The rumour that My Name is Khan would have its world premiere at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace first popped up on the wires in early February. None of us thought it credible until an invitation to interview its top stars and director was sent to the editor of our sister title, Time Out Abu Dhabi. The magazine’s readers were then given the opportunity to pose questions to Shah Rukh Khan via its website. Unsurprisingly, there were many. Here is a selection from the interview.

At home are you like a normal father? Do you shout at your kids if they get low marks?
Disha Dadlani
I am a very normal father, but I’m a normal father who is a little guilty that he doesn’t spend enough time with the kids, so when I do, I pamper them. But I’m very strict with studies because I truly believe that there is nothing better than education, so I teach them. I never shout at anyone. Once in a year I get angry, so I try not to do it with the kids. What sets me off? Some small thing usually, but it’s all pent up there. About six or seven years ago I stopped getting angry because I think it’s not worth it, and you feel bad, and you want to say sorry, and you spend too much time socialising... I like to be alone and reclusive, and I feel worse. So I don’t get angry.

How do you cope with the challenges that you face as a superstar or a film actor in general?
Rekha Dayalal
You see, I’ve never thought of myself as a superstar. I keep it very simple and basic. I wake up in the morning and the only odd thing that I do is that I’m 44, I’m a man, and I wear makeup to work. That’s the only odd thing that I do. Otherwise, it’s very simple and strangely straightforward. I have no issues as a star. I don’t have issues at restaurants because I don’t go to restaurants. Whenever someone says, ‘Don’t you like the simple things in life, like walking on the beach?’ I say, ‘No. If I want a beach I’ll buy one.’ It’s as simple as that.

You have attempted to converge the sensibilities of varied regions into a film that will be of international appeal. Was this the aim of My Name is Khan?
Deepa Rajan
You see, I’m not really responsible for this because it’s Karan’s story, and Shibani Bathija’s. They worked really hard on it. I think the story deals with issues that are universal, because it’s about humanity. It was never something intended for any one person. Obviously, whatever film we make in India we are always hoping that our films are liked internationally. That aspect is there for every film we do. But I don’t think this subject has been chosen with that in mind. The subject was chosen for its inherent quality of what we want to say in this film.

Now that you’ve achieved your status as King Khan, where do you see yourself going next?
Aparna Chadha
I’ve worked for 20 years now, I think, and everybody asks me, ‘Have you achieved all that you wanted to?’ Of course, if you ask that differently, it’s, ‘What else do you want to do to achieve what you want?’ Success is very subjective. If I was to count my success, I was successful on the day I landed in Mumbai and could afford to rent a house. I was homeless, parentless, jobless. I got married and looked after my sister. I rented a house after marriage and I could pay for it. It means I was successful. I’d started life. So, it’s always already achieved. I have a good family now and if I look back [I’ve been successful] many times over.
My Name is Khan is out now.