Mumbai, March 5 (NationPress) In a nostalgic interview with Lehren TV, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan discussed the ongoing perception of him as being arrogant.

During this conversation, the actor clarified that what is often perceived as arrogance is simply him defending his self-respect and commitment to professionalism.

Reflecting on the public's perception, Shah Rukh stated, “If people interpret self-respect as arrogance, then I fully embrace that label. The issue is that when I say this, magazines often edit out the first part and just portray me as saying, ‘Yes, I am arrogant.’ Perhaps that contributes to this image.”

Furthermore, he elaborated on his working methodology in the film industry, emphasizing his insistence on having a complete script with dialogues before he considers a project.

Shah Rukh noted that this approach, which earlier drew some criticism from filmmakers during his initial struggles, eventually transformed into a sign of his dedication and passion for his craft as he rose to prominence.

“The second aspect is that when I commit to a film, I often require extensive details. You might call it trouble or thoroughness. If someone presents me with a storyline, I insist on receiving the entire script with dialogues before proceeding. As a stage artist, I have immense faith in the script, and I believe that if you provide me with a well-defined character, I can portray it effectively.”

He added, “Do not say that you are crafting a story specifically for Shah Rukh Khan. Do not claim that you had me in mind while writing it, especially if I later decline the offer.”

He remarked, “Now that I have achieved success, people recognize that my attention to detail is why I am regarded as the industry’s dark horse. Earlier, during my struggling phase, my requests for scripts led people to question my attitude and self-importance.”

In the same interview, SRK candidly discussed establishing his own identity in the industry, despite the formidable presence of established stars like Salman Khan and Aamir Khan when he first entered.

When queried about his expectations of reaching their level of stardom, Shah Rukh replied, “I acknowledge that Mr. Salman Khan is undeniably the biggest star in terms of longevity. Personally, I believe Mr. Aamir Khan is the finest actor in the country. Politely put, I have carved out my own niche.”

Shah Rukh Khan made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Deewana. Prior to his film career, he gained fame as a television actor, featuring in popular series such as Fauji and Circus.

It’s often said that Bollywood superstar Hema Malini recognized Shah Rukh Khan's potential during his television career, leading to one of his first film opportunities in Dil Aashna Hai, produced by her banner.

Over the years, Shah Rukh Khan has delivered numerous blockbuster films, including Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Devdas, and Chennai Express.

His latest appearance was in Dunki, and he is currently preparing for his upcoming film King, which also features his daughter Suhana Khan along with Bollywood star Deepika Padukone.