Shah Rukh Khan sets the tone for his upcoming stint as the host of the upcoming 63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018 on January 20
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 28, 2017)

Even before the year wraps up, Shah Rukh Khan seems to have put a resolution in action. The 52-year-old actor recently confided that of late, everyone around him is surprised to have him show up to work commitments bang on time as opposed to the usual four-hour-late regime he’s famous for. Almost always the last one to arrive on red carpets and perennially late to film sets, SRK recently showed up on the dot on the sets of Aanand L Rai’s upcoming drama, in which he plays a dwarf. When he arrived at the call time of 12 pm, the crew was still setting up, so he parked himself in a corner. When Rai walked in at 1:30 pm, he was surprised to see his leading hero. SRK also joked that he’s partly doing it to see the shocked expression on everyone’s face. “I’m enjoying being on time,” he laughed.

On January 20, the actor is set to host the 63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018. At the launch of the event at a Bandra five-star on Tuesday, the actor cheekily explained why he most certainly is the best compere in showbiz. “See, I won’t lie. I host very well,” he began. “In fact, I should get an 'honesty award' at Filmfare. Someone should recommend this category to be included. I am impromptu, handsome, humorous. I speak English and Hindi well. I am not demeaning anyone but honestly yaar, aaaaah… there’s no better host than me!” he chuckled.

Shah Rukh went on to sing “Tum Jiyo Hazaaron Saal” for Salman Khan’s 52nd birthday, and said that he’s not going to the actor’s Panvel farmhouse for the night of celebrations because he’s eager to spend the holidays with his children — Aaryan and Suhana, both of whom are in town for the holidays.

Going on to speak about the long-standing history of the awards, SRK continued, “When I was growing up in Delhi, I used to watch Filmfare in bits and pieces on Doordarshan and I had this desire ever since — of being at a place where people would shower me with love. The feeling of watching the stars receive the Black Lady was overwhelming and enticing and I hoped to be there some day. As the years have gone by my desire has still remained the same and now, I’ve been at the awards for almost 25 years,” he smiled, adding that there was a moment in one of his recent releases, Fan, that was inspired by his loss in 1992, where he was expecting to win the Filmfare Debut Award for Deewana but lost out to Ajay Devgn for his performance in Phool Aur Kaante. But he went on to win 14 Filmfares including the Best Actor for Dilwale Dulhaniya Leh Jayenge, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Swades, Chak De India and My Name is Khan. “Every time I win an award I feel the essence — the love of my parents, who can see that moment from heaven. So when someone else wins, I believe it’s their parents who are watching and showering their blessings,” Shah Rukh reasoned.

The awards, which will take place at the NSCI Dome in Worli and air on Colors, will also see other hosts for certain segments, details of which are yet to be finalised.

Last year, the introduction of the Filmfare Short Film Awards segment was lauded with Tisca Chopra winning the Best Actress trophy for the delightfully dark Chutney and Manoj Bajpayee for Tandav in the Best Actors in the Short Film category.

Khamakha, Chutney and Matitali Kusti won Best Films in People’s Choice, Fiction and Non-Fiction categories respectively. Now, the awards show is scheduled to continue the special segment for short films this year.