Aanand L Rai has recently reflected on the failure of his 2018 film Zero, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Anushka Sharma. In a recent interview with Galatta Plus, Rai admitted that he failed to properly integrate Shah Rukh Khan's stardom into the film.

Rai acknowledged that he approached the film as a collaboration between an actor and director, without fully considering the responsibility of showcasing a superstar's persona. He stated, "The problem with Zero was that the superstar came to me with so much love, but I never understood that his image had to be part of the film". He realized later that he needed to take care of that image. Rai mentioned that he couldn't achieve the blend of character and stardom on the screen.

Zero, written by Himanshu Sharma and produced by Colour Yellow Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment, featured Abhay Deol, R Madhavan, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub. Made on a reported budget of ₹200 crore, it earned around ₹180–190 crore. The film's disappointing performance led to Shah Rukh Khan taking a four-year break from acting.

Rai admitted that he struggled to match Shah Rukh Khan's star aura with the scripted role. He explained, "Maybe I am unable to incorporate that stardom into my characters. I was floating; my bearings were not there". Despite the film's failure, Rai fondly remembers the experience of working with Shah Rukh Khan. He said that he enjoyed filming Zero more than himself.

Rai stated, "I was enjoying the journey, and more than me, Shah Rukh was. That became scary later because one of us should have stopped and said, 'There is a star.' He never brought it up, and I never understood it. Maybe things would have been different".

Aanand L Rai has also directed films such as Tanu Weds Manu, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Atrangi Re. Recently, Rai directed Tere Ishk Mein, featuring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon.