Teaming up with Shah Rukh Khan for the first time, director Maneesh Sharma says he was amazed with superstar's enthusiasm and would like to imbibe it.

"With all that experience and adulation at this age, one would think of chilling out but he (Shah Rukh) is enthusiastic as a 16-year-old when it comes to his work," Maneesh told PTI.

The "Band Baaja Baaraat" helmer has directed Shah Rukh in Yash Raj Films's next thriller drama "Fan" which opens on April 15.

"To keep that excitement intact is what matters. I hope I can be enthusiastic like him after 10 years also to direct a film," Maneesh said.

"He (Shah Rukh) is the most experienced person we had on the sets. He has done it all, achieved things be it superficial, worldly, personal or professional. We know his journey, adulation and accolades."

Maneesh, who has worked closely as an assistant director on Aditya Chopra's directorial venture "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" starring SRK, thinks the "Swades" star is like an open book.

In "Fan", which has been produced by YRF's Aditya Chopra, the 50-year-old actor plays a movie star named Aryan Khanna and a look-alike fan (Gaurav), who is obsessed with him.

"I wrote the film keeping Shah Rukh Khan in mind. I was clear the film will be made with Shah Rukh or else it will not happen. I was adamant to have him," Maneesh said.


Maneesh said he did not get an easy access to Shah Rukh because of YRF.

"I had met Shah Rukh without knowing anyone at his home for an hour. In 2004, when I was finishing my graduation I called up his spot boy and I got to meet him at Mannat. Adi (Aditya Chopra) was surprised when I told him about this," he said.