'Im never satisfied with my films. That's why I do the next one' Shah Rukh Khan on what makes him tick

The year 2001 was one of the most eventful for Shah Rukh Khan. Apart from completing a decade in the Hindi film industry, there were two big releases -- his own production Asoka, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham a hit formula from the Johars.

While Asoka didn't fare well, Karan Johar's K3G has turned out a high point in the actor's career.

This year, his first release is the K C Bokadia film Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam, directed by Tamil director Adhiyaman.

Interestingly, the film figured nowhere in Shah Rukh Khan's list of forthcoming ventures when he spoke about Asoka, K3G and Devdas.

On the eve of his film's release, Shah Rukh speaks to Seema Sinha:

What about Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam appealed to you?

It is a remake of a Tamil film [Thotta Chinungi, starring Revathy] which was a big hit. I have seen the original, but didn't understand much. And the director [Adhiyaman] had to explain it to me as we watched the film together.

It is a small, simple film about a marriage, about a relationship going wrong.

What I really liked about it was that the husband has a negative shade to him. He misunderstands certain gestures of his wife. She, for her part, is also to be blamed, to an extent. There is this lovely scene, where Madhuri (who plays my wife) and I sit down to have coffee. She doesn't even know how much sugar I take in my coffee. And that hurts.

Normally, you don't say these things in marriages and relationships. And though she is certainly not meant to be a doormat, it hurts. There are many such small things and situations in the film that I liked.

What would you say is special about this film?

You will have to see the film to understand that. It is a simple film and the issue it tackles is small. What makes it different is its nuances.

This being a South film, how was your experience with the unit?

People in the South are usually very quick to make films. It is unfortunate that this one has taken so long in the making. While we didn't take that long to shoot it, it took about three years to complete. That further extended to five-six years.

Didn't you find the continuity aspect difficult? Especially when recent big budget films have taken just three to four months to shoot?

Like I said, the film was spread over years, but it didn't take time to shoot it. One sort of knew the scenes that followed. We had seen the original version. I would normally see the film again and again before shooting to get the feel of it. So it wasn't difficult.

And working with familiar people helped.

I worked with Salman in Karan Arjun, with Madhuri in Dil To Paagal Hai, Anjaam and Koyla. We know each other very well. One feels happy working together.

Do you fear that the film will look stale and may be rejected by the audience?

It is a social subject which will never go out of fashion. It is about marriage, relationship and friendship. That will never get dated. It will always have relevance.

Over a period of time people change, styles and looks change, performances change. How have you factored that?

Over the years, whenever we felt we needed an updated look, costumes or performance, we reshot.

Honestly, I shoot 14 hours a day and the last thing I do is analyse my expressions and other things. I am not a newcomer anymore. It is something that I cannot comment on.

Are you satisfied with this film?

I'm never satisfied doing any film. That's why I do the next one.

India News Feature Service