Shah Rukh Khan went through one of the most challenging phases of his personal life when his son Aryan Khan found himself at the centre of a narcotics-related controversy. Actress Girija Oak, who was filming Jawan with the superstar during that period, has now shared insights into how deeply the situation affected him and how he chose to step away until things began to stabilise.
Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Girija recalled that the film’s shoot coincided with an emotionally turbulent time for Shah Rukh. She mentioned that the Aryan Khan case was unfolding while they were working on Jawan. Around the same time, another incident sparked public debate after SRK offered a prayer at Lata Mangeshkar’s funeral, which led to unnecessary criticism. Despite these controversies, she noted that his popularity and the respect he commanded remained unmatched.
Girija emphasised that throughout the time she worked with him, Shah Rukh never allowed personal distress to affect the atmosphere on set. According to her, he was consistently calm, never raised his voice at anyone and maintained complete professionalism. Although it was evident that he must have been under immense emotional strain, he continued to arrive on time and fulfil his responsibilities with sincerity. Having worked with him over an extended period, she said she witnessed different phases of his journey and gained a deeper respect for him.
She further explained that for nearly three to four months during the peak of the case, Shah Rukh withdrew entirely from public appearances and paused shooting for Jawan. During that time, he was completely out of reach, even for those working on the film. When the shoot resumed and the situation was nearing closure, Girija said he returned as the same composed and dignified person he had always been. He was focused, gracious and thoroughly professional.
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