Shah Rukh Khan: My Hollywood role should be one that makes India proud

Highlights

• Not interested in taking up a stereotypical role created for Asians in Hollywood, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says "to get a role not specific to my colour or the way I speak or act is very difficult".
• He has been active in Hindi films for over two decades, has featured in more than 80 films and is a superstar, but the 47-year-old has yet to find a suitable role in international films.
• A hugely popular actor in many international countries, one whose face has become synonymous with the huge draw of the Indian film industry, particularly the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry, King Khan feels he doesn't have the USP to work in Hollywood.
• Asked what made him think so, he said: "I didn't talk in terms of fan following."
• "I think the kind of role I would want to do in a Hollywood film is one that makes India proud. To get a role like that is not specific to my colour, or the way I speak, look or act or my age, it's very difficult," said Shah Rukh.
• "I mean you can't go to a big filmmaking world and say write a role for a 47-year-old actor who is brown, has hair like this, acts this way, dances a bit... the role should be something that Indians should be proud of. It's too specific for me to have a USP."
• He however appreciated Indian faces who are doing well on the international arena.
• "There are a few young boys and girls, who are doing really well internationally, and I pray they make it big," he said.
• Shah Rukh relishes and cherishes all the love and attention showered on him on the home turf and is set to woo his fans with Chennai Express.
• In fact, he is right now busy driving the buzz around the comedy drama, coming out this Friday, his first film with new age master of comedies Rohit Shetty.
• Sharing his experience of working with Shetty, Shah Rukh said: "Rohit is fantastically organised. The best part about him is that he has a group of 200 trained people working under him. Rohit knows what he wants. He always delivers the best."
• Chennai Express, Shah Rukh's second film with Deepika Padukone after the 2007 super duper hit Om Shanti Om, has a popular train scene from his Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
• Interestingly, in Chennai Express the name of Shah Rukh's character is Rahul, a screen title he has donned in a string of hits.
• He confesses to being a director's actor.
• "I'm a director's actor. I belong to a world which directors create. I enjoy being with them in their world. I want the world to see me as an actor who molds himself according to the character his director creates for him," said Shah Rukh.
• The Hindi film industry, which is celebrating its 100 years this year, has evolved with new filmmakers enlivening the silver screen with new subjects, Shah Rukh said, adding it's not a new trend.
• "There's Gangs of Wasseypur, Barfi!... all kinds of films are being made, which is good," said Shah Rukh.
• "There have always been all kinds of filmmakers who make films like Iron Man, Batman and Chak De! India. It's always parallel. When I did Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, there was Maya Memsaab too.
• "I always try to work on a different genre. I feel the industry has given me name, fame and money and I won't ever forgive myself if I won't do anything beneficial for Indian cinema and my fans."
• From romantic to villainous and from action to superhero - Shah Rukh has delved into a variety of roles.
• Asked how he is in real life, Shah Rukh said: "I am a little like all of them. There are parts and portions of me that you see in my characters also. If I play a father, I do it the way I would do it with my kids. If I play a lover, I behave the same way I am in real life. I would say I am a funny person but also gentle and kind."