Shah Rukh Khan talks about the box office performance of FAN

Shah Rukh Khan’s latest release ‘FAN’ has not performed well at the box office, but the actor says he never expected the audience in the heartland of India to like a film without song and dance numbers.

“It’s not a film that heartland audience (masses) will like. But we took a chance thinking hopefully they will like it, but they need song and dance. I am not unrealistic” the actor was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Khan added that the new generation of filmmakers who make different kind of cinema, do not have access to other established stars in the industry. Films like FAN, he said, should be appreciated because it attempts something drastically unusual.

“While we were making Swades, I had told Ashutosh Gowariker that hope you know this film will not make much business as the other (more commercial) films do. But he had the guts to make a film like Swades with a star like me. I think this is what we should celebrate. When a new kind of filmmaker comes, and makes something different with new people as he doesn’t have access to others (stars), I really appreciate that. I think it is more appreciated when an established director, producer, star does something unusual like Fan”

The ‘Dilwale’ star said it’s doing something different that keeps him going as a person.

“As a person, it keeps me going as I feel I have done something different. It also enhances your way of making cinema. Then after six months you can make a commercial film. Will Smith does that, he makes a film for numbers as well one those which don’t make that much. I feel most actors should try and make that”

Shah Rukh also said he expected the film not to be universal in its appeal, adding that balancing between the audience in the heartland and the more intellectual moviegoers, is going to be tough.

“There is thinking and talking audience that sees world cinema and assumes our cinema should reach there soon. Then there is an audience in the heartland of the country which believes still in values and thoughts and entertainment in a certain way,”

“Language is a barrier, not everyone watches English, Spanish films (at smaller centres). So, when you make a film like this, you know the film is not going to be universal, the heartland people are not going to understand. I don’t think anyone is a hypocrite in this”