April 1,2018
Filmmaker Aanand L. Rai, who has collaborated with Bollywood superstar Shah
Rukh Khan for the upcoming film "Zero", says the superstar has an energy and
enthusiasm of a newcomer despite a career of over 25 years in filmdom.
"I
am fascinated to see how a man with 25 years of a career, with so much success,
fame, so many blockbusters, can still can have childlike energy. He did not burn
out.
"He is the most obedient actor I have seen ever in my life. His
energy on set is like a young boy doing his first film. I want to say that he is
the best newcomer a director will get on the set... In fact, that is something I
am trying to learn from him," Rai told IANS in an interview.
"Zero" is a
multi-starrer, which also features Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. Shah Rukh
plays a dwarf in the movie.
Rai said the strenuous shoot of the film was
made smooth by the talented cast.
"Physically the shoot was very
exhausting but the whole team had a great time working towards it because of the
fact that I worked with a bunch of enthusiastic actors, and Khan saab is one of
them.
"He surprises me to an extent that at times it scares me to think
whether as a director I am able to match up to his level of talent. He is an
extraordinary man, not just as an actor but also as a human," said the director.
Were there any creative difference on set?
"Well, Khan saab always
has a way to say things, and he never says ‘I don't do a scene like this'. His
approach is always suggestive. He would say, 'Shall we do it like this?' His
attitude towards people is so nice," Rai said.
As a filmmaker, Rai's
focus has always been on good stories and experimental subjects. His production
"Shubh Mangal Saavdhan" on erectile dysfunction is a case in point.
With
"Zero", Rai is experimenting with the image of a superstar who is known for his
romantic roles.
What made him take such a risk?
He said: "With
experience, I have realised that audience is growing every year to accept more
experimental cinema. There is a synergy between audience and filmmakers.
"As a film director, I cannot say there is no audience for a certain genre of
story because a different group of audience is receptive towards a variety of
stories. Now we have an audience to support a film like ‘Baahubali' and a
content-heavy film like ‘Newton' in the same year.
"We have a ‘Shubh
Mangal Saavdhan' and a 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' and both are appreciated by
the audience. So I think the audience gives us the confidence to take the risk."
The film "Zero" is slated to release on December 21.