Shah Rukh Khan hasn’t changed in the last 25 years, recalls college-mate Rajesh Khattar: ‘He went from star to superstar to megastar’
Rajesh Khattar Shares Heartwarming Stories About Shah Rukh Khan’s Grounded Nature
Shah Rukh Khan, much like Amitabh Bachchan, seems to be one of those rare stars who consistently earns praise from those around him. Even at 59, he remains a Bollywood titan, and colleagues frequently recount tales of his kindness and generosity. Rajesh Khattar, a fellow alumnus of Shah Rukh Khan’s New Delhi college, recently shared his own experiences from their time in the theatre circuit. “He is very grounded and real,” Khattar stated in an interview with Friday Talkies.
A College Connection and a Lasting Impression
Rajesh Khattar, who knew Shah Rukh Khan from his early career and college days, had the opportunity to work with him in the 2006 film, Don. Reflecting on their shared history, Rajesh explained, “We are both from the same college, and because we are both from Delhi, we were aware of each other. We were both involved in theatre and participated in numerous Hindu-Sikh series that were produced back then.”
Their paths crossed frequently during the filming of Shah Rukh Khan’s 1995 movie, Zamana Deewana, as Rajesh’s then-wife, Neelima Azeem, was also part of the cast. While their interactions became less frequent afterward, Rajesh emphasizes that Shah Rukh Khan’s character remained constant. “He is a gem of a person. He is wonderful in real life. We don’t meet so often but whenever I meet him, I see no difference in his behaviour. He shows the same interest in people that he showed about 25 years ago. Every time, you meet him… his stature is bigger than what it was last time, he is bigger star. But as a person, you don’t see any difference in him. He is very grounded and real. I love this about him,” Rajesh shared.
Consistent Praise from Those Who Know Him
Previously, Shah Rukh Khan’s school friend, Palash Sen, also reminisced about their childhood, noting that SRK’s decision to pursue acting came as a surprise. In an interview with Lallantop, Palash remarked, “I believe that whatever success Shah Rukh has achieved in his chosen field, he would have achieved in any other field as well. He’s among the most exceptionally intelligent men I’ve met in my entire life.”
What’s Next for the King of Bollywood?
On the professional front, Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated film, King. This project will be helmed by Siddharth Anand, the director of Pathaan, and will also feature his daughter, Suhana Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan.