The year 2015 seems like one of change for the star, brand and more importantly, the actor Shah Rukh Khan, and thus it could be an exciting year for his fans, too.
The actor we have loved in films like "Darr," "Kabhie Haan Kabhie Na," "Chak De," and "Swades," which remain his strongest acting parts, had given way to the star of masala entertainment. Films and roles like these have gone missing from his portfolio in the last few years. Even the charming star of "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge" and "Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham" is nowhere to be seen.
What we have been able to see instead, are one-dimensional characters and out-and-out masala films like "Ra. One," "Chennai Express" and "Happy New Year." These films have proved Khan's star status at the box office, but his true fans have missed the actor in him.
Now, after a long time, SRK seems to have made some interesting and different film choices that could win back his detractors. He will be doing films like "Fan" and "Raees" in 2015, where he will work more deeply on his characters.
Also, he is working with different directors this time — Maneesh Sharma for "Fan" and Rahul Dholakia for "Raees."
Shah Rukh admits that he is currently in the process of moving from larger-than-life films to a more realistic kind of cinema. "For an actor, it's not different, yaar. I don’t choose films for the sake of it; I choose because of what state of mind I am in. I have done two big films — ‘Chennai Express’ and ‘Happy New Year.’ Big means everything is larger than life and the scale is big. So, I just wanted to be in a more realistic actor’s phase," he said.
Working with a younger director like Maneesh Sharma of "Band Bajaa Baraat" fame should infuse some freshness into Shah Rukh's role. Khan will play a huge fan in the film, which also stars Ileana D'Cruz and Yami Gautam.
"I liked the story of ‘Fan,’ and it’s not like what has been mentioned on Twitter. I have never seen life from the point of someone who likes me. It would be very interesting for me to be on the other side. To be a fan, what does it mean, felt like a good idea and it’s diametrically opposite to who I am, so it would be very interesting," said Shah Rukh.
Shah Rukh is most excited about "Raees," which also stars Farhan Akhtar, Pakistani actress Mahira Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. "‘Raees’ is a totally different film. It is something that I have not done for quite some time now. For me, it's like going back to my roots. It is a more earthy role," he said at a recent press event.
It is great to see Shah Rukh sign a film with a National Award-winning director like Dholakia, who is known to make serious small-budget films like "Parzania," and "Lamhaa." It is a risk, but what an exciting prospect indeed!
Shah Rukh says, "‘Raees’ is more of an earthy role and I am a very urban actor, so I found that interesting. As for Rohit’s [Shetty] film, it will be in his genre – that is bigger and better. I want to make a big film with him because I like the vision he has, and I think he is fantastic. He is hardworking like I am;he has got mad sense of humor and he has a sensibility that I like."
With these film choices, Shah Rukh seems to be stepping out of the comfort zone he had created for himself in the last few years. He will be working with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in "Raees," and he is quite excited about that. "Nawaz is one of the best in the business. I am so kicked to share screen space with him. And with actors like Mahira and Nawaz in the film, I guess I have to up my game. I will have to excel and perform like them now," he said.
Khan's fans should surely be excited about him trying to reinvent himself and add a new dimension to himself as an actor and star at this stage of his career.
While "Fan" will release Aug. 14, producers of "Raees" are aiming for an Eid release.