Aanad L Rai Opens Up On Zero Failure: I Realised Later I Needed To Take Care Of SRK's Image

Aanand L Rai is rethinking Zero after the film underperformed and faced sharp box office rejection. Speaking after the lukewarm response to Tere Ishk Mein, the director admitted misreading what audiences expected from Shah Rukh Khan. Rai said he did not grasp how strongly Shah Rukh Khan’s on-screen image shaped viewer expectations.

Rai shared his thoughts on Zero’s failure during a chat with Galatta Plus. The film starred Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma in lead roles. While reflecting on their collaboration, Aanand L Rai said, "The problem with Zero was that the superstar came to me with so much love, but I never understood that his image had to be part of the film. I was working with an actor, a big actor, but I realised later that I needed to take care of that image."

Aanand L Rai Shah Rukh Khan Zero failure and missed use of stardom image

The director admitted that he struggled to match Shah Rukh Khan’s star aura with the scripted role. Aanand L Rai also mentioned that he couldn't achieve the blend of character and stardom on the screen. The Tanu Weds Manu filmmaker further explained, "Maybe I am unable to incorporate that stardom into my characters. I was floating; my bearings were not there."

Aanand L Rai Zero failure reflection with Shah Rukh Khan and creative journey

Rai described the Zero shoot as a joyful process that may have clouded judgement for both. The filmmaker also showered love on Shah Rukh Khan and revealed that he enjoyed filming Zero more than himself. Aanand L Rai stated, "I was enjoying the journey, and more than me, Shah Rukh was. That became scary later because one of us should have stopped and said, 'There is a star.' He never brought it up, and I never understood it. Maybe things would have been different."

Zero released in 2018 and featured Shah Rukh Khan in a challenging role that divided audiences. Despite the star-heavy cast, the film was labelled a disaster at the box office. Years later, Rai returned with Tere Ishk Mein, an intense love story starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon. The film, a spiritual sequel to Raanjhanaa, saw only a lukewarm response from viewers.

Talking about Aanand L Rai’s wider work, the director has also made Tanu Weds Manu, Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Atrangi Re. Rai’s comments on Zero show how strongly he now values the balance between star image and character. The experience appears to have shaped how Rai publicly assesses his creative choices and collaborations.