SRK: I am very protective about my family

Shah Rukh Khan was in full form on Thursday as he cracked jokes with the media during a press conference to announce his wife, Gauri, as the brand ambassador of a furnishing brand, D'decor.

The actor, who seems to have lost a lot of weight after returning home from a 70 day hectic schedule of Ra.One in London, shot for the ad with his wife. He even tweeted about how nervous he was about shooting with her: 'Preparing for a "big shoot" 2maro. No it's not ra.one with ten cameras. it is with Gauri for D decor brand furnishings. very nervous (sic),' he tweeted a day earlier.

But there was no sign of nervousness at the launch where Rajul Hegde got to fire some quick questions at the star and his wife. Excerpts:

How did you convince Gauri to do the commercial?

The decision was entirely hers. That is what trust and love is all about. Gauri did not feature in this ad for money. She has interest in furnishing. The owners of the brand are family friends, so she was comfortable. I am very protective about my family and would not let them work in an uncomfortable environment.

Do you give any inputs to Gauri in decorating the house?

I can tell whether it looks good or bad but I cannot make any decision.

Which is your favourite corner in your house?

My children's bedrooms. Whenever I have time, I am either in my daughter's pink bedroom or son's blue bedroom. Both of us end up spending more time in our children's bedrooms. I like spending time in the library as well, to do all my creative work.

There were reports that everything is not fine between you and close friend Farah Khan.

If I am not doing any film with my friends, it does not mean that we are no longer friends. When I am shooting with someone, I am more in touch with him or her. This time I am not in touch with Farah but wish her all the success and hope her Tees Maar Khan becomes a bigger hit than Om Shanti Om. I want to see everyone doing well.

Will you watch Salman Khan's upcoming film Dabangg?

The promos and songs look interesting. Last week, I saw Lafangey Parindey. I will watch Dabangg at home after my children's exams.

You have lost a lot of weight.

I think the main reason could be because I have been wearing a superhero suit for Ra.One. It is made of silicone and rubber, and it is quite uncomfortable and hot even in air conditioned studios. I spent 40 out of 70 days shooting in that suit. Plus, I did a lot of my own stunts. I am planning to market this as a nice way of losing weight [laughs].

Now I am back and Gauri is feeding me chicken and rice. I hope to put on some weight in a month.

How was the whole Ra.One shooting experience in London?

Everything was fantastic, except for a cameraman getting hurt. The climate was very good too.

It's a great action film. The technical inputs we got from the people, who were working in London, were of high quality.

Video: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com

Can you comment on the demand of prime slots for Marathi movies in multiplexes?

Regional films are made with a small budget and should be encouraged. I am speaking as a film person and do not want to get into the political agenda. I watch regional movies on DVD at home. Even though language is a problem, I feel the best stories come from the regional industry. There should also be sub-titles so that these movies can get more recognition.

Are you doing anything on television?

I am discussing a few shows but nothing is finalised as yet. I am busy with my film shootings.   

Talking about her experience shooting for the ad, Gauri said "I have not worked so hard in my life. I am so tired that I have been sleeping for two days straight."

Asked if she would have featured in the commercial with any other actor, she replied, "I am in this project because of my husband. It was a home concept and it would be awkward for me to feature in it with any other man."

When quizzed whether she would want to try out acting in a film after working in a television commercial, she shot back, "I am too old for films. If I was younger, I would have considered."