‘I DON’T KNOW HOW TO BE ROMANTIC...

... in real life,’ says Shah Rukh Khan, adds that he’s shy of girls

The first condition I had to do a film in Mumbai was that I won’t do a love story. I was like, ‘Mujhe love story na samajh aati hai, neither do I think I can do it’ SHAH RUKH KHAN, ACTOR

He has been ruling Bollywood as the ‘King of Romance’ for 25 years now. So, it’s hard to believe when Shah Rukh Khan tells you, “I don’t know how to be romantic in real life.” In fact, he never wanted to take up love stories when he entered the world of films. We get chatting with the 51-year-old Bollywood star about his lovey-dovey charm onscreen.

Does romance come easily to you?

Not really! I never thought so. I didn’t know whether I could do a romantic film or not. I never thought I would. As a matter of fact, the first condition I had to do a film in Mumbai was that I won’t do a love story. I was like, ‘Mujhe love story na samajh aati hai, neither do I think I can do it.’ I didn’t do one in my formative years because mujhe lagta tha main achha nahi hoon. Maybe because my life has been so beautiful in terms of romance and otherwise, that I feel it. Or maybe, I’m sensitive and a part of me is very girl-like.

So, how would you explain your lover-boy image?

I have always been very shy especially with girls, so I don’t know how to be romantic in real life. I have a good sense of humour. I don’t know if that helps. I’m very dignified. I know I will never cross boundaries of decency with a woman in any which way, older, younger, little girl. I am very shy of it, I think being shy is romantic.

You were recently featured in the Forbes list of world’s richest actors. How much does money matter to you?

It doesn’t. I wish I had it in the first place (laughs). But I don’t need it... My family and I [have] decided, ‘We are very happy, now just go and make your films.’ And I just do that. I’m not attached to material things. I’m considered one of the richest actors maybe because of valuation of my company. But to me, it’s not a turn on. It has never been!

Jab Harry Met Sejal is your third film with Anushka Sharma [after Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Jab Tak Hai Jaan]. How has your equation transformed with her?

Over the years, I’ve gotten to know her family. I like that she is very earnest. My daughter also really likes her... There is a fantastic amount of comfort [with her].

PHOTO: SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP