They say - Zero is a complete number. And yet, one witnesses the lead characters of Aanand L Rai's romantic - drama as being incomplete in their own way. Be it physically, emotionally or mentally; each integral character is fighting his / her own battle. That is exactly what sets the tone for Rai's Zero, which unfolds as a simple yet beautiful tale. Oh, and there is a lot more to the film than just a lead protagonist shown as a dwarf. Wanna know more about Khan's much anticipated Christmas release, without any spoilers (of course)? Read on:

Bauua Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) is not your average hero. For someone who dreams of knocking off villains as a countryside brave heart,  Singh is actually a blunt, cocky, selfie obsessed man, who won't think twice before showering his friends with bundles of cash. His only weakness? Superstar Babita Kumari (Katrina Kaif), who he aspires to marry. Singh's biggest personal dilemma happens to be his height, as at 4'2, the man is a dwarf. However, that doesn't stop him from being his 'filmy' self. So much, that he even has a Dhoom 3 inspired outfit reserved, just to watch Babita on the big screen. His antics are often supported by a best friend (Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub), who never leaves an opportunity to deliver latest updates from Babita's life, published in various magazines and newspapers, directly to Singh.  Meanwhile, it is revealed that Singh secretly met a renowned Space Centre scientist - Aafia (Anushka Sharma) via a matrimonial site, and the two went on to become more than just friends. Enter Babita, who unexpectedly meets Singh, just a night before the most important day in his life. What follows is a tale of twisted emotions in Aafia's life, unravelling the dark side of love in Babita's life, and of course, Baaua's quest - jo zindagi katna nahi, jeena chahta tha.

Bauua Singh is not your average hero. He dreams of knocking off villains as a countryside brave heart

Rai is known to tell stories that are deep rooted in the heartland of India. Tales that explore the real, raw and vulnerable sides of his characters. Be it Raanjhanaa's Kundan or Manu from Tanu Weds Manu; they are often flawed. The lead protagonists in Zero are no different, except maybe Sharma's Aafia. But, these very flaws and challenges help Bauua, Aafia and Babita discover themselves in a whole new perspective, during different stages of the film. It won't be fair to reveal the main plot (and we never deal with spoilers), but a Standard 10 pass Bauaa achieves a feat that he wouldn't have ever dreamt of. Hence, these challenges become their biggest strength, and in a way, a strong highlight of the film.

Flaws and challenges help Bauua, Aafia and Babita discover themselves in a whole new perspective, during different stages of the film

Music composer duo Ajay-Atul deliver yet another winner, with songs that add a special touch to the narrative. The tracks fit well, and have been wonderfully composed. Especially Mere Naam Tu, which is hands down of the best romantic numbers, both sung and shot in recent times. Then there is Heer Badnaam (composed by Tanishk Bagchi), and a soothing slow number that appears right before the climax. The background score is perfect. Without being too over dramatic, it's the perfect addition to the moments that unfold. Manu Anand's cinematography is decent. One feels the editing could have been a bit tight and crisp in the second half. Especially towards the last 15-20 minutes, where the film felt a little over-stretched. Himanshu Sharma's writing scores full points in the first half, and even during the initial part post interval. However, one feels like the strings loosen up towards the end, where the plot starts feeling a bit too ho-hum. The ensemble cast comprising of Bauaa's parents (Tigmanshu Dhulia and Sheeba Chaddha) and his best friend (Ayyub) perform well.  Be prepared for some starry cameos too, with the likes of Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone, Kajol among others making a splash. Though, the special has got to be Late Sridevi's final glimpse, looking stunning ever.

Music composer duo Ajay-Atul deliver yet another winner, with songs that add a special touch to the narrative

However, the film primarily focuses on the journey of three integral characters - Aafia, Babita and Bauua. Katrina's swag as the unabashed diva Babita Kumari is simply incredible. If there is anyone who gets maximum cheers after Khan's entry, it is Katrina. Popular actress with million fans, yet a doomed diva with a broken heart; Katrina does a fine job of bringing out Babita's inner turmoil. Absolutely loved her glamorous on-screen presence. But, it's the emotional scenes, that showcase Babita's vulnerability, where Katrina nails the expression and how! Wish she could have got some more screen time, though. As the genius scientist Aafia, Anushka delivers one of her finest performances in recent times. She puts together a perfectly nuanced, controlled act; keeping in mind the limitations she has due to the character's disability (cerebral palsy). It ain't a simple task to express yourself with limited movements in a film, where the co-star's character is unapologetically rude and yet, fun loving. Anushka does complete justice to her character. As an actress, she has never failed to deliver in the past, and has always given her 100% to every role. Aafia is no different, as she creates an impact with a fantastic performance.

Katrina's swag as the unabashed diva Babita Kumari is simply incredible, while Anushka delivers one of her finest performances in recent times

However, Zero's biggest heroes are those who literally carry the film on their able shoulders with élan. The first? Of course, Shah Rukh Khan. He is the heart and soul of Rai's vision, which takes Bauua from Meerut to United States of America, despite all the hurdles and flaws that the character overcomes. It's impossible to doubt Khan's performance in any film, as he never leaves a stone unturned to give his finest best to every character. With Zero, he takes things a notch above with an all new avatar. And yet again, he triumphs. Don't just go by that height, mind you. It's a mix of his brash behaviour, witty dialogues, impeccable style, charm and craziness; and it all comes together to win your heart. He excels in some fine emotional moments, leaving you a teeny bit teary eyed too. Khan steals the show and owns the film, leaving you with a smile, and moments that define the film. The film belongs to SRK in every sense, and he delivers a flawless performance. The second hero of this film has got to be the team behind it's VFX. A lot of effort and hard work has gone behind putting together this film, especially post shoot. The film, especially it's lead protagonist, relies heavily on VFX for his physicality. Every minute detail has been perfectly crafted, especially Khan's structure, facial expressions and his movements. Kudos to the VFX team at Red Chillies for a fantastic job.

The film belongs to SRK in every sense, and he delivers a flawless performance

Rai's style of film making makes the first half a breezy ride. Packed with impeccable humour, some wonderful romantic moments, and emotional scenes, the first half truly wins your heart, especially with its good writing and some really well penned dialogues. We wish the second half could be a bit tighter and perhaps, shorter by a few minutes. Nevertheless, it's the overall experience that overshadows the drawbacks. Khan, Anushka and Katrina - the trio's fantastic act, state of the art VFX, melodious music and wholesome (yet emotional) entertainment makes this a good watch at the cinemas with your family and / or loved ones. Bauua toh chaa gaya, bhai!!

Verdict: Watch it for SRK, and the two leading ladies, who steal the show with their performance. This one's got all the elements of a romantic-drama, with some 'unique' VFX twist that makes it worth a watch!
⭐⭐⭐1/2

As an artist, how did you deal with the shift in psyche, especially while being in and out of a character that has physical limitations, and a completely different personality?

Like I mentioned, my portions were shot while I standing inside a one and a half feet deep pit. There were also boxes, which would move wherever I went. So personally, I never felt short, except while standing next to Anushka or Katrina (laughs). On a serious note, Anushka's character even has a line - 'Relationship barabari ka hoga', which is even a part of the trailer. Because technically, we are the same height in the film, as she is seated on her digitally controlled chair. I never felt any difference, except for a small fact that it was like walking two steps below. 

What about the sets, costumes and props? How did you work around those, considering you could actually see the final look post structural changes?

I'll tell you what was difficult. A lot of times, we would shoot a scene, and after 3-4 months while watching the structure change, we think it looks really good. Sometimes, it would look worse, because when he becomes small, everything feels different. In fact, some scenes even had to be re-shot. If I did something with my own style, it looked wrong on a shorter person. It's a little difficult to describe, but if you notice the romantic track (Mere Naam Tu), his movements are a little child like. Like chest thumps and jumps. He can't do tight moves, so even the choreography had to be a little loose. It was during the look test that I did around 2 and a half years back, that I noticed, something just wasn't right. Even the props were bigger for me. For instance, if it's an iPhone 8 for everyone, then that's X for me. If you read a normal book, mine is a bit bigger. Shirt - trouser fittings had to be kept in mind. We also wanted him to have a slight paunch, which isn't too prominent, but at the same time, he should look attractive. So, those elements had to be kept in mind.

We had to buy a machine called Techno Dolly, and have it sent from overseas. It's actually used for shots in Games of Thrones as well

Tell us a little about the inclusion of aeronautics in the film. Were portions of the film shot in NASA?

