Shah Rukh Khan photographed in Mumbai (Image courtesy: Punit Paranjpe, AFP)
Mumbai:
Actor Shah Rukh Khan has starred in dozens of Bollywood blockbusters and is adored by millions, but there's a movie he still dreams of making - one that's a truly global hit. Shah Rukh will next be seen in Gauri Shinde's much-awaited Dear Zindagi, co-starring Alia Bhatt. Dear Zindagi releases this Friday. In an interview with AFP, the 51-year-old actor said: "I would like to be a part of that one Indian film, as an actor, as a producer, as a gaffer, as a sound recordist, as a production manager, whatever, which becomes famous all over the world."
"That's my 'Make in India' dream. I've had this since 25 years," he added, borrowing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan for boosting the manufacturing industry.
"I hope to achieve that but I don't sit down with people (and focus on) 'What is the crossover film that we can make?' No, I think it will happen because I believe in it," said Shah Rukh.
Shah Rukh is also popularly known as 'King Khan' or 'Bollywood Badshah' owing to his legions of fans. Shah Rukh's landmark performances kicked off in the mid-90s with his roles in films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Shah Rukh is also admired for roles in high-octane thrillers like Don and this year's Fan while other major hits include the 2013 comedy Chennai Express and 2010's My Name is Khan, in which he played a man with Asperger's syndrome.
'I like James Bond'
The 51-year-old actor has 22.2 million Twitter followers and greets hordes of admirers, who gather outside his Mumbai residence, Mannat for a glimpse of the actor.
Shah Rukh, who stars as a counsellor (of sorts) Jahangir in Dear Zindagi, admits he initially had misgivings about playing the role of Jehangir Khan in the comedy-drama.
"I'd be honest, I didn't think I'd like the film. Not because it's not a good film but it's not my genre of film. I like bad boys. I like James Bond," he said.
Shah Rukh says his character plays the role of a "mentor, friend, philosopher, guide" to the much younger Kaira, played by Alia, 23, in the film which he says is "sweet" and "funny".
He described Dear Zindagi as a feel-good movie about life and how to cope with it "not only as a youngster but as a parent, as a middle-aged person.
"It deals with all of them without being preachy," he explained.
Shah Rukh, whose career as one of Bollywood's superstars, spans three decades, says he doesn't see himself as a real-life mentor to young actors, but will give advice if asked.
'Out of body experience'
Shah Rukh Khan's resume includes almost 80 film and numerous accolades.
"I always wanted to be famous, I wanted to be recognised, I want thousands of people outside my house, I don't want to go on the beach and relax. If I want a McDonald's I'll open it in my house," he said.
"When I was 25 I wanted to be like Madonna said: rich, famous, well-known, hard-working, recognised and get all the awards possible. I really enjoy being a star. I would not exchange it for anything," he added.
In Fan, released in April, he featured in double roles - a movie megastar and a crazed young admirer whose obsession with his idol turns increasingly violent after he fails to meet him.
Shah Rukh describes his success as being like an "out of body experience".
"I'm extremely grateful and I don't even understand how I've become what I've become.
"Does it even belong to me? I say this again and again, I'm just an employee of the superstar called Shah Rukh Khan. I have no idea how he does it," he concluded.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"That's my 'Make in India' dream. I've had this since 25 years," he added, borrowing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan for boosting the manufacturing industry.
"I hope to achieve that but I don't sit down with people (and focus on) 'What is the crossover film that we can make?' No, I think it will happen because I believe in it," said Shah Rukh.
Shah Rukh is also popularly known as 'King Khan' or 'Bollywood Badshah' owing to his legions of fans. Shah Rukh's landmark performances kicked off in the mid-90s with his roles in films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Shah Rukh is also admired for roles in high-octane thrillers like Don and this year's Fan while other major hits include the 2013 comedy Chennai Express and 2010's My Name is Khan, in which he played a man with Asperger's syndrome.
'I like James Bond'
The 51-year-old actor has 22.2 million Twitter followers and greets hordes of admirers, who gather outside his Mumbai residence, Mannat for a glimpse of the actor.
Shah Rukh, who stars as a counsellor (of sorts) Jahangir in Dear Zindagi, admits he initially had misgivings about playing the role of Jehangir Khan in the comedy-drama.
"I'd be honest, I didn't think I'd like the film. Not because it's not a good film but it's not my genre of film. I like bad boys. I like James Bond," he said.
Shah Rukh says his character plays the role of a "mentor, friend, philosopher, guide" to the much younger Kaira, played by Alia, 23, in the film which he says is "sweet" and "funny".
He described Dear Zindagi as a feel-good movie about life and how to cope with it "not only as a youngster but as a parent, as a middle-aged person.
"It deals with all of them without being preachy," he explained.
Shah Rukh, whose career as one of Bollywood's superstars, spans three decades, says he doesn't see himself as a real-life mentor to young actors, but will give advice if asked.
'Out of body experience'
Shah Rukh Khan's resume includes almost 80 film and numerous accolades.
"I always wanted to be famous, I wanted to be recognised, I want thousands of people outside my house, I don't want to go on the beach and relax. If I want a McDonald's I'll open it in my house," he said.
"When I was 25 I wanted to be like Madonna said: rich, famous, well-known, hard-working, recognised and get all the awards possible. I really enjoy being a star. I would not exchange it for anything," he added.
In Fan, released in April, he featured in double roles - a movie megastar and a crazed young admirer whose obsession with his idol turns increasingly violent after he fails to meet him.
Shah Rukh describes his success as being like an "out of body experience".
"I'm extremely grateful and I don't even understand how I've become what I've become.
"Does it even belong to me? I say this again and again, I'm just an employee of the superstar called Shah Rukh Khan. I have no idea how he does it," he concluded.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
