Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, known for collaborating with some of the biggest stars in the Hindi film industry, recently shared his views on Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, noting that there are differences between them as individuals and as actors. In the interview, Ali said that the two actors are “completely different” and highlighted their distinct approaches to how they interact with others and tackle a scene. Imtiaz has worked with Ranbir in Tamasha and Rockstar and with Shah Rukh in Jab Harry Met Sejal.
Speaking to Mid-Day, the celebrated director said, “Totally different. Shah Rukh is very charming, intelligent and sweet. What they have in common is that they are both very interested in people and are good at connecting with them in different ways. Shah Rukh has the confidence to approach people and talk to them. Ranbir comes across as more reserved. So, he doesn’t approach people himself. He waits for them to talk to him. But he is just as interested as Shah Rukh is.”
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He further added, “As actors, they are completely different. Ranbir lets himself go. A lot of the time, he is not conscious of reality while shooting. He is in the zone. He forgets the world, he forgets the process of shooting. But that is not the case with Shah Rukh. Shah Rukh is also very conscious. He too comes from a theatre background. He has much more knowledge about acting. Ranbir is very instinctive but also very knowledgeable and very passionate. He knows the script inside out. It is amazing how he reads a script from cover to cover once every two-three days. He does this even in the little time he has to sleep.”
In the same interview, Imtiaz Ali expressed his frustration with the perception that he was a “prideful” director, which motivated him to make Jab Harry Met Sejal. He admitted that he did not fully anticipate the impact Shah Rukh Khan’s massive stardom would have on the film’s reviews, and said that in hindsight he might have approached the project differently.