By Poonam Saxena (Hindustan Times)

New Delhi: Expectedly, Shah Rukh Khan delivered another hit. At an hour-long interview session with filmmaker Karan Johar on the second and last day of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, the king of Bollywood had the audience eating out of his hands. In a snow white shirt and black trousers, hair pulled back in a tiny ponytail, Shah Rukh exuded star power. As he spoke about himself and the industry he works in, he was seldom at a loss for words, always witty and never boring.

“I haven’t been to a gathering called a ‘Summit’ before,” he said, surveying the packed hall. “I read the names of the people who have spoken at the Summit and I wondered, why me? Why was I included in such an important list? I guess I’m the only one among them who has to wear makeup before going to work every day.”

As the audience dissolved in laughter, Shah Rukh added, “So I’m going to be very intellectually advanced today. I’m going to use words like ‘synergy’. And the one that really turns me on: ‘three sixty degrees’.”

On a more serious note, he said he believed India could become a global entertainment portal. “But I’m bored of going to the Oscars. I’m tired of going to the Cannes film festival. I’m tired of telling people in the West that we too make films. I would like international filmmakers to come to India and then take Indian cinema to the world. I’d like to have the Oscars in India at the Ramlila Grounds, maybe sponsored by Reliance, with me dancing and showing my six pack abs!” He said he was also tired of “selling sadness picturesquely shot in Rajasthan. I want to sell happiness, I want to celebrate my country”.

Johar kicked off the session by asking Shah Rukh about crossover films (“when you cross, it’s over”). Shah Rukh replied that while the content should remain as it is — particularly song-and-dance sequences, Bollywood’s USP — Indian films need to be shorter. “I don’t think viewers should feel they haven’t got value for money if the film is not three hours long. I’m short but I am entertaining!”

Describing Shah Rukh as India’s biggest brand, Johar asked him what went into the creation of Brand SRK and about his enduring image as a family man. “I think I don’t have enough girls throwing themselves at me,” laughed Shah Rukh. “That’s why the family man image. As for the branding part, I don’t work in any special way to build my brand. I just try and be honest in my dealings, I try and be unique. Brands work if you are not negative. And I’m not looking to pull anyone down. I’m like a horse who runs with blinkers, I don’t look to my left or right. I just keep running. If I compete with anyone, it’s with myself. I would like my next film to outdo Chak De! India.”

When Johar asked if it was difficult to maintain his branding, Shah Rukh answered, “It is difficult. That’s why I’m holding on to filmmakers like you!”

Shah Rukh agreed that he had become more careful about what he did on screen after the birth of his children. “I don’t like to use bad language in my films. I don’t like dark films, I don’t want to play very mean characters. On the other hand, banning smoking or drinking on screen is not such a great idea.”

Speaking about the media invasion in the country, Shah Rukh said, “I respect the media. I think it brings accountability. And I use the media when I have a film coming up — like now. Om Shanti Om will be competing against a Sony Columbia Tri Star film. So I have told the media that I don’t have 30 or 40 crores to spend on the publicity like Sony; and I have asked them, ‘will you help me?’ If the media is too intrusive and tries to get into your bedroom, then you need to make sure you have big walls and no windows in your bedroom.”

Asked if he would join politics, Shah Rukh said, “I was telling Rahul (Gandhi) that it’s very commendable for young people to join politics. It’s a very self-sacrificing job. I’m too material, too selfish, too capitalistic. Besides, I’m too good-looking!” And then added with a smile, “Rahul is amazing looking too, but I have six pack abs!”

When Johar asked him what he was worth (since actors these days charge up to Rs 16 crore a film), Shah Rukh answered, “I’m priceless! I sell myself for endorsements, I dance at weddings, birthday parties. But movies I do out of love.”

Email: poonamsaxena@hindustantimes.com