Well, there is no mention of NASA as such. We have built our own space research centre. Personalisation was necessary, as NASA only allows one film to use their name per year, and they already had 'First Man'. So, we become the second one. However, we did shoot some scenes there, and we had requested if another name can be used. Especially because we have taken certain cinematic liberties in the film. So, the permissions were necessary.  

We are making the biggest and largest number of films in a year. We assume that we are the best film makers in the world

What are your thoughts of the use of VFX in Hindi films. Do you think it needs a better push in the Indian film industry, with the kind of genres we are experimenting with today?

VFX has to be much more prominent in Hindi films, for cinema to have better story telling. We are making the biggest and largest number of films in a year. We assume that we are the best film makers in the world. But, I think the new influx of audience that will come in the future, that is kids who are now 7-8 years old, they will not be very forgiving about the cinematic sound and visual experience. They are used to watching the latest films and songs in full HD on phones or computers. Some beautiful films with a great overall visual experience have released recently, and have been accepted by the audience. It is only a matter of time that the numbers will increase. These children will grow up watching such films, even in small towns, thanks to the growing connectivity we have today. In the future, they won't accept excuses like, "Arey, Hindi film main kuch bhi chalta hai." That excuse is fine for us, and mine would be the last generation, who would see a tacky film and say - But still, this is the first for India (laughs). 

Go on....

In fact, you are still younger. I was telling someone, how it was 15 years ago that I first went to a multiplex. But, now I am used to that recliner chair, big screens, and flavoured popcorns. But when I was growing up, cinema halls were very rundown, at least most of them. Now, since I am used to the multiplex experience, if you take me back to the old hall, I might not be comfortable. Even if it's another country, I would be like - Arey, yeh kahan aa gaye. Mujhe picture nahi dekhni. So, kids are already used to that world. And when I speak of VFX, it's not just films like Baahubali. There is so much more to VFX than that. It can be used even for the smallest of films, like Zodiac in Hollywood, which is made over a period of 15-20 days. A lot of VFX is used for simple details - like speed, cars, camera movements, and it can't be pinpointed specifically. So, I feel film makers should come forward and make use of this technology to enhance the overall movie experience.

Film makers should come forward and make use of technology to enhance the overall movie experience

When it comes to the use of technology, you and team Red Chillies VFX have always taken things a notch above. But, technology often comes with its own set of challenges. What were some of the hurdles that you came across during the making of this film, and how did you over come it?

While shooting for the track with Salman (Khan), and there are a few scenes as well, where we could not get the moving shots right. The film became very static, as you had to shoot five times - background, actors, crowd among others. So, the layering became difficult. Eventually, we had to buy a machine called Techno Dolly, and have it sent from USA. It's actually used for shots in Games of Thrones as well. But, buying a machine wasn't enough, and so, we had to get a person who could perfectly manage the equipment. So now, they have their own technique of working and understanding, and we haven't worked on that machine before. Hence, the director had to learn how to work on that machine, which by the way, it quite big. Just the other day, we were shooting for some additional scenes for the last bit of the film, and there was a fire. While the fire could be controlled well in time, as it wasn't that big, but the water used to douse the fire went into the machine. So, the whole thing stopped working. Of course, we could shoot in static, but everyone was obviously worried. Also, it was sad, because we bought this expensive machine, perhaps a first in the country. Luckily for us, after keeping it in a silica tank or something, the machine was up and working within two days. So yes, technology does bring along some hitches. Sometimes, you do make mistakes. Of course, there were some good parts too. 

And what about the song with Salman Khan?

So, while shooting with Salman, I had to jump in his arms. We thought he will have to be hooked on something. He was standing at quite a height, and I had to take a jump. Obviously, when I jump, that will have a lot of force. So, we wanted him to be put on to a wire. But, he is so strong, that he didn't move. That solved a lot of problems (smiles). Because if had fallen or moved in a stranger manner, we couldn't have pulled off that shot. Certain shots may start looking a bit weird if not executed properly. Then, in some shots I have to jump into a rickshaw, or even Zeeshan's lap. So, somebody discovered that if a string is put up, I can jump across and reach (laughs). These little things were experimented with. Some look real, some unreal. Certain romantic scenes had to look a certain way. Now, when Katrina bends down to kiss me, she can't touch me too much. That's because my face gets covered and it cannot structured later. So, angles had to be set. Beyond that, we couldn't judge or look at what we have shot. Usually, we are used to seeing our shots on the monitor. It was a lot of hit and trial. That's why, we took a lot of time to shoot this film with complete perfection.

You know, when films bomb at the box office, then it's the best way to call them 'ahead of its time'. That's the best excuse (laughs)

We hope you enjoyed our candid conversation with Shah Rukh Khan!

Read Part I of the Conversation here
Are you excited to watch Zero tomorrow? Share your excitement in the comment below or Join the conversation on
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Love,
The Dancebee

After a year long wait (or perhaps, more), he is back with an all new release. After generating maximum curiosity with teasers, posters and BTS shots all year round, Shah Rukh Khan is ready with the much anticipated Christmas release of 2018 - Zero. What clearly looks like India's very own VFX marvel to watch out for, Zero will have Khan collaborating with film maker Aanand L Rai (known for his romantic-dramas set in the heartland of India), for the very first time. While the actor is known to experiment with his avatar in every film, be it Ra. One, Chak De India or Fan, it would be for the first time that he will seen as a dwarf on the big screen. And no, this ain't your regular fare, where a body double or fake tricks are used. Zero is said to be a state of the art VFX film, and Khan's team at Red Chillies VFX promises to leave no stone unturned to turn it into a memorable experience for the cine goers.



On a breezy December evening, while trying to catch up with the peak hour Mumbai traffic, we were invited for a conversation with Khan at a suburban studio. It was a tough week for the actor, what with back to back events, a big fat Indian wedding, and promotions for the film in Dubai. Dressed looking his dapper best, complete with a grey jacket to beat the breeze, Khan walked out of his swanky vanity van and rushed in to greet us. Despite the tough schedule, he looked happy (and handsome as ever) and welcomed us with a smile. What followed was an uninterrupted, long conversation on all things cinema, life, VFX, and of course - being Bauua Singh for Zero. As he continued to sip on hot coffee from his tumbler, we got ready to shoot our questions! And of course, the actor was all ears, as he sat down for a chat, while flashing those legendary dimples. Here's our much awaited interview, an uncut conversation series, presented in two parts. Presenting Part I of our conversation with Shah Rukh Khan:



What went into the conceptualisation of your character - Bauua Singh? What were the key personality traits kept in mind, before the character was actually given shape? 
It's not really experimental, but just a physical difference in a character. As much as growing a moustache, but the technology to create this and the process took very long. Also, the film's basis being that all of us spend most of our time wishing that we could be happier. I wish I had this, or could do that. And, we have so many people around us telling us how we should be. But, we don't realise that each one of us are unique. Nobody is perfect, except I joke - Katrina Kaif (laughs). Jokes apart, we can agree that no individual is perfect, either mentally, emotionally or physically. I think we should accept that fact, so that we don't waste time trying to be someone else, while time passes away. Because I believe that life is too short. You just need to believe in yourself - this is who I am, and this is the best I can be. Look at things, that you otherwise consider as flaws, like your uniqueness. Agar main height main chota hoon, toh woh ek advantage hai. If you are someone who cribs - main lamba nahi hoon, gora nahi hoon, patla nahi hoon, ya mere maa baap vapas nahi aa sakte hain; Just tell yourself - let me enjoy this one life that God has given us. To be able to create that vibe in Zero, we needed some incompleteness in our film. So, we added three - there is a physically challenged person, there is a neurologically challenged person, and then, you have the most beautiful woman, who is emotionally challenged. If we accept our flaws and limitations, we can grow as a human being.

Bauua Singh is clearly portrayed in a natural manner, without the unnecessary dose of emotions or sympathy. Was that intentional and integral as well for the film?
That's precisely why we chose to have Bauua's physicality a certain way. It could have been any of the three characters, but this was integral to the story. In fact, we were worried that this should not become the main stay of the film. Thankfully, from whatever I have seen so far, I feel that you overcome that right after 10-15 minutes. We definitely didn't want his height to be a gimmick. Aanand [director] hasn't shot any sequence where people go 'Arey dekho, chota height wala ghoda chala raha hain.' Even if he is doing that, then it's normal. The idea was to ensure that his character is acceptable. Secondly, when you have characters with special ability, a lot of emotions shift towards sympathy. Hence, we have ensured that the characters don't appear like they are in need of sympathy. It shouldn't be like 'Arey Bechara' or 'Bechari'. Whether it's from their friends, family, those around them or even the audience. We wanted to bring about an equality, and not bank on sympathy. And, I don't think any human being looks for it either. Yes, we look for love, friendship and happiness. But, definitely not sympathy.

No individual is perfect, either mentally, emotionally or physically. I think we should accept that fact, so that we don't waste time trying to be someone else

Considering this was the first time you are essaying the role of a dwarf, did the character come with its own set of challenges for you as an actor?
No, I think VFX made things very easy for me. So, during the first 7-8 days, the process took us much longer than we thought, and then we realised. We took 200 days to make the film, and that was followed by a lot of work on post production. Beyond that, I don't think so. Zero is a very cosy and emotional film. By solely highlighting that this is a VFX film, we didn't want to lose out on the small joys, relationships and elements that make it different. So, the VFX team told us - "Behave the way you are. We will manage the rest." So, I had to be careful of minute things. Like, I can't walk with a longer slide. If I climb stairs, it has to be a ramp, so that my steps looks smaller. Some touch ups during dance. Otherwise, I was more or else asked to behave normally. While shooting, I used to actually stand in a pit most of the times. So, rest of the cast could see me from a certain angle.

Was there any real person who inspired or helped you understand the nuances required to essay Bauua Singh, especially the movements as a dwarf?
Yes! Ashish, who is an actor from Delhi, helped with everything behind the scenes. The idea was not to use a body double, so we didn't want to duplicate. But, Ashish has worked really hard. He would enact every scene before we did the final shot, so that the character has the right perspective. That was a technical requirement. He was extremely helpful and sweet.

For me, the journey is important. I don't focus on the finish line, but look at it from the perspective of a milestone

Zero is considered to a complete number, yet incomplete. What's your perspective towards the number like, and how do you co-relate it to the film? Also, do you perceive yourself as a complete artist?
Zero is a perspective. It is nothing, and yet complete. That's the whole film. Sab nazariye ki baat hain. I'll tell you what, I have never felt complete. As an artist, I still feel incomplete, and if I am not, then I would not like to work. Why else would I wake up in the morning and strive to work harder than I did a day before? I am always thinking whether I can bring in something new within the commercial cinema set up that I work in - be it as an actor, producer or whichever capacity it maybe. So, I am extremely restless. I believe that if you think you are complete, then you are boring. I don't look at things in order to complete them. For me, the journey is important. I don't focus on the finish line, but look at it from the perspective of a milestone. I never plan things, nor do I have set ideas - this is how much I should earn, the number of awards I should win, or how many hit films I should have make. It's all very organic, because once you work in the industry as long as I have, specifics become less important. You can't pinpoint and say, "Picture aisi banao, toh aisi chalegi. Friday ko collection hoga," No matter how big an expert you are, eventually, the business is complete dependent upon the story that you are telling. So, I find myself becoming lesser expert about a film, and I think that's one reason why I am enjoying the process of working on the films that I am doing. I am just very happy, and after working in the industry for 25 years, the only reason you should continue working should be for pure happiness of your art.

You have spoken about the amount of efforts that have gone into the making of this film. Is there any amount of nervousness, especially since you are trying something unique yet again?
I think for this film, I am a little more nervous than the usual. We've been working really hard on all the aspects related to the film since so many months now. Through the process, you get so tired, that you really have no feeling left. You just hope that what you have made is liked and accepted by the audience. And, you never know. Sometimes, people end up liking films that you don't think are that great, and then, some don't like what you think is good. I have worked for so many years, but I can't analyse how a film should be. I guess those who spend money on it are the ones who can analyse it best - the audience. So, I just let things be. Ab jaisi hai, vaisi hai. Uska kuch kar nahi sakte (smiles).

Stay tuned for Part II of our candid conversation with Shah Rukh Khan!

Are you excited to watch Zero tomorrow? Share your excitement in the comment below or Join the conversation on
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Love,
The Dancebee

I had to get everyone on the set together and say, Listen guys, I am not like that. You can say anything you want, but I am not so serious

I think it is very important to be a director’s actor. Otherwise, you will be working in a different world and the director will be making a different world

I think the recognition, acceptance and belief in visual effects and special effects in the Indian film industry is extremely necessary for us to go international.