His "Om Shanti Om" is pitted against "Saawariya",
which has Sony Pictures splurging big money on its publicity. But Shah
Rukh Khan says no amount of money can surpass the goodwill he has created.
"After this film people will love me. And nobody is going to use
the money to oust the goodness that I have created," Shah Rukh
told IANS in a chat.
"The filmmaking business is already an expensive thing but then
there is a market that is getting you that money back. I don't think
you need to spend money to make money. Having said that, yes, outside
players like Sony Pictures and Columbia Tristar are hugely moneyed,"
Shah Rukh added.
While "Om Shanti Om" has been produced under Shah Rukh's
own banner, Red Chillies Entertainment, "Saawariya" has Hollywood
studio Sony Pictures as co-producer. Both are releasing Nov 9.
But Shah Rukh is all ready for the competition.
"You have to compete. And by god's grace after this film, I will
have enough money to compete with them on money terms also."
He candidly described his much talked about six-pack abs in the eagerly
awaited "Om Shanti Om" as a marketing trick.
"The film is meant to be more celebrative and fun... I will not
put it beyond the fact that it is a part of marketing to attract attention
but it is also an inherent part of the story. It has a character that
requires that kind of physique."
But the superstar believes that more than marketing and stars it is
content that dictates the success of a film.
"There is no denying that content is king. If you have good content
in a film and you present it in whatever manner... whether it is 'Chak
De! India', 'Om Shanti Om', 'Don' or 'Swades', I think at the end of
it all, people only like good content," said Shah Rukh, who was
in the capital for the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.
"There is nothing beyond content - no stars, no marketing."
Director Farah Khan has roped in 31 stars, including Jeetendra and
Rekha, for a special song in "Om Shanti Om".
"The film required a sequence with film actors because the film
is about filmmaking. It makes it look more authentic. On the lighter
side, it is very helpful if people like to come and see some items and
stuff."
The actor has plans to build his own studio. However, he will have
to wait. "There is no place and nobody gives me the land! (Smiled)"