Shah Rukh Khan has such clarity that he is nearly a filmmaker: Aanand L Rai

Filmmaker Aanand L.Rai’s strength lies in his ‘small-town’ stories. But the director has stepped out of his comfort zone with his next big project, Zero. The director says Zero is an extension of himself. “I like to hear people say Zero is not my kind of film. Once you start making the same kind of films, it’s a kind of red alert. Once you limit yourself, you will never want to come out of your comfort zone.”

“Having said that, I still believe Zero is a story that I wanted to tell. I still believe that it’s definitely an extension of me. I haven’t changed, but I have grown as a filmmaker,” he states.

Shah Rukh will be playing a dwarf in Zero and according to Rai, the story celebrates life’s imperfections. An opportunity to work with a star does not come easily, and Rai’s collaboration with SRK seems to have propelled him into the big league.

“Nothing has changed in terms of working style, all thanks to Khan saab. He gives you such a free hand and the best thing is that he believes in his director and he allowed me to fly.” says the Tanu Weds Manu director.

“He always says you are a filmmaker, you should not manage it, you should make it. He has got such clarity that he is nearly a filmmaker,” Rai adds. While Shah Rukh plays a dwarf, Anushka has been cast as a physically challenged person and Katrina as an actress.

The film has been slated for release on December 21. All three actors had last featured together in the movie Jab Tak Hai Jaan.