3G because I was sure my character must have been written with a lot of love. if it fell short in terms of a performance, then it would only have been because of me. I was also the last to see the film because both Adi and Karan were very confident about their results. I know for a fact that they make films only for themselves, but they write roles only for me. In K3G, I had an author-backed role, I had to do it well. Some of my friends have told me that it’s my best performance but the fact is that I did the film under very stressful conditions. But yes, it feels great when I’m congratulated.
Would you say that you’re successful thanks to the Chopras and Karan?
Adi and Karan know me better as an actor. I believe in them and they believe in me and that is 90 percent of the battle won. There’s a comfort zone. I work equally hard as an actor with every one else. I give every role my best shot. But yes, as far as commercial success is concerned, I’m a star because of them since they made me a huge star. It’s thanks to Karan, Adi, Yash Chopra, Abbas-Mustan and Rakesh Roshan that I’m called a superstar.
Are you comfortable with the tag of a superstar?
I’m very embarrassed when I’m called a superstar and I’m even more embarrassed when I’m told that I’m told that I’m no longer a superstar. Let me tell any actor who is a superstar who wants to become one that it’s not about getting it right at all… it’s about getting it right consistently. And that is difficult. I’ve been a a consistent actor-star for the last 10 years and I’m proud of that. It’s not about doing right films, right songs or looking cool. The belief that you’re doing the right thing is much more important. It takes an Herculean amount of effort to get up every morning for 10 years and say that I’m doing it right. It’s all about keeping the balance too. When people say shah rukh Khan is better than X, Y, Zee, I don’t believe them. Neither I do believe anyone who says X, Y, Zee is better than Shah Rukh Khan.
You don’t believe that you are a superstar?
The other day somebody told me, ”We’re signing three superstars to endorse our product. The other two are Sachin Tendulkar and Kareena Kapoor.” I genuinely believe that Sachin and Kareena are superstars. I also genuinely believe I’m not as good as them. I’ve always wanted to be like Amitji ( Amitabh Bachchan ). I’ve seen films of other actors, too, and aspired to become like them. But I’ve never seen any film of mine and said, ”I want to become Shah Rukh Khan.” So how can I be a superstar? For me, it’s all about getting it right all the time.
What exactly do you mean by ”getting it right”?
I mean doing everything from the heart. I meet actors and actresses who come with an attitude that they’re going to rape or kill a scene. I can never kill a scene, I want to marry a scene. I enjoy acting more than any other actor in the country and it shows. I enjoy it without any ill-feeling. I enjoy it without any competition, I enjoy it without any malice towards anyone. I act for no other reason but to enjoy it. I like it when I make someone feel beautiful, sad or emote in whatever form. it’s very difficult to keep on doing what people like but I work hard to do that.
How important has the success of K3G been for you?
Commercially, it was very important because it had a lot of things riding on it, not for me but for Yash Johar. Personally, success is on a very different parameter for me now. For me, Asoka is a success. I did a film like Asoka and a character like Asoka when I didn’t need to do that. I can have any role for the asking but I did something different and that is success for me.
Were you disappointed with the box office performance of Asoka?
Honestly, we’ll earn money out of Asoka. It was sold cheap because I knew it was a different film. Everyone warned me that I was belittling myself by selling the film at a low price… but that was the only way it could make money. It has earned money and that’s good enough.
How important is money for you?
Nobody can buy me as an actor. I can be bought as a commodity or as a product but never as an actor. I’ve never accepted a film because of money and I never will. Yes, I will do shows, dance at weddings and endorse products for money but I won’t act for money. I won’t make compromises as an actor. That’s why when I produce films, it’s not for the money. Asoka went over-budget, if we’ d completed it in the planned budget of Rs 5 crores, then 8it would’ve been different. Still, that’s okay because the final product looked beautiful and huge.
So many trade people say that they don’t understand the films you produce.
That’s fine by me. I never thought that the trade people would understand me either but they have understood me and they’ve loved me. Now I’m trying to make them understand another facet…in time they will. I’ve met people who say it’s okay if your film wasn’t a hit. C’mon, I’m not stupid, I knew Asoka wouldn’t become the biggest hit of the year. I can tell you the business of the film the day I see it. I’m not a fool. I hope for the best and I wish that it earns more than it deserves. I’ve been a part of some of the most successful films made in India and I’ve also been a part of some of the most unsuccessful films made in India. But I’ve never been a part of some of the most unintelligent films made in India. intelligently, one has right or wrong. Abbas-Mustan made Badshah for no other reason apart from their love for me. I forced them to make it. I felt bad later because my beliefs made someone else suffer. It’s not fair. I made both my films (Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Asoka) with my beliefs and I’ll make my third one too with my beliefs. Making films is my way of saying thank you for putting me in a position where I can make films.
Failure doesn’t disappoint you?
If there’s a concerted effort to succeed, then failure can never overtake it. It’s sad. But, it’s not the end of the road. Failure doesn’t teach me anything. I’m very obstinate. I believe if I keep banging my head against a wall, the wall will break. May be I’m successful because I don’t recognize failure. recently, Anil Kapoor told me, ”After K3G, you’ll remain a star for the next 10 years.” Inshallah! But who knows really? Because it all depends on the next Friday.
