First things first: Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask you about “Don 3”. [Laughs] We will keep this work strictly here. But I have to ask you, in a previous episode of “Ms. Marvel,” the characters discussed their favorite Shah Rukh Khan movies, confirming that he exists in the MCU. You have obviously directed Shah Rukh Khan in the past in a few films. Now you’ve appeared on ‘Ms. Marvel.” Is Farhan Akhtar in MCU too? Waleed meets him and goes a little, “Hey, does this guy look like me?”
[Laughs] No it is not. But now that you mention it, I think maybe when you first saw Waleed, he should have come in and said, “You know, I think Don is Shah Rukh’s best friend.” [Laughs] That would be really confusing for the audience.
On a more serious note.
Yes.
From what I’ve seen, the predominant reaction to seeing this episode is, “I can’t believe Farhan Akhtar is in the MCU, in a franchise as big as this.” This might seem like a weird question, but do you know how big it is for South Asians to be on a show like this?
I’m learning more and more about it [laughs], to be honest. For me, to begin with, I was very excited to be in it. When I first learned that this was offered and that it was possible to do it, I was really excited to do it. Then when I saw my 14-year-old daughter’s reaction, which was probably the happiest I’ve ever seen her with any work I do. You know, like, “That’s something I want to see.” Then I say, “But what about all these wonderful things I’ve done in the last 20 years?” [Laughs] “That can wait.”
I mean, I’m starting to get the feeling that this is a big deal. Now that it’s out there and the love and the messages I’m getting from friends and family and different people from different parts of the world about how nice it is to see, to see me, at this show. Slowly but surely I understand that this is a very special moment.
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