It's official: Shah Rukh Khan is playing the lead role in Anand L Rai's next film

Anand L Rai has not worked with any Bollywood biggies in past, but now when he has superstar Shah Rukh Khan on board for his next project, the filmmaker is thrilled and all geared up for it. The 44-year-old director, who is riding high on the success of his two consecutive films- Raanjhanaa and Tanu Weds Manu: Returns, was all praise for SRK. [caption id=“attachment_2689894” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Anand L Rai and Shah Rukh Khan. Images from IBN Live.[/caption] “He is a gutsy actor. He always takes challenges. It is a delight to have him in the film. We both have liking for each other. We want to work together and we are on that process. Shah Rukh is a very intelligent man. He makes you feel so important and responsible so it is fun to work with him. He was very happy to hear the story,” Rai told PTI. The 50-year-old Dilwale star will be seen essaying the role of a dwarf in the interesting love story and the director is planning to serve a decent dose of songs in the film. “It (story) sounds it is just about dwarf but it is much more than that. It is a much taller film. It is a very entertaining and interesting love story. I will be fool if I have Shah Rukh Khan in my film and have no romance and songs,” he said. The filmmaker is yet to finalise the lead actress for the movie. Apart from direction, Rai is excited about his upcoming projects as a producer. “We have Nil Battey Sannata with Swara Bhaskar, Happy Bhaag Jayegi starring Abhay Deol and Diana Penty and Manmarziyan with Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar. All three are interesting films and I am excited about it. This is the kind of cinema I want to be involved with as a producer. I am enjoying the process,” he added. PTI