Shahrukh's special interest in Priyanka

Shahrukh Khan has been taking more than a passing interest in the music for the films he produces. And Priyanka Chopra would vouch for that. If she declares from rooftops that she is Shahrukh Khan's biggest fan, then it is for a reason. The man just floors his ladies, without trying to be charming.

What he did for Priyanka Chopra in Billu Barber would certify as pure magnanimity and generosity, both as a considerate co-star and producer. Shahrukh decided to give away a large portion of his duet in Billu Barber to Priyanka. Revealed the film's music composer Pritam Chakraborty, "Shahrukh took very close interest in each one of the songs. He isn't a musician. But he has an instinctive ear for music. It takes him just a few seconds to approve or cut down a track."

With the songs meant for Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, Pritam faced no problems. "Shahrukh loved his songs with Kareena ('Marjani') and Deepika ('Love Mera Hit Hit'). They were straightforward dance songs with shared grooves between Shahrukh and the two actresses."

The Priyanka song needed special treatment. And Shahrukh made Pritam re-work and re-record the song. Divulges Pritam, "Shahrukh's song with Priyanka 'Khudaya Khair' is not an item song. It's a love ballad that the pair playing Bollywood superstars, emote to in front of the camera. Being a love song Shahrukh felt there wasn't enough of the female presence in the vocals. He made me re-record the song with more for the female vocalist (Dominique) to do since he wanted Priyanka to have an equal number of lines."

Irrfan Khan and Lara Dutta who play a rustic couple will later be seen enacting the same Shahrukh-Priyanka ballad exactly the way the village couple had seen the stars do the song.

From sharing Akshay Kumar on screen in Andaaz to sharing the same love song, the Priyanka-Lara Dutta rivalry sure has come a long way.

Laughs Pritam, "It was entirely Shahrukh's idea to give Priyanka more lines in the song. He's a very generous entertainer. If you see him on screen he never tries to steal the limelight from his heroines. Even 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala' had a lot of Priyanka in Don although it was entirely Shahrukh's song."

When told about Shahrukh's gesture, Priyanka remained silent for a while. She then sighed and said, "What do I say? Now do you know why he's my favourite?"