As a die-hard fan of Shah Rukh Khan, witnessing his masterclass at the 77th Locarno Film Festival was nothing short of breathtaking. The man’s journey from massaging his mother’s feet while watching films to becoming the Swiss chocolate boy is a testament to his passion and perseverance.
On Sunday, I found myself front and center at the 77th Locarno Film Festival, where I had a fascinating, in-depth chat with the festival’s director, Giona A. Nazzaro, that was all about me, Shah Rukh Khan – the Bollywood superstar!
The wide-ranging discussion touched on Khan’s 30-plus year career, his approach to acting, and his thoughts on stardom and the film industry. The event was packed to the rafters with fans of multiple nationalities who punctuated several of the icon’s answers with cries of “I love you, Shah Rukh!”
Khan reminisced about his early introduction to movies, which came courtesy of his movie-loving mom. He explained that they owned a video cassette recorder, a luxury item back then. His aunt, who was quite wealthy, presented them with this special gift. As a common practice in India, he often massaged his mother’s feet while watching films. His first trip to the cinema was following his outstanding performance in Hindi class, when his mom treated him to Yash Chopra’s “Joshila.”
Following my passion for theater in Delhi, I found myself moving to Mumbai in 1990, initially planning to stay for only a year. My intention was to make enough money, about INR100,000 (equivalent to $5,715 at the time), buy a house, and then return to pursue a career as a scientist or a mass communication journalist. However, I’m still here, and those plans have yet to materialize.
Khan narrated a personal story from his beginnings in the industry, reminiscing about a conversation with a renowned director. He quoted, “What makes you stand out is your unique ‘ugliness,’ since all these protagonists resemble melted Swiss chocolate.” However, he wasn’t like Swiss chocolate. So, he responded, “If I’m considered ugly, I’ll take on villain roles instead.”
Reflecting on my past, I found myself drawn towards playing villainous characters after a pivotal encounter. One of these roles was in Yash Chopra’s “Darr,” filmed amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Switzerland. It was during this period that he proposed an intriguing offer – a romantic lead in a love story. Surprised by his words, I remember him saying, “I want to cast you in a love story. You don’t look such a bad guy.” This led me to the iconic film, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” directed by Aditya Chopra. With a chuckle, I joked about becoming the Swiss chocolate boy.
On Saturday, Khan received the Career Achievement Honor at Locarno. To him, it felt like coming full circle, having started in Switzerland and now receiving the highest accolade there.
During the event, the audience participated actively by joining the star in performing some of his popular songs, while he showcased his iconic move, extending his arms, an idea originally conceived by his choreographer, Saroj Khan, as a way to bypass complex dance sequences.
In his insights on choosing movies, Khan emphasized the significance of building relationships with directors. He stated that he invests a considerable amount of time in getting to know the director who will work with him, as they will be spending a significant portion of a year together. “I want to have a good time,” he said, clarifying that ‘good time’ doesn’t necessarily mean dancing and partying, but rather engaging in meaningful conversations about films and developing camaraderie.
Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming movie titled “King” is an action-drama being helmed by director Sujoy Ghosh. In the past, Ghosh had worked with Khan on the film “Badla,” produced under Red Chillies Entertainment. Regarding this new project, Khan shared that he has been contemplating a specific type of film for about six to seven years now, one that might focus more on age-related themes. During one conversation, he mentioned his idea to Ghosh and found that the director had already identified a suitable subject for it. Thus, the collaboration is set in motion.
The discussion shifted towards Khan’s 2016 movie “Fan,” where he portrayed both a famous star and his fanatical admirer. He explained that typically, playing a superstar in a film involves glamour, grandeur, and fans jumping and shouting one’s name. However, he aimed to make this character fearful of his fame, which is challenging because it reveals a vulnerable aspect that stars generally keep hidden. He described the experience as “schizophrenic,” “strange,” and “awkward,” admitting that he even began feeling like two separate individuals.
In addition, the performer shared an intriguing backstage fact concerning the prosthetics employed in “Fan.” Specifically, he disclosed that the lower jaw prosthetic initially designed for Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was utilized in this production.
Regarding fame, Khan expressed an unusual viewpoint: “I treat fame like a casual T-shirt, not a formal tuxedo,” he stated. “It’s not significant in and of itself, but it exists. I’m nonchalant about it, and it’s quite pleasant, and I hope it continues.” He emphasized that fame is a result, rather than the objective, of his work.
The performer talked about his latest venture into Southern cinematography, specifically the movie “Jawan,” helmed by renowned Tamil director Atlee. Impressed, he commended the narrative and technical skills of South Indian cinema, labeling it as “truly exceptional.”
Khan pondered over how visual effects in Indian cinema have developed, stressing that technology should play a supporting role rather than being the main focus. He expressed his viewpoint by saying, “Ultimately, technology will serve as the setting, not the foundation for movie-making. It’s always going to be the subtleties, the feelings, the ideas, the fundamental truths about human beings…that will carry a film on the shoulders of technology.”
When queried about his motivation following years in the field, Khan expressed his wish to persistently deliver pleasure to spectators. He mused, “Cinema encompasses numerous aspects of life and a myriad of emotions that one individual may struggle to convey all throughout their lifetime.” With this aspiration, he hopes to carry on making diverse films.
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2024-08-11 20:47