BJIFF exclusive: Bollywood's 'King' Khan's first interview in China

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Gifts, flowers and countless kisses… that's how India's biggest Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) was greeted at Beijing International Airport on Wednesday by his Chinese fans, many of whom had traveled over 2,500 kilometers from northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Regions to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrity.

Khan, who's also known as "King Khan" of Bollywood, is visiting China to participate in the 9th Beijing International Film Festival. Speaking exclusively with CGTN just hours after his arrival, the actor said that he wasn't expecting such a warm welcome and thought that the people were cheering for someone else.

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan in an interview with CGTN. /CGTN Photo

"When I walked out, suddenly they screamed... and for a moment I thought they were doing it for something else or someone else… now I have gotten to know that they were from Xinjiang,” he said.

Thank you everyone from Xinjiang for much love, so many hugs and so many kisses.

- 'King' Khan

SRK on 'Zero' at BJIFF 2019

Khan's film "Zero," which was released in India last year, will close the festival. The film, though praised for its visual effects, did not perform well at the domestic box office.

"Unfortunately 'Zero' itself wasn't received too well back home in India, maybe I made the wrong film, maybe I did not do the right storytelling so I am a little wary how it will be received here and I hope people here will like it," Khan told CGTN.

A poster for "Zero." /Photo via Douban.com

As someone who's ruled the box office in India for almost 30 years, Khan said that success and failure are part and parcel of his job and his biggest regret is when he can't make his admirers happy with his work.

I am going to see the film after three months, so for me, it's very significant, let me just go see, maybe I will be able to figure out… what went wrong," he said, calling the film "quite a labor of love. '

- 'King' Khan

SRK on China-India superhero flick

A poster for Chinese sci-fi blockbuster "The Wandering Earth." /Photo via Douban.com

The "blockbuster Khan," who will be meeting Chinese producers and actors at the China-India Co-production Dialogue Forum on April 18, also talked about his dream of making an international standard superhero film. "Maybe we could do a film about Indian and Chinese superheroes… it will be really nice."

Asked about China's sci-fi epic "The Wandering Earth," he said, "I have heard a lot about it, and I am really looking forward to seeing this Chinese film, I will see it tonight."

Nobody sets out to make a bad story, the form and the way the product looks is very important; if any of our countries, China or India wants to step into the international arena.

- 'King' Khan

SRK in a Chinese movie?

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan during his CGTN interview. /CGTN Photo

Khan also expressed his interest in acting in a Chinese movie if he manages to learn Mandarin quickly. "I would not like someone to dub from me, will rather play a quiet guy who only sings and dances," he said, adding that he grew up watching Chinese kung fu movies and it would be great if he could be a part of Chinese production in some way.

Calling movies a bridge between the peoples of the two countries, Khan said that China and India both have deep-rooted cultural and family values, which offer a big boost for cinema. "Technology... exports and imports all that is going to happen but cinema is always going to be at the forefront or art is going to be at the front of people-to-people exchanges."

Culture, reading, writings, there are going to be things that are going to enhance people to people connect because the language of art is little beyond semantics and understanding and the actual grammar.

- 'King' Khan

'King' Khan's special message for Chinese fans

"Thank you so much for being so kind. I least expected this, that there would be so many people here who like me and it's very sweet of you. By God's grace I will get some wonderful films to China and when you write to me or message me please send me some good Chinese films every year, at least 10 good Chinese movies to watch. Lots and lots love," Khan said as he signed off by blowing a kiss to the camera.

Reporter: Khushboo Razdan

Cinematographers: Fu Gaoliang, Hong Yaobin

Video editor: Hong Yaobin

Cover image designed by Li Jingjie

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