Anand L Rai Reflects on ‘Zero’ Failure and SRK’s Stardom

Filmmaker Anand L Rai has candidly addressed the shortcomings of his 2018 film Zero, acknowledging that his failure to incorporate Shah Rukh Khan’s superstar persona contributed significantly to the movie’s disappointing performance. The film, which also featured Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, marked a notable box office setback for Khan, leading to a four-year hiatus from acting.

In an interview with Galatta Plus on December 12, 2023, Rai expressed regret over not seamlessly blending Khan’s iconic image into the character. He described his approach as an “actor-director” collaboration, which lacked the understanding of the responsibility that comes with directing a figure of Khan’s stature. “The problem with Zero was that the superstar came to me with so much love, but I never understood that his image had to be part of the film,” Rai stated.

He reflected on the expectations of the audience, noting that they often desire a combination of character depth and star power, a balance he struggled to achieve. “Maybe I am unable to incorporate that stardom into my characters. I was floating; my bearings were not there,” he admitted. The film, which had a reported budget of ₹200 crore, managed to gross only around ₹180-190 crore globally, classifying it as one of Khan’s rare commercial failures.

Despite the challenges faced during production, Rai fondly recalled his collaboration with Khan. “I was enjoying the journey, and more than me, Shah Rukh was. That became scary later because one of us should have stopped and said, ‘There is a star.’ He never brought it up, and I never understood it. Maybe things would have been different,” he reflected.

The film, written by Himanshu Sharma and produced by Colour Yellow Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment, also featured actors Abhay Deol, R Madhavan, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub. The overall experience has prompted Rai to rethink his approach to storytelling, especially when working with high-profile actors who carry significant public personas.

As the film industry continues to evolve, Rai’s insights offer a valuable lesson on the intricate relationship between a star’s image and a character’s development, highlighting the challenges faced by filmmakers in balancing artistic vision with audience expectations.