Do you suffer from bouts of insecurity?
Me? Insecure? About whom? ha ha ha… Why should I be insecure if I’ve been here for 10 years? At a certain point of time in my career, I put blinkers on, I’d have gone wayward. I’d have started doing things which stem from insecurity, competition and selfishness.
From mid-January 2002, you’re taking a break. Why?
I’ve done enough work in the past 30 years. I want to go easy now. may be if K3G wasn’t a success, I’d have still taken a break, then people would’ve said, he’s out of work, kaam nahin hai uske paas. I’d resolved to complete all my work by December 2001, but it didn’t quite happen that way. At the age of 45, when my kids are in their teens, I don’t want to say that I want to spend more time with them… as an excuse because, let’s face it, I won’t be getting as much work then. Believe me, the break is not an excuse. It’s a genuine desire to re-time table myself. For the first time I’ve started enjoying something more than acting and that’s playing with my kids. Aryaan’s just like me, that’s why I feel he needs his father more because I could I know I wanted my parents more. I couldn’t do J.P. Dutta’s LoC because of my leg problem. in the next two-three months, I’ll get my leg in order again. Also, I want to sit on the scripts of the films I’m doing, both as a producer and as an actor. In ten years, I’ve learnt enough to start participating in the creative aspects.
Have you changed as a person?
I haven’t changed at all. I’m one hell of a self-centered dog. I’ve been that way and that always will be. It’s part of my acting. I’m an arrogant actor. You take away the arrogance, you take away the actor. Now there are days when I wake up in the morning and want a new of bones. As I keep on acting, there is a part of me which is being eaten away. I’m not being pseudo about this. Someone wrote that I take myself too seriously. I better take my self seriously because the industry runs on me. Yes, I take my acting very seriously. I can’t take it lightly because a decade of doing the same thing can make you jaded. People tell me I look very young in K3G. It’s very strange because I’ve never told anyone that I’m old. Just because younger roles have arrived on the scene, doesn’t mean that I’m old.
Are you still the same guy you were when you entered this profession?
I’m as emotional as I was. I still feel lonely, I still feel sad and i still cry. But now when I feel lonely, I just lie down next to my kids and I’m okay. I’m still very ambitious. I still want to come 1st in every race. I have only two fears : one, someday I won’t be able to see myself, I become completely invisible. And two, my bones. I hope there is a shop which gives a new set of bones.
Are you nice because you want to be loved?
It’s a part of my nature to be nice. It’s no longer difficult to be nice because that’s the very core of my existence. What would I be if people didn’t love me? I love people loving me. The greatest desire is to be loved by as many as possible. I’m successful without any form of manipulation. I’ve yet to go on a set and behave like a star. i inspire confidence in my director. No wonder if I tell any director that I don’t want to shoot today, that’s okay by him. Halfway through Devdas, Sanjay Bhansali told me, ”Shah Rukh tere ko sau khoon maaf.” Even with my co-stars, I share a good relationship. I get along better with the girls because being the opposite gender, there are no egos. I doubt if any male actor would say anything bad about me either.
Sunny Deol has a problem with you. Right?
If he has a problem with me, he has never told me about it. Anil Sharma told me that Sunny has no problems with me. I don;t know what Sunny’s problems are with the people he has worked with. It’s not my business and I am not going to interfere. I feel if you don’t like something, don’t do it and if you’re doing something then you better like it. It’s as simple as that.
Were you embarrassed when you were asked about being a bi-sexual on a TV talk show by Vir Sanghvi?
No, I wasn’t embarassed but I did wonder why he asked such a question. I was told I was free to cut-off a question I didn’t like but I’ll never do an interview where I cannot answer a question. May be Vir Sanghvi just wanted to know. May be he’d have asked me out for a date if I’d said yes. Perhaps, he has read some rubbish about Adi, karan and me. I must be the first hero to have a casting couch for his directors. Seriously, it’s so ridiculous. Asking me if I am a bi-sexual
Thats Srk for Bollywood! Respect.
That sums up everything ???
An inspiring character he is…
Before some bhai fans use their baseless logic let me tell them no actor would ever say I am the reason why xyz production became successful.It’s srk’s humble nature that he considers yashji as his father and guide.
Secondly if both these production houses are so popular why did they choose srk??.It’s because he’s a perfect mixture of a superstar and a talented actor.Every other actor would have happily agreed to be part of their movies but their first priority was always Srk.
Moreover it was srk who had promised karan that he would star in his first movie if he ever turns director.
I am glad yrf and dharma became a part of Srk’s life and vice-versa because they have together have given us so many memorable classics and hopefully will continue to do so.
Its true that all superstars are made by directors only because they present the actors in such a way that is liked by the audience .
Love and respect to the legend !!!
The simplest and and perhaps the weirdest question is , do the audience come to theatres to watch their favorite star or the director or banner ??????
Srk is really humble star , he is not like aamir who can turn hypocrite anything when the situation is in his favour .
