New Delhi/UNI/IBNS: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan returns to the cinemas after four long years with Pathaan, and he reveals that he is realising his 32-year-long dream of being an out and out action hero on the big screen.

In a video released by the producers, Yash Raj Films, Shah Rukh says, "I came to the film industry 32 years ago to be an action hero but I missed the boat because they made me a romantic hero instead.

"I've only wanted to be an action hero. I mean I love DDLJ and I love Rahul and Raj and all these good sweet boys but I always thought I was an action hero, so for me it is my dream come true."

About his character in Pathaan, the superstar reveals, "Pathaan is an easy guy, doing a lot of tough things and I think he's naughty, he's tough but doesn't wear it on his sleeve. He's trusting. He's honest and I think he very single-mindedly thinks of India as his mother."

SRK is teaming up with the leading Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone in the movie.

He and Deepika are one of the biggest on-screen pairings given their epic blockbusters Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express and Happy New Year.

About Deepika and her impact in Pathaan, Shah Rukh says, "You need someone of the stature of Deepika to be able to pull off a song sequence like Besharam Rang and then you know, to be able to do action, where she takes a guy and pulls him right over herself and beats him, she's tough enough to do that too.

"That kind of a combination could have only been achieved with someone like Deepika. It's quite a layered character for an action film heroine so to say."

Pathaan is part of Aditya Chopra’s ambitious spy universe which also features John Abraham in it.

The Siddharth Anand directorial film will be released on big screens in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu on Jan 25.