Transcripts For BBCNEWS Talking Movies 20240713

Hello, this is bbc news with shaun ley. The headlines. As the final few days of campaigning get under way the conservatives promise to introduce an australian style points based immigration system to control unskilled migration. Meanwhile, labour has set out its plans for social care if it wins the election by offering more funding and free personal care for older people in england. A factory fire in the indian capital, delhi, which broke out in the early hours of the morning has killed at least 43 people. The british boxer, anthonyjoshua, has reclaimed his World Championship belts from andy ruinr becoming only the fourth heavyweight in the sports history to win a direct rematch. Manchester city has promised to give a lifetime ban to anyone found guilty of racist abuse after Manchester United players said they were targeted during the derby. Dame helen mirrenjoined crowds in Trafalgar Square last night as thousands of people in cities around the world camped overnight to raise cash to tackle homelessness. Now on bbc news. To mark the 20th anniversary of talking movies, tom brook meets the prolific bollywood actor, Shah Rukh Khan. Great to see you. I didnt know it was a big thing, i thought i was just meeting you personally. Oh, really . Hello from mumbai, im tom brook. For a special 20th Anniversary Edition of talking movies, i came to india to interview top bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Were here outside his home where fans congregate at all hours of the day. He is the king of bollywood, followed by millions. Hes my hero, ijust simply love him. How big a legend is Shah Rukh Khan . Oh, i cant explain this, its beyond imagination. Right now ive got goosebumps. So nice to see you. I greeted him as he arrived at a special mumbai event to mark the 20th anniversary of talking movies. This 54 year old megastar seemed delighted to be there. I have to confess i am biased when it comes to Shah Rukh Khan i am a fan myself, and i have interviewed him several times before. Visiting bollywood this time, he was the one i wanted to talk to about the changes taking place in the indian Film Industry, and ask him where he is headed next with his career. Shah rukh khans first bollywood film was the action romance drama deewana in 1992. But he became known for playing antiheroes, villainous characters the first role of that ilk was in baazigar in 1993. Yet it is for his work in a series of romantic films, for which he is best known. Born a muslim and married to a hindu, he has become a unifying figure in india, at a time when there are few. And he has one 14 film their awards, the hindi Film Industrys equivalent of the oscars. 0ur invited audience, made up of Shah Rukh Khan fans, were eager to hear what he had to say. All right, now for the moment everyone has been waiting for. We have a great guest of honour here tonight, who i am going to interview, lets have a great round of applause for Shah Rukh Khan cheering and applause. You sit here. Thank you very much. On behalf of talking movies, a very big welcome, especially on the occasion of our 20th anniversary, it really means a lot to have you here and to be able to talk to you. Tell me, did you always want to be an actor . Ok, so i, first i want to say thank you tom for having me here this evening, and ifully respect the wonderfulness of talking movies that youve created at the bbc, but i came here only to see you. Honestly, i truly hold him singlehandedly responsible for making indian movies, and indian stars, men and women alike, extremely important in the western world. So thank you for having me over, and thank you for such a wonderful hello. When you ask about, did i always want to be an actor . I dont know, its like i want to know, did you always want to be an anchor, did you want to always interview movie stars and look after movies . Or did just happened, if i may ask you . I had very peculiar interests as a child, and the things i wanted to do were quite odd, i wanted to be a telecommunications expert, i want to be an Airline Pilot and a psychotherapist. But i think it is best i ended up doing journalism for everyones sake. Same as me, i wanted to be an astronaut, an army officer, as scientist and an economist. And it all rolled into the amazingly intellectual actor that i have become. Applause. You definitely made the right choice. Let me ask you a bit about your early career. Was there one role that you felt really defined you as an actor early on, and gave you recognition . When you start off, one of the main roles, at least during my time, it was to play a madman, play a guy who is crazy and you always think as an actor, that is the thing i want to do. You all want to bejoker from batman, you want to be Jack Nicholson from the shining, yeah, you want to be mr prem chopra, from a lot of the films, or gabbar singh at least. So there were these moments that you had. I was told that when i entered the Film Industry, i was told by a director, i wont name him, but he called me and said very honestly, i love him for that, i worked with him later and respect him for that he is a good friend even now, despite what he told me, he looked at me and said the greatest asset you have as an actor is that you are ugly, and i can put you in any role. Thats not true. He didnt know better at the time, but there is no accounting for taste. He looked at me and said, you are different looking, i guess thats what he meant, it came out a little wrong, he said, i can put you in any role, and that is the greatest asset you have. I did not think of myself as someone who