SRK: I am still waiting to be a superstar

Shah Rukh Khan, who has been busy with his movies Ra.One and Don: The Chase Continues, took some time out to promote his new production Always Kabhi Kabhi, its young cast and debutant director Roshan Abbas.

SRK addressed a press conference and talked about the film, today's youth and why he doesn't think he's a superstar.

The film is titled Always Kabhi Kabhi. What is it that you 'Always' do and what is it that you do 'Kabhi Kabhi'?

I am an actor. So I 'Always' lie, and 'Kabhi Kabhi' say the truth (Smiles).

Could you identify with the film?

Roshan has done an excellent job with the film. He did a thorough research. I could easily connect to the youth genre. The way today's school-going kids deal with their lives has completely changed. 

There were things I could not do when I was in school. So I couldn't identify with a lot of things in the film. But I learnt a lot from it. The lead actors romanced pretty girls in the film, which I never got the chance to do.

Did you dream of becoming an actor when you were in school?

I never thought that I would become an actor or come to Mumbai and become successful. I wished to become an actor. I also wished to become a sportsman. There were some dreams that I could not fulfill for certain reasons.

How comfortable are you working with a debutant director?

I mistreated Roshan because of the lack of time I spent with him. He will never want to work with me again (Smiles). But after this film, I don't think he will have to. He's done a great job, which can be seen in the film.

Production houses are doing a lot of youth films. Are you following the same trend?

This is my ninth film as a producer. I've always acted in the films that I have produced because I've always felt it's safer for me to produce a film and act in it till the time I am saleable. I also believe that young people still like to watch my films.

This is the first time I am venturing into a new territory; I hope it pays off. I am not making a film just because youth centric films are working. I make a film which can make my audience smile and learn a bit.

Your films always pay a lot of importance to music.

I have worked with Pritam in the past. He's the most talented music director in our industry. He always harasses me but does it very sweetly. All my directors have had a good music sense.

You have done an item number in the film.

It's not an item number, as I will be seen wearing clothes (Laughs). But we still have time and Bhushan Kumar asked me to do a song in a bikini.

On a serious note, it's not an item number which comes in the beginning of the film. The music and lyrics, of course, make it a peppy number.

There were times when Shah Rukh Khan used to say that he was the best and the other actors came after him. But you don't do that anymore. How come?

I think there are days when I wake up feeling pompous and there are days when I feel humble. Today is a humble day (Smiles).

We always teach our kids to have clear thoughts and no contradictions in life. I feel contradictions are the spice of life. That's what makes life happening.

You just asked the cast of Always Kabhi Kabhi not to think of themselves as stars. Are you saying you are not a star?

The reason I say I am not a star is because I am human. I still cry, laugh, crack jokes, get stressed, feel disturbed But I think you people love me so much because I could be human.

I am still waiting to be a superstar. When I become one, I will be able to advice the others.

Salman Khan has imitated the train sequence from your movie Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge for his upcoming film Bodyguard. What do you have to say?

Films like Maine Pyar Kiya and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayegne started the trend of romantic films in our industry. I recently saw Chalo Dilli and there was a similar scene in the film.

It always makes me smile when I see it. It's sweet if someone is inspired from DDLJ because it's a film to be inspired from.

How did you injure your leg?

I wish I could say I did something macho during the shoot of Ra.One or Don, while I was performing a stunt.

Unfortunately, my leg got stuck in a puddle recently. I turned my leg to take my foot out, and the meniscus tore. It will take a week to get well.