"My Name Is Khan" is about a Muslim who suffers from
the Asperger syndrome, a form of autism that impacts social interaction
abilities, and he is arrested as a suspected terrorist in post-9/11
Los Angeles after authorities mistake his disability for suspicious
behaviour.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: "My Name Is Khan" has no lip-sync
songs?
A: No, none. The songs are all in the background.
In LA, we had fans coming to us to ask if there was any track
like "Suraj hua madham" in "My Name Is Khan".
This time there's no "It's the time to disco" and "Where's
the party tonight". But there's guts, soul and heart in the
music. I've a huge comfort zone with my composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
That's the only way good work can be done.
Q: Apparently, Javed Akhtar refused to share
lyrical credits with Niranjan Iyer?
A: Javed-saab is a father figure and our rapport
goes way beyond work. Niranjan has written the dialogues and two
songs in "My Name Is Khan". Javed-saab was gracious
enough to let Nirajan write the rest of the songs. And when I
insisted, Javed-saab had to write one song that only he could
and he very kindly agreed. He's also written the lyrics of my
production "Wake Up, Sid".
Q: How was it directing Shah Rukh and Kajol again?
A: I am blessed to have them in my film. I don't
know what it is about them. It's just magic. They build an inexplicable
energy on screen. They instinctively understand each other's acting.
When I direct a scene with Shah Rukh and Kajol, I know I'm doing
my best work. These two characters in "My Name Is Khan"
had to be Shah Rukh and Kajol.
Q: You almost didn't get Kajol?
A: She had to read the script. That was it. She
said yes. I wouldn't want any actor to say yes to my film just
because he or she is a friend. I want my actors to really do the
role. I've great friendships, but I don't want any actor to compromise
on his or her basic tenets on cinema.
Q: Was Kajol weighed down on location by her
motherly duties?
A: Not at all. I've worked with Kajol in various
stages of her life. I'm working with her again eight years later.
When we worked the last time, she didn't have a daughter. So,
of course, she's a different person. Today, I find her calmer
more focused on her work than ever before. Kajol manages to be
fantastic wife-mother and actress.
I find Shah Rukh and Kajol alike in their attitude
to work and family. They're both so much into their spouses and
kids. When the shot is over, they rush to their respective family.
On location in LA between shots they spoke to each other about
their respective families.
Q: How was Shah Rukh?
A: Time and again I'm blown away by Shah Rukh.
How can he think of so many things about his character when he
has so much on his plate? He has done monumental research on his
autistic character. I was zapped by how much he knew on the subject.
And he brought all the knowledge on the sets.
He had written reams of notes on how he wanted
to interpret his character. And to him it was no big deal. He's
ready to direct a film any time. He will be outstanding at it.
His understanding of human nature and emotions can never be matched
by me.
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