He is not like Salman to kill innocent people and then claim that I am innocent.
I always love and respect srk !!!
But Srk trolled his fans .lol
Very good by SRK.
Such an honest person.
@Ajay Rocks: Why R u happy?
Wish Ajay Devgn could say the same thing ,that he is a star bcoz of ROHIT SHETTY, Otherwise Action Jackson & himmatwala.. Lol
but emraan hashmi is a superstar widout chopra n karan.. waiting for azhar biopic
100% truth…srKAY rocks..!
They contributed in his success but he would have been the same star even if he had worked with other top directors.
A modest and humble reply by him.
Srk didn’t trolled his fans,he trolled his haters by his humility.
Now they should gather new points to accuse him
If yrf-dharma pickd salmir for their movies…then they wil b giving 40cr opening without holiday adv and @overseas all movies in the 200cr club.
Self confession at last by self proclaimed King…
Tight slap on those who bark their king is self made star…
Now king fans accept this harsh reality that ur global king is nothing without yrf and dharma…
wait a minute ……..that someone said lallu khan is actor????? well it is very different between actor and star …..you must know it better before jump up to the topic…….yeaahhhhh this SRK for you….a very humble and good human being….his honesty is something that no others star will said….To the public …may be their ego that make the difference between SRK with them
@Ajay How many hits has Ajay given in the past one decade without Rohit.Even Rohit’s only average grosser with clash collected more than Ajay-Rohit’s highest grossing film.Till he crosses Dilwale read this:
Vimal has been celebrating 25 years of its existence for 5 years now. Recently, however, they came up with a new ad featuring Ajay Devgn, which is really nice because he’s the only Bollywood actor who looks like he actually eats Vimal Pan Masala.:):)
no one has made the khans and akshay.
They are because they were destined to be so.
No one helped and no one could have stopped them from becoming superstars.
They had something in them.
This is Shahrukh Khan for u..a very mature statement from him even though it was way back in 2002..since then Shahrukh Khan has given 2 all time record worldwide grosser in the form of Om shanti om and Chennai express and both of them are from his own production house with different directors..In 2007 and 2008 all of YRF films flopped at the box office except chak de India and rab ne bana di Jodi,both of which featuring Shahrukh Khan..Also,Nikhil Advani directed him in Kal ho na ho and that film was a super hit whereas Nikhil is still searching for another semi-hit let alone a super hit..Shimit amin’s rocket Singh also tanked..
From 2001-2004 he has four consecutive films which are the biggest opening weekend grossers of that particular year and they include Kabhi khushi kabhi gham,Devdas,Veer Zaara and main hio na..2 films are from YRF and dharma productions whereas the other two are of the other independent productions..
There is no denying fact that Shahrukh Khan’s collaboration with these production houses has struck gold at the box office but apart from them he has enough films to prove why he is a SELF MADE SUPERSTAR.And all of this data is from domestic market only,if we discuss overseas facts then Shahrukh Khan is comparable only to himself because he has 15-20 blockbusters in overseas which is equivalent to the whole of remaining blockbusters of Bollywood..This sums up everything..
Love ajay srk both
Also,Shahrukh Khan’s films still open huge at the box office even today..In this decade he has broken opening weekend record three times with Ra.one,chennai express and happy new year..same cannot be said about YRF and dharma because almost all of their films without big superstars has not even taken a face saving opening.
And talking about last year’s clashes,YRFs Detective byomkesh bakshi could not even stand in front of Furious 7 in India forget overseas but Shahrukh Khan’s Dilwale had beaten Star Wars in a no man’s land I.e. Gulf..Star Wars was the biggest Hollywood phenomena of this decade and u can’t beat a film like this unless u are the biggest movie star on earth as stated by CNN..
Safe to say that Shahrukh Khan is Shahrukh Khan because of Shahrukh Khan..
What Indicine, churning an old interview that was published 14 yrs ago. C’mon you are better than that.
@ultra a salmanic first time you say a good thing ,,,,offcourse Salman is a star but that does not mean srk is not ,,,,
SRK became a Superstar even though he did not belonged to the industry . But nobody and absolutely nobody can deny that Yashji, Adi and Karan have played a huge role in SRK’s career . SRK worked with YRF for the first time in 1993 with Darr and now in 2016 he is coming with Fan again produced by YRF directed by Maneesh Sharma . So he has been working with YRF for the past 23 years . He also said Yashji was a Father to me and Adi like a elder brother . After working with Amit Ji Yash Chopra made 4 movies with SRK – Darr, DTPH, VZ and JTHJ . In 1995 Adi Chopra made his debut with DDLJ and later on made Mohabbtein and RNBDJ . In 1998 Karan Johar made his debut with KKHH and then they did K3G, KANK and MNIK . So Yashji, Adi and Karan have immense contribution in SRK’s Stardom, Romantic image, Overseas Success and also to some extent in his life . It is great to see SRK being grateful to those people who have played a huge role in his life and career .
…….Accepted….
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@aashish thapar, fantastic !
Always a pleasure reading your comments.
#Kaali