EXCLUSIVE: “I am the wind behind their wings,” SRK on working with Alia and Gauri

It is not everyday that you get to meet a star cast as perfect and lively as this one. Ever since the promos of SRK-Alia starrer Dear Zindagi got out, we couldn't help reasoning about the unusual pairing but trust us when we say this: Gauri Shinde couldn't have chosen a better duo. While SRK is funny, quirky and full of wit- Alia on the other hand, is young, chirpy and has an aura of novelty about her. When together, their camaraderie cannot be ignored. And that's exactly what we witnessed when we met up with the dashing trio (Gauri-SRK-Alia) in the capital city, where they were on the promotional spree.

Excerpts from the interview:

SRK, what excited you to say yes to Dear Zindagi? What message do you think this movie can convey to us?

SRK: I think very interestingly, this movie applies & implies to everyone. Boys-girls, men-women everyone. It deals with a much larger aspect. It deals with breakups, makeups, go to hell. It deals with everything that happens with people. Their ups and downs and how they work this out. One, by accepting yourself as you are and second, by celebrating all the imperfections of life itself and being alright with them. So I thought that message was very interesting. Because I really believe that perfection is boring & you've to celebrate all the consistencies that we've in ourselves. Live with your complexities and try to make the best of it. So that was the reason for saying yes to the movie. Plus, I was also getting a chance to work with Gauri.

We recently saw the BTS video, Alia. How much were you bullied by SRK?

Alia: He didn't really bully me. That was just his sense of humor and my ...

SRK : And my gratefulness, Won't you say Alia?

Alia (laughs): Yeah, gratefulness. But he didn't bully me. That was just fun.

Gauri, English Vinglish came 4 years ago. What took you so long to come up with your next movie?

Gauri: I am very lazy yaar. I mean seriously that's also a reason. I believe that until a really good subject comes along there's no point in just adding to the list of films that are being made. So I think until I got a really compelling story that I was dying to tell, I didn't want to come up with anything.

It's been 25 years of SRK in Indian Cinema. How do you think you've evolved as a person from Deewana to Dear Zindagi? What has it taken from you and what has it given to you?

SRK: See the evolution of an actor should be asked by his audience. For me to sit and analyze what I do and how I do is tough. I have a process which has become very deep rooted and inside now. It's been years in acting. And how I have changed from when I started off is that there used be a lot of insecurities and issues and lot of impatience back then. It doesn't happen now. Earlier, It was that want to prove and get it right and in that run, maybe I've overdone things or underdone things. Also, I don't even watch my own films ever and I don't want to. I just do films.

Go on..

SRK: I think doing is much better than sitting and discussing, analyzing and figuring things out. If you do things enough say for example take Math subject- Instead of sitting and trying to learn it from a teacher if you keep doing it, you get it right. So, I get up in the morning and just do my films.

Alia, you're merely 23, a tender age where most of us are usually busy taking the wrong turns in life, but you're getting it all correct. How do you do it? How does it click to you that so and so movie, will be right or not?

Alia: I also take wrong turns sometimes. It's not that I don't go wrong. I do go wrong and I will go wrong and I should go wrong so that I can also go right. But I genuinely just go with my gut and instincts for every film thinking what I want to see as an audience, how I want to challenge myself as an actor, something that I want to just shake it off. And this has worked out for me this whole time. Like right now what I am trying to do is an out and out crazy comedy, I really feel like doing it and I've been saying it out loud so that the universe sends me some crazy kind of comedy films.

People say the first film you make is important but I feel that second film is more important because it cements the position. Gauri what's your take on this?

Gauri: I don't think that ease my objective or I consciously thought about it that I want to cement my position, I don't know which position I am in currently. But I am not trying to compete with my first film or any film. This is a very independent film. It was a thought which I passionately and desperately wanted to convey, like this story had to come out of me. And this is the only reason why you make something. Because you feel like telling a story.

SRK, You used to be all up for film promotions earlier. What is your thought process when it comes to promoting a movie considering you are often termed to be the 'marketing expert'. And how different are promotions now than they were 10 years ago?

SRK: I think it's all crap which people think that I am marketing genius. I never was and I have never been. I am just very good looking and sexy so wherever I go, people follow. I think I speak well, have a good voice and looks. What else matters (laughs)?

See, I come from a school where every film has to be talked about. So remember if you've followed me in the marketing- the only reason you market a product is to inform your consumer this is what it entails. And film selling is the only product you can't exchange if you don't like it. So if you've bought the tickets then it's our duty as a filmmaker, as all of us professionals to inform the audience about a film as every film requires information. After that, if it still goes wrong which it might go then I will not be able to return their money back. There's no guarantee on this product. And promotions today have become a different story. Things get picked up really fast, you don't really need to do so much. Even for Raees I'll be very clear ki itna bohot hai yaar because there are so many people chatting and talking about, what you're talking about so it gets multiplied so fast.

Is that why we see so little of you during film promotions these days?

SRK: I am not keeping myself away from it. See I know marketing. It's a part of my job. I have worked here for 25 years but I also think that every film has its own space and in this film, the message is loud and clear. I am not trying to shirk away from my responsibilities but these two ladies (Gauri and Alia) are the main leads of the film and one needs to celebrate that first and then secondly or thirdly me. 

Alia: C'mon..

SRK: No seriously! It's a film which stems from them and I am riding along in the nicest possible way. My only worry with this film is that I hope I have done good enough. As good as the film and the other performances are. I am the wind behind their wings so I can't be seen but feel.

Gauri: So lovely!

From a cute chubby girl to a sensuous actress- you've come a long way, but did you love your Zindagi even then? Or were you fighting a constant battle over the extra kilos?

SRK: What! You were 68? I think that would be me right now (chuckles).

Alia: No, you're not fat 68. You're fit 68 SRK. Coming to your question, I feel I was way free and less conscious when I was 68 kgs. I am more conscious about the way I look now. Because that time you had no inhibitions. I used to eat a lot. I was a happy kid who'd keep eating. But now I am happier with this healthier lifestyle.