How Shah Rukh Khan strategised to become a ‘saleable actor’ even before he made his debut, wanted to become a star before working with Kundan Shah 

When they spoke about directors, Vivek suggested Kundan Shah’s name but Shah Rukh rejected it immediately and from his point of view, he had good reason for the same. “He said Kundan has a great script for me but he has been saying ‘I wish I could take you but my producer wants a star so I can’t take you’. He said he wants me, but he wants me to be a star and then he’ll happily use me. So I said, ‘Okay, I am going to make you a star.’ It was as simple as that,” he recalled. As far as Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman was concerned, it was directed by Aziz Mirza. Kundan and SRK later worked together in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa.

ALSO READ | Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal isn’t about papa’s neglect, it celebrates the type of masculinity that makes world unsafe

Vivek knew that making one movie with Shah Rukh wouldn’t be enough so he devised a plan where Shah Rukh could sign multiple projects at the same time and be known as an actor who was in demand. “I told him you have to sign at least 2-3 films. It doesn’t matter how bad the role is, doesn’t matter how small the role is, what matters is that the film is sold. I don’t care if they know you as a bad actor, they have to now you as a saleable actor,” he recalled.

Soon after, Shah Rukh landed himself a supporting role in Jackie Shroff-starrer King Uncle, along with scoring a three-film deal with Rakesh Roshan’s Filmkraft. Vivek summarised that Shah Rukh actually had four films which saw different firsts. He shared that the first muhurat was for Dil Aashna Hai, first film was Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, first shooting was King Uncle and the first release was Deewana.

Shah Rukh is now looking forward to his next film Rajkumar Hirani, titled Dunki, after his films Pathaan and Jawan have grossed over Rs 2000 crore at the worldwide box office.