'Zero drained Shah Rukh Khan physically and mentally'

A still from Zero

The countdown has begun for Shah Rukh Khan's next, Zero - the trailer of the Aanand L Rai-directed venture will be launched on the superstar's 53rd birthday on November 2.

While the film is currently in the post-production stage, readying for its Christmas release, the director recently watched his labour of love that also features Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma.

Shah Rukh Khan and Aanand L Rai

Aware of the sky-high expectations surrounding the film, Rai says the drama - that sees Khan as a vertically-challenged man - showcases his leading man's acting chops as well as his perseverance.

"The film and Khan saab surprised me. When I saw it recently, I wondered how I managed it. Zero was tough for me as a director, but even more so for Khan saab. This is his toughest role. It drained him physically and mentally. He could not afford to slip even for a second."

He describes his first collaboration with Khan as one of sheer joy, given their shared love for cinema. "Khan saab is a tremendous actor. He is a dedicated artiste who made me work even harder," laughs Rai, adding that Khan always lent him a patient ear when it came to improvisations. "I discuss every detail before filming a shot."

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji to star in Rakesh Sharma's biopic - Salute?

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