Calcutta. Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan recently discussed his career and plans with journalist Alexander Miller on the Locarno Meets film podcast, held on the sidelines of the Locarno Film Festival.
Shah Rukh reflected on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2002 hit film Devdas, where he played the titular role, revealing that the project had almost been shelved. “There was a time I thought we wouldn’t go ahead with it, and I moved on. But I was eager to do a film like that in my career,” said the actor.
He acknowledged legendary actors including Dilip Kumar and Uttam Kumar who had portrayed the iconic character before him, yet he aimed to interpret the man differently. His goal was to present Devdas not as a loser but as an indescribable figure with a non-committal nature.
The 58-year-old actor also spoke about making films as a tribute to his parents, whom he lost at a young age. Shah Rukh said he believes they still watch over him from heaven.
The actor candidly admitted that he began drinking after Devdas. When asked whether he believed in the characters he plays, he explained that his job is to make the audience believe. “Maybe my enactment is not pure. I don’t believe in the character,” he admitted.
With a career spanning over 30 years and more than 100 films to his name, Shah Rukh took a four-year hiatus after the release of his film Zero in 2018. He shared that he did not work during the pandemic as no films were being made, but he longed to star in an action movie. His wish was granted with Siddharth Anand’s 2023 blockbuster Pathaan, which was quickly followed by Atlee’s Jawan.
Shah Rukh admitted that he finds subtlety challenging as he used to perform in a theatre. “I am herotype. I play my characters larger than life. I want to play a bad guy. I want to play an assassin in action films,” he shared.
Shah Rukh also spoke about missing the film set’s calm and focus when he is not working. He expressed a desire to take on a comedy role next. He described his 2013 film Chennai Express as a “big learning experience”.
During the conversation, Shah Rukh also touched on the rapid advancements in film technology. He shared that even though he is an actor, he is very shy in real life and can be himself only with his family and close friends. He expressed deep gratitude to the Indian film industry for fulfilling all his dreams. “I will act till the day I die. I celebrate the joys of life through acting,” the actor concluded.
Shah Rukh Khan was honored with the Locarno Film Festival’s career achievement award, the Pardo alla Carriera, at the 77th Edition of the event in Switzerland in August.
Shah Rukh’s upcoming movie King is expected to feature him alongside his daughter Suhana Khan, with Abhishek Bachchan essaying the role of the antagonist.