Questions have been raised over the popularity and the marketability of Shah Rukh Khan following the box office debacle of Jab Harry Met Sejal. The Imtiaz Ali directed film could barely earn Rs57.71 crore nett and crashed within a week.
Khan hasn’t produced a hit since Happy New year (2014). The actor’s next film is with Aanand L Rai, where he will be seen playing a dwarf.
Despite the poor form, Rai reckons that box-office collections are the last thing on Khan’s mind. “We are aware that his films haven't worked. It's there in front of us, we can't deny that. Box-office collections don't affect him as much. Bank account deposits is the last thing on his mind. What affects him is that he might be losing the love of people,” Khan told Mid-day.com.
Rai is confident that his film will end SRK’s poor run.
“With our film, I know I will rectify his relationship with the audience. I can sense what people are seeking. I will be honest to my craft and will work hard for my audience. I won't let the reactions to his last films cloud my head right now. I am here to deliver and I will do a damn good job of it. Right now, we are having fun at work and I won't let anything change that,” added Rai.
After Happy New Year, Shah Rukh Khan has collobaoretd with directors that he never worked with before. It all started with Maneesh Sharma’s Fan (2016), followed by Rahul Dholakia’s Raees (2017) and then Imtiaz Ali’s Jab Harry Met Sejal. All the three films failed to live up to box office expectations
The untitled Rai project is slated to release during Christmas next year.