Work with SRK: ZAMANA DEEWANA

What does he say?

I think Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman was his first film, though Deewana was his first release. He
has definitely contributed to Hindi cinema -- there's no question about it. He changed the
face of the Hindi film hero by playing a villain in two very important films -- Darr and
Baazigar.

While some heroes have started life as villains, that wasn't the kind of villain he played.
His first film was Deewana, a proper hero's role. Subsequently also, he played the leading
man. Then, suddenly, he played the villain who was as acceptable as the hero. Which I don't
think any other hero has done.

He started off on a very different note, but has gone on to work even as a normal hero with
films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge -- two examples of a
restrained performance. And he can pull both kinds of performances off very well.

True, there have obviously been certain films that haven't struck the right note. But through
each of his roles, the one thing that comes across very strongly is the energy in his
performances. And it's not always wrongly placed.

Another wonderful thing about him is that he allows other artistes to play their roles without
trying to steal their show. He wins in the process. By doing that, the film gets made in the
right spirit and everybody gets their due. He has the power to manipulate the film to veer in
his direction, but he doesn't do that.

His plus point is that he can play any kind of role and I think he's shown his versatility -- from playing the villain to doing light roles with a lot of panache.

On the sets too, he's always charged. And it comes through. Actors all over the world have
given some mediocre performances, but Shah Rukh has given every project his best. Which is a
very fine quality. I enjoyed working with him in Zamaana Deewana.