Upala KBR (DNA; November 2, 2015)



I wouldn’t want to change anything about him: Kajol
My favourite film with Shah Rukh is Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, because we had such a great time. I don’t have a fav scene with him because whenever I have worked with him, there has always been such a great level of comfort. Shah Rukh is such a good actor that he always makes you feel comfortable, so whatever work we have done together I’ve honestly loved doing it and watching it. I have known him for the last 20 years and as far as changing is concerned, I think he and I are the same, but the people around us have changed in the last 20 years. But yes, there’s one thing I would love to change about him! I would love it if he would reply to BBM messages on time or even read them, for that matter (laughs).


Shah Rukh is a team player: Kareena Kapoor Khan
Shah Rukh and I have worked together in three films — Asoka being my first. Wherever I go, people always talk of Asoka and I am hugely grateful to Shah Rukh for that. It’s a part of my life in a very big way. It was the first time that I shot with no make-up on and like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, is another landmark film in my career. He has always given me some eternal party songs like a Chammak Challo. When I signed RA.One, he had promised to give me two super hit blockbusters and he lived up to it. He is also a dear friend to Saif and me. We may not meet Shah Rukh and Gauri often, but whenever we do, it’s with the fondest and deepest respect. Shah Rukh always calls me on my birthday in spite of being so busy. He’s important to both Lolo (sister Karisma, who starred with SRK in Dil To Pagal Hai) and me in our careers. Shah Rukh is a team player. He doesn’t work for himself but the film. Despite being such a huge star, he’s only bothered about how his heroines look and not how he does. That’s why his heroines look so gorgeous. Other Bollywood actors will take aeons to achieve the kind of energy and superstardom Shah Rukh has reached till now. He will take an era to replace.


It’s a relationship of a lifetime...: Deepika Padukone
For a very long time, it seemed too surreal for me and took some time to sink in that I was working with Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om. He was shooting for Chak De! India when I signed OSO. I will never forget our first meeting at his home. I was nervous about meeting him, almost tongue-tied. It was a weird experience sitting next to him and chatting so casually. I felt comfortable around him. Shah Rukh has that kind of charm. He is extremely generous as an actor, producer and a friend. It feels odd for me to talk about it today. We share a different equation now. When I started out, I trusted him blindly. Now, we are equals through the work we have done. With Shah Rukh and me it’s a relationship of a lifetime. On his birthday today, I wish him health and happiness.


He smells really good: Anushka Sharma
He is my first co-star and that makes him very special. It was my first film, but what stood out for me was how passionate he was regarding his work and that’s something that will stay with me and I can take inspiration from. His passion for his craft and his energy is infectious. I got to know him better during the shoot of Jab Tak Hai Jaan. He is intelligent, has a great sense of humour and is courteous. Oh yes, and he smells really good. I don’t know if I will ever be able to get friendly enough with him that I can slap his back like I do with some of my other co-stars. Due to my army background, for me, the hierarchy needs to be respected. I have immense respect for him. He meets me with the same warmth and affection just like he did when we met for the first time.

He makes everyone feel special: Katrina Kaif
While shooting for Jab Tak Hai Jaan, I was tongue-tied in Shah Rukh’s presence, during some of our first interactions. He is, after all, one of the greatest superstars of our times. He is very kind, helpful and caring and that’s truly what makes him so unique. He has so much care and love to give those around him and never tires. Shah Rukh is a magical force. For me, like for many others I am sure, he is an inspiration. He can hold the attention of anyone — from the age of two to 102 with a unique gift of making everyone feel special! Shah Rukh’s a conversationalist, an extrovert who likes to involve everyone around him. He is also very good at improvisation and can just change and take the scene or dialogue to a different level. Shah Rukh is a more spontaneous actor and not into rehearsing. I am fortunate to have worked with him and count him as a friend.

He’s a competitive kid: Preity Zinta
Shah Rukh is one of the brightest people I know. It’s amazing how well-read he is. He has very curious nature. Like a child, he is curious about everything. If you are discussing something and he doesn’t know what it is, he will find out about it himself. One can always be young with Shah Rukh. There’s never a dull moment with him. Shah Rukh is like this big kid where competing is concerned, a fact I love about him. He’s very competitive especially where playing games is concerned. In a kid’s store, he’s the bigger kid. You see one of the biggest stars in the world like a lost kid in a toy store. I am sure he will redefine himself at 50 this year. I really do love him a lot. Shah Rukh is one of the most inspiring guys I know. None of us are perfect, we all have our own shortcomings, but Shah Rukh’s positives are so strong that it outnumbers the rest.


Go easy on the cigarettes, SRK!: Madhuri Dixit-Nene
For me, Dil To Pagal Hai is the most special film with Shah Rukh. The characters of Pooja and Rahul were incredibly crafted by Yash Chopra. Of all his films, my personal favourite would have to be Baazigar. He was outstanding in the film and with that film, he made the anti-hero trend famous. I honestly don’t remember our first-day shot very clearly, but I remember that it was for the film Anjaam. When I met him for the first time on the sets of the film, the first thing I noticed was a mop of hair falling all over his forehead making him look like a naive boy. But I never judge a book by its cover and Shah Rukh proved that with his acting prowess in the film. I don’t want to change anything about him but for one. Like everyone else, I’d want him to go little easy on the cigarettes. Also, Shah Rukh has always been very good with all his co stars, especially the female actresses.

He’s a cool guy, special person & intelligent actor: Shilpa Shetty Kundra
I met Shah Rukh on the first day of the Baazigar shoot. I had seen him in Fauji and had been a huge fan. Then, he wasn’t that big a star, but he always had the charisma of one. He has been able to achieve all that he has, not just because his of acting, but also because he’s a very intelligent actor. He has diversified his businesses. From acting, he’s gone into producing movies, sports and other things. He’s very blessed to have achieved that kind of stardom. During Baazigar, Shah Rukh definitely was a great help. I was so new with no background in acting and he came from stage. He helped me with my dialogue delivery. I have never been on backslapping terms with him, but he has always given me much respect and has always been encouraging. He’s a cool guy and a special person.

I was the first person to call him Shah: Raveena Tandon Thadani
Shah Rukh and I go back a long way. We shot together for the first time for Ramesh Sippy’s Zamana Deewana (1995) and hit it off instantly. A fact nobody knows, is that I was the first person to call him Shah. I started calling him that while shooting for ZD. Since then, we haven’t worked together. Maybe our stars don’t match. I would have loved to work with him more. But we have always been better friends as we share a fabulous rapport. He is a Scorpio like me. Another Scorpio trait... he loves and hates with equal passion. If he wants something, uske peeche haath dhoke padh jaata hai. Also, Shah is still connected to the people he knew when he first came to Bandra and treats them with the same amount of love, warmth and compassion as before.