The Interview

In the last seven years, as a director and producer in the Hindi film industry, Rai has had a very successful run, directing films like Tanu Weds Manu and Raanjhanaa and producing Newton, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Mukkabaaz, among others. With his new release, the Shah Rukh Khanstarrer Zero, he has directed the biggest film of his career.

- Jigar Shah

AANAND L RAI recently completed 11 years in the Hindi film industry, as a director and producer. He delivered three back-to-back hits as a director with Tanu Weds Manu, Raanjhanaa and Tanu Weds Manu Returns. He is back after a gap of three years with his most ambitious film, Zero, starring Shah Rukh Khan. Given the detailing and the research required for the film, sources tell us three years was the fastest time in which Rai could have wrapped up the project.

As we sit down to chat about the film and his career as a director and producer, the first thing I notice is his weight loss. I ask him if it is the result of working with Shah Rukh Khan, as I know Rai loves his food. He breaks into a big laugh and says, “No, I enjoy my food. I even talk to my food. My only reason to lose weight was so that I could eat, otherwise people around me were worried. So I thought let me do something that all my loved ones are comfortable with, so they don't worry that my health will be affected, and I can eat in peace.”

It is said that you always wanted to work with Shah Rukh Khan.

One of the first promises I ever made was that whenever I make a film, I get to tell the story I want to tell.

Secondly, I need to reach out to my actor, whom I feel is the best path to take me to my destination. For me, it started with R.Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut, and today I’m with Shah Rukh Khan. Zero asked for Shah Rukh Khan, in that sense. I always say, I’m a very good struggler, I’m very loyal to my stories, so if my stories demand Shah Rukh Khan, wherever he is, I will reach out to him. The best part is, he teaches you things even from his mistakes. It is not that everything he does is right - the thing is if you know what you've done wrong, then you are learning, which is such a good thing.