Shah Rukh Khan: My Hollywood Role Should Make Indians Proud

Not interested in taking up a stereotypical role created for Asians in Hollywood, Bollywood's superstar Shah Rukh Khan says 'to get a role not specific to my colour or the way I speak or act is very difficult'.
He has been active in Hindi films for over two decades, has featured in more than 80 films and won the tag of 'superstar', but the 47-year-old has yet to find a suitable role in international films.
A hugely popular actor in many countries, one whose face has become synonymous with the huge draw of the Indian film industry, particularly the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry, King Khan feels he doesn't have the USP to work in Hollywood.

  Asked what made him think so, he said: "I didn't talk in terms of fan following."
"I think the kind of role I would want to do in a Hollywood film is one that makes India proud. To get a role like that is not specific to my colour, or the way I speak, look or act or my age, it's very difficult," SRK told IANS in an exclusive interview.
"I mean you can't go to a big filmmaking world and say write a role for a 47-year-old actor who is brown, has hair like this, acts this way, dances a bit... the role should be something that Indians should be proud of. It's too specific for me to have a USP."
He however appreciated Indian faces who are doing well on the international arena.
"There are a few young boys and girls, who are doing really well internationally, and I pray they make it big," he said.
Shah Rukh relishes and cherishes all the love and attention showered on him on the home turf and is set to woo his fans with 'Chennai Express'.
In fact, he is right now busy driving the buzz around the comedy drama, coming out Friday, his first film with new age master of comedies Rohit Shetty.
Sharing his experience of working with Shetty, Shah Rukh said: "Rohit is fantastically organized. The best part about him is that he has a group of 200 trained people working under him. Rohit knows what he wants. He always delivers the best."
'Chennai Express', Shah Rukh's second film with Deepika Padukone after the 2007 super duper hit 'Om Shanti Om', has a popular train scene from his 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (DDLJ).
Interestingly, in 'Chennai Express' the name of Shah Rukh's character is Rahul, a screen title he has donned in a string of hits.
He confesses to being a director's actor.
"I'm a director's actor. I belong to a world which directors create. I enjoy being with them in their world. I want the world to see me as an actor who moulds himself according to the character his director creates for him," said Shah Rukh.
The Hindi film industry, which is celebrating its 100 years this year, has evolved with new filmmakers enlivening the silver screen with new subjects, Shah Rukh said, adding it's not a new trend.
"There's 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'Barfi!'... all kinds of films are being made, which is good," said Shah Rukh.
"There have always been all kinds of filmmakers who make films like 'Iron Man', 'Batman' and 'Chak De! India'. It's always parallel. When I did DDLJ, there was 'Maya Memsaab' too."
"I always try to work on a different genre. I feel the industry has given me name, fame and money and I won't ever forgive myself if I won't do anything beneficial for Indian cinema and my fans."
From romantic to villainous and from action to superhero - SRK has delved into a variety of roles.
Asked how he is in real life, Shah Rukh said: "I am a little like all of them. There are parts and portions of me that you see in my characters also. If I play a father, I do it the way I would do it with my kids. If I play a lover, I behave the same way I am in real life. I would say I am a funny person but also gentle and kind."

Unreal Emotions Don't Come Easy for me, Says Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has won millions of hearts across the globe with his impeccable performance on the big screen, said it was easy for him to play romantic and emotional roles but found it difficult to portray unreal emotions.

  The 47-year-old actor made the comment while promoting his upcoming film "Chennai Express". "I think I am only an actor. I make my job look very easy. But let me tell you it is the most difficult thing to do even after 20 years. I stand in a scene and make it look simple. But sometimes, it takes nine takes to make that happen. Romance and real emotions are easy but unreal emotions are difficult," he said, according to PTI.

"Chennai Express" is Shah Rukh's first release of the year which is set to hit screens on 9 August. The film which falls into the action-comedy genre is directed by "Golmaal" fame Rohit Shetty. Shah Rukh, who will play the role of a 40-year-old man, reunites with his "Om Shanti Om" co-star Deepika Padukone in the film after a gap seven years.

Shah Rukh and Rohit have collaborated with each other for the first time through "Chennai Express". Speaking about Rohit and how he gave his consent to do "Chennai Express", Shah Rukh said,

"I like Rohit's sense of humor. I like his film Golmaal, All the Best. His sense of humor is madcap and crazy. After Jab Tad Hai Jaan last year, I wanted to do a comedy. Rohit first approached me with the script of "Angoor" remake."

"My mother and I loved the cult comedy. When he was leaving after the meeting, he said that he had one more script (Chennai Express) which he wrote for some other actor. But after hearing it, I found the script interesting and ended up doing it," he added.

Co-produced by Shah Rukh's wife Gauri and Siddharth Roy Kapoor, "Chennai Express" is expected to be a big hit in the Indian and International markets.