It is once again 'Shahrukh Khan' time of of the year in Bollywood. As we missed and longed to see our badshah on screen again, we got treated to a delightful glimpse of our star, in a fun-loving and extremely entertaining avatar. And as we saw him trying to woo his Tamilian heroine in 'Chennai Express', all the romance that is 'Shahrukh Khan' came gushing down on us, making it too hard to wait for August 8th.
In a warm and candid interview to Hindustan Times SRK talks about his life, priorities, Salman, Ranbir, and what competition really means to him. He also talks fondly about Father's day and the special way in which he celebrates it.
He mentions that among power, money and family, all his three priorities are 'family'. He says that his only prayer in the night is that his children remain healthy. We all know SRK is extremely family-oriented. However, we also know him to be very competitive. Surprisingly, he denies this with an explanation:
"If I had thought that I have been challenged, then I would have acted accordingly. But luckily, my thoughts are never like that. I don’t compete with anyone and I don’t think of being challenged. I read about my own achievements and let downs every few days and take it in my stride. I just do my work and meet people and nothing else. The rest all follows."
However Ranbir Kapoor with his recent success is being compared to the Khans. Commenting on this, SRK says that this would be pressurizing Ranbir Kapoor:
"Stardom and superstardom are individualistic. It’s not fair to call me a superstar when there is Mr Amitabh Bachchan. There can’t be someone like him or Rajesh Khanna, or for that matter Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. Similarly, there cannot be anyone else like me. Superstardom will always be defined with a new person. They would be bigger, better and nicer or just different."
He adds, "As for Ranbir, people shouldn’t put such pressure on anyone, it’s really unfair. He should work lot more and be the next Ranbir Kapoor. He has got the capabilities and the films. He is very sweet and a very well brought up child as I know. That’s an achievement that he could come out of the shadows of his famous father and make something on his own….and I am sure his father is proud of that. I am and should not be part of that equation even media wise let alone seriously."
Coming to the touchy subject of his arch rival Salman Khan he says interestingly that Salman is actually his senior. He is all praises for Salman Khan who had it in him to make it to the top even after hitting a low.
"I can’t comment on the phenomenal rise because he has been a star two years (Maine Pyar Kiya 1989) before I came in the industry (Deewana, 1992). And like I say, sustaining stardom is a bigger phenomenon than gaining it. If I am not mistaken, professionally he had more downs than anyone else and still been able to sustain himself and his stardom. Everyone can’t do that. That’s amazing! It’s an achievement. You can belittle his years of hard work by only counting the last few years. Many people got lost in the industry but people like Salman and Aamir (Khan) have come back with dignity. There is something special about people who can do that".
Shahrukh has a word of praise for everyone. What of the people back home? SRK thinks of his dear father as he celebrates Father's day with his kids. Mentioning that his father was the gentlest person ever, he hopes his son Aryan Khan will turn out to be like that. He says,
"I take my son on the terrace of my house on Father's Day and pray together. I pray he gives strength to my beautiful son that he becomes as gentle as my father. True strength lies in being gentle.
"My daughter always makes a lovely card for me on father’s day and warmly hugs me and that makes me feel extremely special and warm and fuzzy," he adds.