 "SRK - the businessman in the entertainer")
Shah Rukh Khan epitomises romance for generations of moviegoers in India and abroad. His portrayal of the bratty Raj Malhotra in Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge and Karan Johar’s Rahul Khanna in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai had girls swooning and boys across the nation emulating him. The actor, who turned 50 on November 2, has played myriad characters in his career spanning nearly three decades; in that time, he has also learnt to don multiple hats – that of an actor, TV show host, performer and businessman.
While his tryst with film and TV acting – after his training in theatre – started in the late 1980s with television soaps, Shah Rukh Khan ventured into production only in the late 1990s. It was not easy sailing for the superstar turned producer. He, along with director Aziz Mirza and peer Juhi Chawla, started a production banner Dreamz Unlimited. The production house made three films – rom-com Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, period film Asoka and romantic drama Chalte Chalte. However, the banner was disbanded and Khan, with his wife Gauri Khan rebranded it Red Chilies Entertainment (RCE).
RCE started its innings with Farah Khan’s directorial debut – Main Hoon Na. The banner went on to produce films like Om Shanti Om, Billu, Paheli and Ra.One, among others and is looking forward to its latest release Dilwale on December 18.
In an interview with Business Standard in 2013, Khan had expressed his passion for the company. “Red Chillies is my baby. I started the company 12 years ago, with the intention of making movies that might not find backing from most producers. It is where I can channelise my creativity into production. Over time, we have had hits and misses; in fact, more misses. But it’s a venture I am proud of and intend to grow,” he had said.
RCE operates four divisions apart from film production - visual effects studio Red Chillies VFX, a studio for TV commercials Red Chillies TVC, a television programs production division called Red Chillies Idiot Box and an equipment leasing division. VFX has been a focus area for RCE and Khan. The division has a staff of close to 200 professionals who have provided VFX for films like Chennai Express and Krrish 3. Khan emphasises that he wants his employees to be creatively engaged.
“I don’t want a VFX unit that simply removes the wires from the scenes. No! I want my team to be able to put their talent to work, to create something. We have trained these people for four-five years and they deserve to be doing work that excites and satisfies their creative instincts,” says Khan.
RCE also has interests in cricket through its 50 per cent stake in the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. Being a celebrity-backed team, KKR was one of the first to break even thanks to some lucrative sponsorship deals. The wins in 2012 and 2014 helped make the team more attractive and its comparatively controversy-free run has further aided its cause. A recent report by consulting firm American Appraisal pegged the team’s brand value at $86 million.
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Khan also picked up 50 per cent stake in the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel franchise in the Caribbean Premier League in 2015. His other business interest includes Kidzania, an indoor edutainment theme park in which he owns 26 per cent stake. The first such park was launched in 2014 in Mumbai.
Whatever his business investment, Khan is sure of one thing – he is and will always be an entertainer. As he put it, “The one thing I know is that I love entertaining people. So, whatever I do, even if it is not films or sports, I shall make sure I entertain people. Kidzania is close to my heart because it has to do with kids. Similarly, if there is a business prospect through which I can entertain people, I’ll take it up.”