Ra.One Is Not A Sci-Fi Film: Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who dons the superhero suit for the first time in his upcoming film Ra.One, feels that Indian films need to move to the next level technologically to woo young audience.

"Ra.One is not a science fiction film though it is based on computers, which have become integral part of our lives. It's a regular superhero film, which should be a family entertainer," Shah Rukh said.

He said that talent wise, dance, songs etc Indian cinema was way ahead, but there was dearth on technological front.

"Indian films need to move to the next level. Dancing, acting, story all is fine, but technology wise we need to move to next level so that we don't lose young audience," he said.

Shah Rukh said technology forms an integral part of Ra.One, which the actor is hoping will set a benchmark in Hindi cinema in terms of technical finesse.

The 45-year-old was here to launch the theatrical promo of Ra.One here, which also stars Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor and is directed by Anubhav Sinha.

Ra.One, he said, is a story of a father and son, and the reason he chose the title was because of it being mythologically popular (Ravan).

"In this film too, it's fight between the evil and the good. I play Jeevan, protector and giver, the superhero, who is a positive character," he said.

Ra.One title was picked up because people tend to get excited about by bad guy, said Shah Rukh, adding filmmakers Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar had thought that Jeevan should have been the film's title.

"All of us will be intrigued who Ra.One is...this film is about making the right choices. People, especially children, need to be careful what they wish for. It is about how children should not make bad choices," he said.

"This film is about human story, a father, son and wife. It's a superhero versus super villian film," he said, adding in computer language parlance, Ra.One is Randam Acess Version One.

On whether Indian audience will like this film, he said, "20 years ago I did not know if they were ready for me... It's a regular film, a superhero film with international level of technology used".

Although the film is still in the making, the actor is already thinking of making a sequel.

"Inshallah (god willing), I would like to make a sequel," he said.

This month, Shah Rukh's technical team will be headed for Los Angeles to get special sound effects done for the film, which will have never been used earlier in any Indian film.

Shah Rukh praised Senegalese-American singer Akon, aying he was "very talented, very fast and kicked about" the film.

When asked about yesteryears star Raj Kiran of Karz fame was found in a asylum in the US, Shah Rukh said he was "shocked and saddened" to learn this.

"I am learning this from you (media). I have grown up watching him. I am shocked to know about his condition," he said, adding he would join the Bollywood fraternity to do whatever he can under the circumstances for Raj Kiran.

Source: http://movies.ndtv.com/KIFA-Special/StoryPrint.aspx?ID=ENTEN20110176883