If an SRK film does not perform well, it’s only the director’s fault: Siddharth Anand

Siddharth Anand was under a lot of pressure before the film’s release, but it was not just about delivering a hit but also about not disappointing King Khan’s fans. Anand talks about earning a film with SRK after years and finally being able to deliver what was expected of him as well as Khan’s fans. Read on.

How pressurising was it to bring together SRK and John for a film and not disappoint the audiences?

Siddharth Anand: This combination of SRK and John is very promising and the action sequences had to be such that the audiences could go to theatres to rewatch it. It had to be entertaining. And thankfully, countless people went to watch the film 4-5 times in a day. It does not happen very often with action films. To achieve that, it was important to script the action scenes as well and we worked really hard to do that over a period of 2 years. I feel action without emotions is very boring but both the actors did a lot of work to achieve what we wanted to.

Was it also difficult to bring SRK on board?

Siddharth Anand: I had the title ‘Pathaan’ in mind for many years and I was looking for a good story for which we could bring SRK on board. And when I finally found it, I went to SRK with a story. Like every filmmaker, it was my wish to work with him. I feel every one has to earn a film with Shah Rukh and I covered a whole journey before that happened.

And what was the experience like?

Siddharth Anand: Before this, I did several films but I never stressed about it. But with Pathaan, 2 months before the film, I realised that directing SRK is a responsibility. He is like clay. He would do everything that you ask without losing trust in you. I realized that by any chance, if an SRK film does not perform well, it’s only the director’s fault. I realise the responsibility of an SRK film because of his fan club. They love him so much that you can’t disappoint them. But now that the audience has given us so much love, I feel so relieved.

As Pathaan is a hit now, what’s next?

Siddharth Anand: Well, Pathaan is such a huge hit. So after its success, what else can we expect? Hopefully Pathaan 2 will happen.