Zero is selected for the Beijing International Film Festival; Aanand L Rai says the film is close to him

Mumbai: Zero by Shah Rukh Khan may not have succeeded in eliciting the expected response, but director Aanand L Rai said the film has a special place in his heart. The director is delighted with the selection of the film as the closing film of the Beijing International Film Festival 2019.

"I am so happy that Zero was selected as the closing film of the Beijing International Film Festival", said Rai in a statement. "The film is very special for us and this news is very encouraging and I hope the audience will enjoy the film," he added.

The 2018 film presents SRK in a love triangle with a person with dwarfism, a scientist with cerebral palsy (actress Anushka Sharma) and a famous actress (Katrina Kaif). The actors have been praised for their performances.

Despite a loud buzz and an overall cast, the film proves to be a wet box office reproach.

Zero representative at the film festival, Shah Rukh will participate in a segment of dialogue with the aim of finding ways to develop Chinese and Indian films and to create opportunities for strengthening film cooperation between the two countries.

The festival will run from April 13 to 20. Programming is a mix of Hollywood blockbusters (including Jason Bourne's five films and Mad Max's four titles); tribute to filmmakers, including Akira Kurosawa and Alfonso Cuaron (with screenings by Gravity and Children of Men).