could be a typical hindi movie star, but i somehow got in tune with, you know, i should play some bad guys, maybe then i will eb accepted. And because i was from theatre, the difference between the protagonists is really, you are playing one of the main parts. So to say, and i lived by this, there are no small roles, only small actors. And genuinely so because of theatre, i did not want to be the hero, i didnt want to romance a girl, i didnt want to be doing the typical things. In terms of inspiration, where there particular actors that really made an impact on you when you were an up and coming yourself . Lots of them. Growing up i loved Peter Sellers, i loved michaelj fox a lot, and my acting is hugely, i was acting with the british theatre teacher, so i was hugely impacted by Peter Sellers and british actors, now gary 0ldman and everyone. From india i think mr rishi kapoor, mr amitabh bachchan, obviously its like, you know, mr bachchan is like a birthmark for actors, you have to have it. Otherwise you can never really become an actor. I always learn what not to do, or what to do from those actors. I love actors, so these three or four people essentially, yes. You have been more than successful with yourcareer, but in recent times, a couple of your films have not done so well. Why do you think that is, is it to do with changes in the industry, or what are your thoughts about that, really . I have been doing this business for so long, and people get a little disturbed because you make all films with a lot of effort and happiness and goodness, but goodness and happiness does not a good film make, you have to tell a good story. So with due respect to all the other people involved in the films that have not done well, i think we just made bad films, it is as simple as that. Because in india, everyone knows how to play cricket, and how to make movies. Laughter and applause. Everybody. So they meet you, so they tell sachin how to do a forward defensive stroke, and they tell me how to do a story. But i really believe there is no one reason for a movie going wrong, except that i truly believe i told the story badly. It is the only reason these films are a flop. And i have always said this, it is not with humility, its with honesty i am the employee of the audience, and if i cannot make my boss happy i will be fired from the job. So a couple of times in the last two years, i have been fired from the job. They want to give me a chance again . I will come back and i will get my boss on my side. Definitely. As an actor, do you think as you get older, you are being offered or doing more interesting roles than when you were younger . 0r other roles getting less interesting . I would like to absolutely set the record straight for talking movies and bbc, iam not old. Dont do, what is called, fake reporting. I apologise. Just be guarded next time. In the second part is, no, i dont think so. I am very fortunate that when i started off, because of being unconventional, like, say, in yourtrade, wanting to do really different things, i think i did not get, or i dont get typecast for too long. Sometimes i make the choices according to what i personally feel like doing, like a comedy and i will do it sometimes, like now i am really wanting to do a kickass action film. A good action film. You have done those in the past. I have done a couple of them, but i have not made it to the alpha male category. So i really want to my six pack has failed, nothing that makes people feel like i am the macho guy, so that is one thing. Deep voice, speak very little, walk into a room, shoot before you say hi. Then you ride a motorbike, high speed, hairflying, dark glasses and chew gum. Thats what i want. Sounds very cool. Let me ask you, some of your films have real staying power. There is one film, i cant say it in hindi but it is referred to as ddlj. Dilwale dulhania le jayenge. You do it very nicely. It has been playing in a cinema here in mumbai for more than 20 years. Why has it had such staying power, do you think . We did not think even for a bit it would be such a big hit, let alone a commercial success. We thought it would be a sweet film. Because the film was released in the 90s, i think the liberalisation movement all around the world started, globalisation, india became liberal. I think there was people looking into india, and india looking outwards, and indians all around the world, which i always claim are the biggest asset to india, because there are so many of us, and we can always turn around the corner in new york or london or hungary and find an indian somewhere. They felt like attaching themselves to things back home. I think all those things came together. And in a certain sense, antiestablishment was over, people were not angsty, people were easy. And i have said all this because i have read it somewhere. Laughter. Honestly that is the fun part of it. The fact is, it was just sweet and nice to make the film. Applause. Its great that it has such longevity. Let me ask you this. Few people can outdo you in terms of a Fan Following around the world. With your fans, do you actively enjoy engaging with them or does it ever feel like an obligation that you have to do . If i say that, it sounds like i am being humble. Thats what people think sometimes, i am really humble, but they come from a place where entertainment is extremely important but engagement is even more. And over the years, in the last 25 years, the fact that i became suddenly such a big star, which i never imagined, i can still not comprehend the magnitude of it. I cannot understand, i am still really shocked at the