WE HAVE TO GIVE RANBIR R5,000: SRK

SRK says Kapoor suggested the title of his next; averts a clash with an Akshay Kumar film, says he’d “always change the release dates” of his movies if possible

For some time now, there have been talks around Shah Rukh Khan’s next with film-maker Imtiaz Ali — vis-à-vis the film’s title and a clash with another bigticket film. Now, as the film’s poster and title, Jab Harry Met Sejal (JHMS) become a talking point, we chat with the superstar about it, who quips that “Imtiaz has finally made a happy film”. Excerpts from an interview:

There were many supposed titles in the fray. How did you finally decide on this one?

Actually, we always only had a working title, which Imtiaz had written on the script. He always names his films — such as Highway (2014) and The Ring — in English, maybe except for Rockstar (2011) for which the working title was retained. So, we were like, ‘we will think of a Hindi title as we go along’. None of the titles such as Rehnuma and XYZ, which were doing the rounds, were in consideration. I know it’s a classic English film (When Harry Met Sally; 1989) but we always had JHMS in mind since the characters’ names are Harry and Sejal.

What’s the Ranbir Kapoor connect with it?

I don’t want to say it but Ranbir suggested it so, we have to give him ` 5,000 for the same (laughs). He called me the day the film was launched and said, ‘Shah Rukh bhai, the film should be called, ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’. I really liked it but Imtiaz said it’ll remind people of his old film (Jab We Met; 2007). Then, when the title song comes on, the title’s meaning also comes along. So, after thinking a lot — at least internally — we all started calling it JHMS.

Also, there won’t be the much talked about clash with Akshay Kumar’s Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (August 11) as you moved your film’s release date to August 4…

I have always maintained that if possible, I would change the release dates of my films [to avoid clashes]. Earlier, another film was releasing on August 4, but when that one was removed from that date, we thought it’s a great weekend with the Raksha Bandhan holiday too falling then. Also, I think JHMS is in the space of a long-running film; it’s not a weekendoriented film. So, we will get the benefit of the second big holiday — August 15 too. It’s that kind of film, since it’s a classic love story.

You are doing a love story after a gap…

Yes, I am doing one after over a year. So, most of my office [people] also felt that since it’s not an action film for which we should be like, ‘teen din ki acchi opening le le bas’ (hope the film has a great opening for three days). It’s not just about me doing a love story after a break; Imtiaz is also doing a happy love story and the cast is very good with Anushka (Sharma) in it too. It’s a sweet film with songs, comedy and music, so we felt that two week run will be good for us. Also when two films clash, people start talking [more] about actors leading to a lot of negativity. So, we forget our films and start answering questions about the other film. I wanted to stay away from that and my office was also clear that we wanted that.

It’s not just about me doing a love story after a break; Imtiaz is also doing a happy love story and the cast is very good with Anushka (Sharma) in it too. SHAH RUKH KHAN, ACTOR