It's an association of almost 15 years. He's not only a very good actor, but also a very savvy individual. As an individual, he keeps reinventing himself. It would be pompous of me to say I see myself in him, or him in me. He's not a boring person to be with, he's very exciting. He's also very real -- that's what makes him special.

I think being a huge star and yet being real is a very difficult combination. And because he's like that, I think he is where he is.

Speaking as an actor, I think we all know he's done a great job. Over the last few years, he's been phenomenally different. I think he's broken away from that Shah Rukh stamp we were almost getting used to.

He's amazing as a producer, and an actor. I loved working with him in Paheli, which he produced. We share an amazing chemistry, right from Chaahat to Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge to this film. Some people get older with age, he gets younger. I think that's because of his energy, and his honesty.

I loved his films like DDLJ, Chaahat, Main Hoon Na, Dil To Pagal Hai and Paheli. I think Paheli didn't work because Shah Rukh Khan is too much of an urban hero.

Anupam Kher spoke to Raja Sen