fact that people love me so much after so many years and even after disappointing very often and doing some good stuff also, for me, it is just very important to meet everybody. For me, meeting fans is the only opportunity where i feel i am somehow trying to say thank you or being grateful orjust being able to say, i dont know why you like me, but thanks and keep liking me its that kind of a situation. I dont even like calling them fans, to be honest. I just love the people who love me so much, and i want to meet them because my line of work doesnt give me many opportunities, i am on a studio floorfor many hours a day, ijust want to meet people and spend time with them. Having said that, no pictures after this interview. Laughter i heard that you dont think you are a particularly good dancer, is that right . Yes. Im petrified when i have to do songs, in the films, and more often than not i will be obviously co partnered by some of the most amazing and beautiful and fantastically graceful ladies the indian Film Industry has ever produced, all such superb dancers, and i am such a nincompoop. I have four or five left feet. I am really pathetic. And i have to tell you, honestly, you dont believe it, because of course they save me, the choreographers and the directors and the actresses that i have worked with. I dont know if your assessment of your dancing is totally accurate because i have seen some very impressive moves, there is a film with a sequence where you are dancing on top of a train, and that is an incredible bit of cinema, was that difficult to do . That was one of the funnest things to do, because when you are on top of a moving train, they are not going to give you steps like this, so theyjust said, just do what you can. And all i could do was this, so ijust did that. I want to show off a little. Im the only person on the train who is not tied down to the train. Everybody else is. I want to show off a little. Im the only person on the train who is not tied down to the train. Everybody else is. It is dangerous . I would like to now show off and say, it was extremely dangerous. Only a few people in the world can do it, and the other one is not alive anymore. It was one of the most fun things, and that song and dance i can do anytime, because it only involves four steps. So how about, you start it, and ill follow. No, no, no, no. Theres no way i am doing that, im the most clumsiest person alive come on, tom no no, you have to do it. Can ijust do a very bad pun . These steps, any tom, dick, and harry can do. No no stand with me. Ok, i ll stand with you. Applause oh dear. I love that sequence in the movie. It is brilliant. Was it difficult to do . No, actually in three days we shot it. The director was very clear, theyjust wanted this energy. It was good fun. Dealing with movies in general, contemporary movies, are there any particular favourite that you had, films that be made recently that you have been impressed by . I think gully boy was nice. I like the story of a underdog, rising up and using his talent instead of falling prey to what the parents want and then coming out on top. It has songs, it has dances, but it has a different kind of a setting, so it is not your typical indie film and it still has a lot of the tropes used and arranged differently. I think that was good, and the performances, of course. That film has been put forward as indias submission for the oscars, hasnt it . One of the things that interest me in a way is the academy, the oscars institution is 90 years old but it has only been on five occasions that an indian film has got a nomination. Do you think there is a bias towards indian cinema, that it doesnt get more recognition by organizations by the Academy Awards . Sometimes, we choose a film which we think is the best indian entry, and more often than not it is, but perhaps it does not fall into the way that 0scar looks at cinema for the rest of the world. I hope that that changes, but from the indian side, all the top filmmakers and associations should make an effort to understand what does 0scar desire from india as a film that they would like to look up. Im sure, the thousands of them is we make we will find seven or ten. So that is the reason, i think, not a bias. One of the things that i really like about indian cinema is how self sufficient it is. It has its own industry, its own star system, and it really can get along without hollywood. I think hollywood only owns about 10 of the indian market. Do indians really care about what the rest of the world thinks about their cinema in a way, because it is so self sufficient . I think if i was to look at it from an artistic point of view, every artist wants more and more recognition, so i think on that basis, yes, it matters to us indians and everyone. It makes us very proud if we can take our work around the world. Having said that, the self sufficiency that you talk about, i dont want to be the harbinger of doom, but it wont be for long if we are not able to move with the times in terms of changing the cinema for indian audience, i think the Younger Generation has access to a lot more around the world that we have to somehow cater to the young ones of india more than the rest of the world. Bollywood had its metoo moment a year ago. Did you see it coming in any way at all . Its been a conversation everywhere in the world. At least in the cinematic world and media world, it has made us a little more aware that it may not happen so easily or with such flippancy or with such a men dominated zone, so i think that was a good thing, and i hope that sticks around. Do you think there