Shah Rukh Khan starrer Ra.One director Anubhav Sinha calls ‘middle-class’: ‘He has all the money in the world but…’

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha known for making hard-hitting and powerful cinemas like Mulk, Article 15 and Thappad, recalled that his big ambitious project Ra.One featuring Shah Rukh Khan made him went through a rough phase as the film didn’t perform as per expectations.

The Bheed helmer revealed that this setback almost made him quit direction. “It didn’t turn out the way all of us wanted to do. It was a heartbreak, which I carried in my heart, chest, and shoulders until 2018, when Mulk released. I’d almost given up on myself as a director. I’d decided I won’t direct," said Sinha while talking to Faye D’Souza.

Talking about Mulk, he said, “I wrote Mulk in the next three days. I went out in the market, money took a bit of time. And then I went there and made it. It had become impossible to not make it."

Sharing his experience of working with Shah Rukh Khan, he shared, “It is so strange that he continues to be a middle-class boy at heart. He’s so middle-class it’s not funny. See, middle-class is not just about money. The last time I met him, I told him that he’s quite middle class. And he agreed (laughs). He has all the money in the world! But what makes you happy? Does the Gucci make you happier or does the fact that your sister is happy makes you happier?"

The filmmaker shared that it was amazing to see SRK taking care of his 3 kids and sister. “That’s an achievement. It’s difficult to be the guy who’s that universally popular — let’s not even talk about the money — to be rooted and grounded. He’s a phenomenal guy. I kept telling him, more than making this film, it’s a privilege to know you," Sinha said.

Ra.One also featured Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Shahana Goswami in key roles.