Yash Chopra took Shah Rukh Khan, wife Gauri and Farha Khan to Manoj Kumar's house on Tuesday night. Manoj Kumar tells CT that though he has a role for SRK, he can't afford the star
PRIYANKA DASGUPTA
Finally, Shah Rukh Khan paid you a visit...
• Yes, it was a surprise visit and very delightful moment in my life. I was having dinner at quarter to eight when my watchman said Mr Yash Chopra wants to come up. And there I saw an entire baraat coming over to my place. It seemed like family get together for me. The reunion lasted for two hours.
Did you offer him dinner?
• No. But they had mithai, chai pani, sherbet. It was one of the sweetest occasions in my life.
Did you give Shah Rukh the homeopathy medicines to help him quit smoking?
• He did not ask me for the medicines.
Was there any apology tendered to you?
• I did not allow him to say sorry. The moment he tried to raise the topic, I asked him to shut up.
Then, why did you want him to say sorry all this while?
• The fact that he came over to my place was good enough. Those who have an inclination of repentance have a good soul in their body. I always salute good souls.
Considering that this was his first meeting, how did you find SRK?
• He behaves as a very regular and ordinary citizen of this country. He is King Khan for films and for media. But in real life, he is a common man. Even Gauri was wonderful.
What did you talk to Farha about?
• She has given me a duty to select three names for her children.
Have you decided on the names?
• Hmmm. I haven't as yet. I'd like the name Rakshak for a baby boy. For the baby girl, I like the name Gangotri.
Didn't you discuss films?
• No. We didn't talk about watching the film. Shah Rukh is humourous and he was responding to jokes wholeheartedly.
Did he crack any jokes?
• No. I don't remember it. I told Shah Rukh: "Yash Chopraji is here. He has my number for 45 years and hasn't still given me work!" We all burst out laughing at my comment. I told Yashji that apart from being a great filmmaker and a family man, he is also the custodian of love and brotherhood.
Don't you think this matter was dragged too far?
• If there is any misunderstanding between two person, it can't be resolved over the telephone and by media intervention. It has to be a man-to-man communication.
Don't you wish to direct Shah Rukh some day?
• Yes. But I can't afford him. After Raj (Kapoor) saab, Shah Rukh has been the most agile actor in the industry. I have a script for him. It was a role that I had written for myself.
What kind of a role do you want to cast Shah Rukh in?
• Pran was branded villain. But if you give a good role to a good actor, he will deliver. From being the bad man, he played Malang chacha in Upkar with lan. I don't believe in typecasting. I believe in meaningful cinema. I am not against entertainment but against vulgarity. I want to give a sugar coated pill of cinema that appeals to audiences from Amritsar to America. I'd want to cast Shah Rukh in the role of a matured lover who is aware of problems of the society. No religion teaches us to kill human beings. I have a character who is in love with humanity and would want to tell people that we are not practicing religion the way we should. I have four titles for my films:Indo-Pak: A Love Saga, Naukarani: The Indian Maid, With Love from India and India in America. I don't wish to deal with politics in the first film. I shall start making it only if I get permission to shoot in Pakistan. It will be about human relationships. When my house was being constructed, I had shifted to a rented place. While staying there, I found that an apartment is a mirror of society. Through the maid's eye, I want to highlight these issues in Naukarani: The Indian Maid. For With Love from India, I am negotiating with a heroine from Hollywood. India in America will not be a NRI film or a remake of Purab Aur Paschim. Apart from Naukrani, every film will has a character that will suit Shah Rukh.
Will you be approaching Shah Rukh now that you have met him?
• I have not told him that. He is a very big star and I can't afford him. I will not discuss business with him.
Times of India (Calcutta Times)
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