has been really significant change as a result of the Metoo Movement . Of course. I think awareness has happened and it will make a big change, because people now are wary, people now are worried, and a little scared, and it should not be taken inaway. Nobody takes it for granted anymore, let me end it at that. People see you ultimately as a performer, have you ever thought of directing at all . Would that interest you . I would, but i would tell people if they are interested infilmmaking, ifind being a director, and an honest director, a very lonelyjob. I think it is the singular most lonelyjob anyone can do. Here you are, kind of playing god, you are making a film, you are telling the actors how to act, choosing the dialogue, making the script, selling it to the audience, editing it in dark rooms, dont know when to say ok or not but go with your gut, and when the film comes out you are all alone in the success and failure of it. I think being a director is an extremely lonelyjob. If i became a director, it will get into a place where i will feel perhaps lonely and sad. Right now, ifeel alone and happy, but i may become lonely and sad. I would love to direct an action film. I want to grow up and be christopher nolan, but i dont know if i have the gumption. You are an incredibly accomplished actor. What do you want your legacy to be in terms of what you pass on to Younger Generations . If i can pass on the culture of immense hard work with a lot of humour, and without trying to feel that you worked hard. If you can wear your success like a t shirt, not like a tuxedo. If you can be easy about the fact that you got the opportunities to do well but they came about only because you worked hard, and thats it. There is nothing more important to your work than that. That you worked hard, enjoy yourself, gave a few good laughs, and if it makes you a star, so be it. Wear it like a t shirt. If it doesnt make you a star, at least you worked hard and enjoyed yourself. Shah rukh khan, thank you so much for doing this interview. It means a lot to me. Thank you for being so generous in your response. Thank you for the coffee. Shah rukh khan is equal to what water is to india, what air is to india. I have memorised each of his dialogues, each of his songs. I probably could do each of the steps that he does in all of his movies. He is very honest, very humble, and a guy who teaches the value of hard work. He has given me the inspiration to do something in life, become someone. In many ways, its not just about acting, its about the personality of that person. The way he can talk, the way he can make people want him, that is a very important part of him. Thank you very much. A very good morning. It is time to batten down the hatches. Things are going to get increasingly lively across the uk for the rest of today, through the evening and overnight. Again, a couple of times in the week ahead, were up against deep areas of low pressure. Through the week ahead, there is likely to be a knock on effect to transport, weather. Whether it is strong when causing damage or disruption due to stormy seas. This is the weather low, isobars on the chart. Widespread gales, persistent rain in northern ireland. Showers driven through the central belt. Wintry higher grounds. In east anglia, spared. But heavy ones with a focus further west through the morning. These are the gusts through the afternoon. Gales across the board but particularly around irish sea coasts, we a re but particularly around irish sea coasts, we are concerned that the winds will peek through through the evening and overnight. Squally showers come marching through. Winds up showers come marching through. Winds up to 80 miles an hour. The irish sea will remain choppy into monday. This ridge of High Pressure begins to topple in and ease the winds. To the east, a squeeze in the isobars. 0n the east, a squeeze in the isobars. On monday. Northerly winds, arctic airwill on monday. Northerly winds, arctic air will phil coulter. Strong winds, along the north sea coasts, choppy seas and they tend to ease through the afternoon. A big change in how things feel. Factoring in the wind, it will feel the equivalent of freezing. 0vernight on monday and into tuesday, warming things up. Temperatures rise overnight as the south westerly wind begins to left. Found piles in. Try first thing in the east on tuesday. Strong winds, something more wintry on higher grounds. Look at the surge in temperatures. 12 or 13 degrees across the south west. This yellow plume is tuesday is milder air. A flip of the coin next, a chilly story and waiting in the wings, heading our way, potentially mild weather. As we see the arrival of more areas of low pressure, the wet and windy story continues. Everything but the kitchen sink for you over the coming days this is bbc news im shaun ley. The headlines at 11am. As the final few days of campaigning get under way, the conservatives promise to introduce an australian style points based immigration system to control unskilled migration. First violinists, nuclear physicists, prima ballerinas, whatever, they are going to come in. What we want to do is bear down on migration, particularly of unskilled workers who have no job to come to. Meanwhile labour sets out its plans for social care if it wins the election, by offering free personal care for older people in england and an additional £10 billion of funds. Part of the reason why our nhs is under such intense pressure is, yes, ten years of cutbacks across health services, but weve had these savage cuts to social care budgets. A huge blaze breaks out in a factory in delhi