Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; July 8, 2016)

Ever since Gauri Shinde’s next Dear Zindagi was announced, there have been speculations about Shah Rukh Khan’s role in the film. An unconventional film of sorts, the film’s leading lady Alia Bhatt confirmed that DZ isn’t a love story. And that she isn’t paired opposite SRK romantically in the film.

SRK has confirmed in interviews that he shot for the film for 49 days, and so assumes he “must be having a good role”. That’s a sentiment echoed by a source from the production. “Shah Rukh has a full-fledged role in the film. It definitely can’t be called an extended cameo. He will be there on screen for a good 30 minutes.”

SRK is aware that the film doesn’t completely belong to him, though. The source adds, “It’s completely Alia’s film and it revolves around the different relationships and changes in her character. SRK plays her life coach and his character will eventually bring about a change in her.”

The makers have already decided to release the film in November this year. They are now planning to keep around a month’s time between Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (October 28) and Dear Zindagi.