There are stars you admire from a distance, and then there is Shah Rukh Khan. With him, the idea of stardom extends beyond the films, the box-office records and the unmistakable outstretched-arms pose. It lies just as much in the way he makes people feel in his presence. Having spent years watching, admiring and celebrating him, I got a glimpse of that magic up close on October 4, 2025, when I had the opportunity to spend a day shooting with him for the Filmfare Awards promo at Mehboob Studios, Mumbai.
It was an experience I had looked forward to with considerable excitement, but also one I had approached with a fair degree of apprehension. Over the years, I had heard countless stories about what it was like to work with Shah Rukh Khan. The one recurring detail was that he could be late. So, when I arrived for a 5 pm call time, I had mentally prepared myself for a long day.
At 5:01 pm, whispers began circulating across the crew that he was on his way. By 5:15 pm, I was downstairs, waiting near the entrance. And then, there he was.
He stepped out looking every bit the superstar, effortlessly dashing, greeted everyone around him and made his way to his vanity. There was no unnecessary fuss or grand announcement. Just Shah Rukh Khan, walking in and commanding a room without even trying. It was a small but telling introduction to the man I was about to spend the day with.
The professionalism behind the superstardom
I hurried upstairs to ensure everything was ready. There were shots to be completed, a schedule to adhere to and a list of things I needed him to do. But the moment he walked onto the set, the atmosphere changed. His security, manager and team followed, and King Khan was ready to roll.
What followed was a masterclass in performance. For every scene, he delivered three distinct emotions, gave us three takes and was ready to move on. The director was more than satisfied. Watching him work from a few feet away was an absolute pleasure. There was not a single fumble, no hesitation and not a moment of uncertainty. He knew exactly what he was doing, yet remained completely receptive to the director’s instructions.
That, perhaps, was the most fascinating part. Here was a man with over three decades of experience, standing before a relatively new director, listening with the enthusiasm and curiosity of someone just starting out. He never once felt the need to assert his stardom. He was simply present, focused on his craft and determined to deliver what the work demanded. Typical King behaviour!
I had heard people say that Shah Rukh behaves like a newcomer on set, but witnessing it firsthand was something else. He was eager to learn, attentive to instructions and respectful of everyone around him. He never belittled anyone or allowed his stardom to overshadow the work. His team stayed in its lane, the technicians were given their due respect, and he made sure he delivered everything that was asked of him, and then some.
At one point, I got the opportunity to step in and direct a short video with him. I briefed him about what we needed and finally got to introduce myself. It was a small moment, perhaps, but a rather big one for me. I got to say, “Action” to Shah Rukh Khan!
There was also a rather amusing exchange during the shoot. He casually asked whether Hyundai was pronounced ‘Hunday’ or ‘Hyundai’. I told him, “Hunday, sir, like Sunday.” He gave me a playful grin at my rather questionable explanation, took another take and we moved on. It was a fleeting interaction, but one I still remember fondly. That is one of Shah Rukh’s gifts: even in the middle of a busy shoot, he has a way of making an exchange feel personal.
When the King strikes a pose
Some moments from that day remain particularly vivid. One shot required him to emerge from a cloud of smoke and appear with the Black Lady. Watching him walk out of the smoke, almost like an apparition, with Filmfare’s iconic trophy in hand, was surreal. It felt cinematic even before the camera captured it. Here was the King of Romance in his element, doing what he has done for decades: charming people without making it look like an effort.
And then came the iconic pose. The open arms, the outstretched silhouette that has been imitated by millions but can never quite be replicated. He stood barely two feet away from me and struck that pose. Nobody said cut. Nobody seemed to want to break the moment. We simply stood there, taking it all in. For someone who has watched that gesture become an enduring symbol of Hindi cinema, seeing it unfold right in front of me was quite something.
It was a reminder that Shah Rukh’s stardom is built on more than just familiarity. His gestures, his mannerisms and even the smallest expressions have become part of popular culture. Yet, when you encounter him in person, the person behind those familiar images is what stays with you.
A photograph, a gesture and a lasting impression
As the shoot wrapped up, the crew broke into a huge cheer. Everyone had mentally prepared for a long, possibly exhausting day, but Shah Rukh had ensured we finished early. He posed for a group photograph with the team and began making his way out. Unfortunately, I missed that picture because I was busy wrapping up my work and ensuring I got the footage in time for the next stages of the promo.
But I wasn’t ready to leave without a photograph of my own. I hurriedly approached his manager and requested a selfie with the superstar. “Sorry, he’s tired now. We’ll go,” she said. I remember standing in a cramped hallway, trying to reason my way into one photograph and wondering if I had just missed my chance.
And then, as if the universe had decided to remind me that picture abhi baaki hai, mere dost, Shah Rukh Khan walked out of the set and straight into that very hallway, surrounded by his bodyguards. I spotted him, instinctively squeezed myself to make way for him and then, gathering whatever courage I had left, asked, “Sir, possible to get a picture with you?”
“Sure,” he replied. And then came the little addition that made the moment even more memorable. “Just make sure you don’t misuse it,” he said with a smile.
His bodyguard even ducked to ensure I got the perfect frame. And there I was, finally getting my photograph with Shah Rukh Khan. But what stayed with me wasn’t just the picture. It was the fact that he stopped. He didn’t have to. He could have simply walked past, especially after a long day of shooting. He didn’t owe me that moment, but he gave it to me anyway.
That small gesture perhaps explains more about his enduring appeal than any grand declaration about his superstardom. It isn’t just that he is a phenomenal actor or one of the biggest stars the world has ever seen. It is that he makes people feel seen. For someone who has spent decades being adored by millions, he still finds the time to make one person feel special.
The showman who never stops working
My experience of Shah Rukh Khan did not end with that shoot. Over the next few days, I saw him rehearsing for the Filmfare Awards well into the early hours of the morning, sometimes until 5 am. He treated the show like it was his own baby, constantly working on it, suggesting changes and finding ways to make every element better. It was clear that he wasn’t simply showing up to perform. He genuinely wanted the show to be spectacular.
On the day of the main event, he delivered exactly that. Watching him go from rehearsals, learning every little detail and making changes along the way, to eventually owning the stage was a treat. It remains one of my favourite Filmfare memories in my almost decade-long association with the brand. Getting to witness the process behind the magic made the final product all the more special.
It also offered another insight into Shah Rukh Khan, the showman who understands that entertaining an audience is as much about preparation as it is about instinct. The ease with which he commands a stage is backed by an extraordinary commitment to the work that goes into making it happen.
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The man behind the legend
I’ve seen Shah Rukh Khan on other occasions since, and I hope I get to see him many more times. But October 4 will always hold a special place in my heart. It wasn’t simply a day spent shooting with a superstar. It was an opportunity to see the qualities that have sustained his stardom for over three decades: his professionalism, his curiosity, his warmth and his ability to make people feel valued.
I walked onto that set as someone who had admired Shah Rukh Khan for years. I walked out admiring the man behind the superstardom just a little more.
On his birthday, it is easy to celebrate the films, the iconic characters, the records and the extraordinary journey of a boy from Delhi who became the Badshah of Bollywood. But sometimes, the most revealing stories about a superstar come from the moments that never make it to the screen. For me, it was a few takes, a playful exchange about Hyundai, an unforgettable pose and a photograph in a cramped hallway.
He was sexy, he was classy, he was charming, he was kind. And, most importantly, he was unapologetically himself.
Happy Birthday, King Khan. The world may have given you the title of Badshah, but it is the love you give back that makes you a king. There really is nobody quite like you.
Also Read: Exclusive: Shah Rukh Khan On Actors He Has Admired & More
