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Renowned filmmaker Aanand L Rai recently opened up about his experiences working with Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar, sharing insights into their personalities and quirks. During a conversation with casting director Mukesh Chhabra for Mashable India, the Zero director revealed Shah Rukh Khan’s simple yet enduring love for tandoori chicken and coffee, while praising Akshay Kumar’s zest for adding "masala" to both his life and work.
Aanand L Rai, who directed Shah Rukh Khan in the 2018 film Zero, recalled the actor’s preferred meals during their three-year collaboration. “If you give Shah Rukh tandoori chicken, coffee, and one of his beverages, he could live on that meal forever. But if something is served with love, he’ll eat anything,” the director shared. The revelation came as Aanand was shown a picture of himself with Shah Rukh from the Zero set, where the two weren’t discussing a scene, as it seemed, but instead, were deciding what to have for dinner.
Shifting focus to Akshay Kumar, with whom Aanand worked on Raksha Bandhan (2022), the filmmaker described the actor as someone who loves to keep things exciting. “Akshay doesn’t understand things if they’re too simple and straight; he likes everything with a little ‘masala.’ He has a child-like quality and enjoys every moment of life and work,” said Aanand. He also commended Akshay’s work ethic, calling him "hard-working" and "focused," while highlighting the actor’s grounded nature despite his stardom. "No matter how big a star he is, he never forgets his values."
Although their films Zero, Atrangi Re, and Raksha Bandhan didn’t fare well at the box office, Aanand’s respect for both actors remain unwavering. After the box office failure of Zero, which also starred Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif, Shah Rukh took a four-year sabbatical from films. Meanwhile, Akshay continues to work on multiple projects, keeping his signature enthusiasm alive.
Aanand L Rai’s candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into the personalities of two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, showcasing their unique approaches to both life and cinema.
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