Mumbai: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has had a tryst with off-beat films with 'Maya Memsaab', 'Swades', 'Chak De! India', but does not understand the concept of this genre as he feels his presence can turn any unconventional film into a mainstream money-spinner.
The 48-year-old actor, best known for his romantic hero act in films, said he did take a few risks with his movies but since he is such a big star, his experimental films also find audience. "What is an off-beat film? You put me in an off-beat film and it will become on-beat. Like 'Chak De! India' was an off-beat film and it did really well money wise. It is the biggest success of my career," Shah Rukh told PTI.
"I think any film that I am part of will become bigger than it was meant to be as I am big movie star. Even if it is an off-beat movie, people will watch it and so it will become on-beat. I did 'Maya Memsaab', 'Oh Darling Yeh Hai India', 'Darr', 'Baazigar', 'Swades', 'Chak De! India' and others so I do off-beat films whenever I feel like doing it," he said.
However, Shah Rukh said that he is cautious about starring in off-beat films and will never take up such projects just to comply with what others want him to do. "I will never do anything that others want me to do. I have enough money, I am a rich star, I am famous and have enough awards. I will do films that make me happy like I did 'Ra.One' because my children likes superheroes. My father played hockey so I wanted to do 'Chak De'. It is important to feel excited about doing what you want to," he said.
Shah Rukh said that his forthcoming releases YRF's 'Fan' and Rahul Dholakia's 'Raees' fall in the category of off-beat cinema and he is happy to be a part of them. The star, who has been in the industry for over two decades, said even at this stage of his career he does not worry about his work as he knows he is evolving as an actor with each passing day.
"I have no worries at all. I am good at the craft, I am at a good level. I know my choices and do my best. I have no worries as every day you evolve as an actor. Actors don't worry and if they do they are not actors they are stars. And I am an actor. My stardom overshadows my work," he said.
Shah Rukh is aiming to usher in a crackling Diwali at the box office with his upcoming multi-starrer film 'Happy New Year'. The movie will see the reunion of SRK and choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan after the success of 'Main Hoon Naa' and 'Om Shanti Om'. The actor said during the making of the film, which also stars Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah, he learnt many important lessons especially the virtue of being patient.
"I have never done an ensemble film where everyone has an equal part. When you are trying to entertain people you have to get bigger and better. 'Happy New Year' is a venture which we all have tried to take it to the biggest level possible to entertain people so that they are happy on Diwali. As an actor who has worked for 20 years and who could lose patience easily I think what this film has taught me is you got to be patient. Every good thing comes with patience. It doesn't come with speed, aggression. I think patience is another name for creativity," Shah Rukh said.
'Happy New Year', produced by SRK's banner Red Chillies Entertainment, will hit theatres on October 24.
