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INDIATIMES MOVIES
Happy birthday Shah Rukh. You're touching the 'Big 40' – when most metabolisms slow down. Do you feel it catching up?
"No, its good for me if I slowed down a bit. Last 39–40 years, I've been running around at super-speed. It'll do me good to slow myself, so I don't wear out. In a way it's a regenerating process. I would want my metabolism to stay the same but I want to take it all at an easier pace."
Looking back, you feel you've done it all the right way? Or would you like to 'erase, rewind ... a bit?
"Not really actually. More than what I've done, it's how people have accepted me. I've done it the way people have been doing it for so many years. It's thanks to all the people who've watched me and liked me. And I'm glad it's happened this way. I don't think very many people get to be so lucky, so blessed or get such a nice life. I wouldn't want to change anything. I say, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. I'm in America so I'm speaking like them, excuse me."
The natural testosterone-driven reaction to insinuations on a hetero male's sexuality is to 'pound their heads in'? How do you stay so calm at such questions?
"I would want to 'pound their heads' if I wasn't happy with the way I am. I've never had any problems with people's orientation. They could be long, short, dark – or even have different sexual orientations, but that's never made me uncomfortable. Likewise, I know what I'm all about and my friends and family know and that's what matters."
Happy birthday Shah Rukh. You're touching the 'Big 40' – when most metabolisms slow down. Do you feel it catching up?
"No, its good for me if I slowed down a bit. Last 39–40 years, I've been running around at super-speed. It'll do me good to slow myself, so I don't wear out. In a way it's a regenerating process. I would want my metabolism to stay the same but I want to take it all at an easier pace."
Looking back, you feel you've done it all the right way? Or would you like to 'erase, rewind ... a bit?
"Not really actually. More than what I've done, it's how people have accepted me. I've done it the way people have been doing it for so many years. It's thanks to all the people who've watched me and liked me. And I'm glad it's happened this way. I don't think very many people get to be so lucky, so blessed or get such a nice life. I wouldn't want to change anything. I say, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. I'm in America so I'm speaking like them, excuse me."
The natural testosterone-driven reaction to insinuations on a hetero male's sexuality is to 'pound their heads in'? How do you stay so calm at such questions?
"I would want to 'pound their heads' if I wasn't happy with the way I am. I've never had any problems with people's orientation. They could be long, short, dark – or even have different sexual orientations, but that's never made me uncomfortable. Likewise, I know what I'm all about and my friends and family know and that's what matters."
Media remember you as a hot-tempered, angry newcomer - impatient with everyone – from 15 years ago -- what's caused the metamorphosis?
"Yes, just the other day a friend commented about how patient I'd become. I guess it has happened over the last 4-5 years; since my kids came into my life. They're unruly and uncontrollable and they say a lot of things that they're not supposed to; but I love them. The media is like that too. I treat the media like I would children. And today, I think I've learnt to accept a lot of things. Overall, they've has been good to me. I would not be honest if I said otherwise. I think I can forgive some uneducated people if they say certain things. And now especially with so much 'tabloidism' coming into TV, radio; even newspapers have become like that. Maybe with foreign media coming in a big way into the country, things are finding their own levels. I'm in the media too. So I guess as a person I've become more patient and understanding
They say, as you get older you get more religious. Is that true for you?
"I was always religious. I pray to Allah everyday. Sometimes more than five times a day. I believe everything in life is controlled by Allah. I believe that Islam means 'peace' and 'charity'; just as Hinduism stands for 'goodness' and 'karma'. It's important to take that time out to connect with your beliefs."
Your 40th birthday resolution is ...
"I think that should be to give up smoking. If I can do that then I will be 'the king of the world' – which I already am, of course. So then I'll be more 'kinger'!
Any special message to your fans
"I cannot express my love enough. My fans will always be special in my life. It's nice to have so many people who are not related to you love you so much. It is for them that I'm working towards the Oscar. If I get it, Inshallah, I'll be happy. If I don't get it, it won't be for any want of trying."
"Yes, just the other day a friend commented about how patient I'd become. I guess it has happened over the last 4-5 years; since my kids came into my life. They're unruly and uncontrollable and they say a lot of things that they're not supposed to; but I love them. The media is like that too. I treat the media like I would children. And today, I think I've learnt to accept a lot of things. Overall, they've has been good to me. I would not be honest if I said otherwise. I think I can forgive some uneducated people if they say certain things. And now especially with so much 'tabloidism' coming into TV, radio; even newspapers have become like that. Maybe with foreign media coming in a big way into the country, things are finding their own levels. I'm in the media too. So I guess as a person I've become more patient and understanding
They say, as you get older you get more religious. Is that true for you?
"I was always religious. I pray to Allah everyday. Sometimes more than five times a day. I believe everything in life is controlled by Allah. I believe that Islam means 'peace' and 'charity'; just as Hinduism stands for 'goodness' and 'karma'. It's important to take that time out to connect with your beliefs."
Your 40th birthday resolution is ...
"I think that should be to give up smoking. If I can do that then I will be 'the king of the world' – which I already am, of course. So then I'll be more 'kinger'!
Any special message to your fans
"I cannot express my love enough. My fans will always be special in my life. It's nice to have so many people who are not related to you love you so much. It is for them that I'm working towards the Oscar. If I get it, Inshallah, I'll be happy. If I don't get it, it won't be for any want of trying."
Mr And Mrs Parshuram
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Seher Hone Ko Hai
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