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'Doesn't seem like 30 years, seems like yesterday': Shah Rukh Khan on his time in the film industry

'Doesn't seem like 30 years, seems like yesterday': Shah Rukh Khan on his time in the film industry

The actor celebrated three decades of work by answering fans' questions during his first Insta live.
25 Jun, 2022

It has been three decades since Shah Rukh Khan stepped into the film industry and what better way to honour his 30 years of work than reminisce about it with fans? The king of Bollywood answered some fans' questions in his very first Insta live.

Khan hosted his live session on Instagram on Saturday and revealed that though it was for the release of a new poster for his upcoming film Pathaan, it incidentally also happens to be his 30-year anniversary in the industry. He started off with an anecdote from his very first day of shooting.

"I do remember the first day that I shot, I was shooting for Hema [Malini] jee, [in] Dil Aashna Hai. For me it was 5 or 6pm on this date, 30 years ago, somewhere near Lokhandwala in a bungalow and I remember Hema jee showing me how to do the shot — she looked so wonderful and beautiful. Of course, I could never ever manage to act like Hema Malini jee but I've tried my best to come close to performers like her and I'm extremely thankful to all of you for having borne with me for the last 30 years," he said.

He also said it was his first time doing a session like this. "If I'm not mistaken, this is my first Insta live so I may make some mistakes, there might be some sounds and I might take a while to read and answer the questions that you have."

After sending his love to all those dropping down in the comment section only to type "I love you", he talked about why he decided acting was it for him.

"I have always believed when I came down to Mumbai that I'll try to do as much work as possible because the first time when I did my serial Fauji, I remember I was driving in a three-wheeler and two ladies who looked very glum just looked at me and started shouted Abhi [his character's name]. At that point in time, I realised that this is the reason that I'm going to act — so that I can make people smile."

In between looking back on his career, the My Name is Khan actor answered questions on his live, revealing his current favourite song is 'Pata Laguga' because of the little Punjabi he knows, he sees reflected in it and just loves the sound of the "pata laguga" part.

When a fan asked about what scenes Khan struggles with, he replied, "I am very shy, there a lot of scenes I can't do so I request the directors and writers 'please don't do this for me because I feel very awkward doing it'.

"One of the things which is very difficult for me to do as an actor is to laugh on screen so I try to avoid scenes where I have to laugh — which sounds very unreal. There are some scenes where you have to laugh — I remember in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, there's a basketball scene with Kajol [and] I just couldn't laugh. Karan [Johar] had to make the small kid who says tussi jarahay ho make funny some faces so that I could laugh in the scene. Even then I could not do it as well as I wish I had. Laughing is difficult for me."

Commenting on his upcoming film Pathaan he said that the process of filmmaking is more important than the film itself for him. This is the kind of "cool action film" he has wanted to do for 30 years, so he has really been enjoying filming it.

Answering another fan's question about his favourite part about his look in the film, he said it was the long hair. He elaborated and talked about an odd thing about the hair — he and the lead female actor had the same hair length. "The only weird thing about the hair look was many a times, Deepika [Padukone] and I had the same hairstyle so this was the first time I had to discuss with my costar what hairstyle are you having [done] so I don't copy it."

Reading out a question that asked the Devdas actor whether he still "vibes" to 'Chaiyya Chaiyya', he responded, "I'm assuming vibe means to dance on 'Chaiyya Chaiyya — that's one step I know even in my sleep, while sitting I can also do it." He then busted out some moves from the music video.

Returning to his three-decade anniversary, Khan said, "The first thing about working in films is that they don't seem like 30 years, it seems like yesterday I started working. I was just speaking with my wife and my kids — nobody here realises the extent till I myself read the hashtag 30 years of Shah Rukh Khan in films — 30 years is a long time, it's a lifetime. I never thought I would last 30 years.

"I came down to Mumbai hoping that I would be able to work for a year maybe, two years at most, do five, six, sever, eight, 10 films. If things don't work out, I'll find a job — I've done my studies in economics and mass communication — I always felt I would find a job in the media, I'll find something to do with films even if it was lighting the setup [or] being a sound assistant. I just love films! So I always thought if I don't make it as an actor, I'll leave after a year or so [and] go back to doing some job here in Mumbai on the sets for other people."

Khan added that cinema is what inspires him and makes him feel very happy.

If the actor didn't predict he would last this long, we know his fans sure did. Congratulations to the actor on 30 years in the industry!

Comments

Syed Hasni Jun 25, 2022 07:08pm
SRK is Badshah of Bollywood. "Picture abhi baki hai mere doost " His fans love him and "Don't underestimate the power of a common man" I would only say Dear Shah Rukh "Kaash---Kaash main tumhari jagah pe hota---kaash" With love from Pakistan, "aik papi ihar aur aik pappi udhar" We know you love pappis
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Taj Ahmad Jun 25, 2022 07:26pm
SRK the best of all times after Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and my favorite Shami Kapoor, Bollywood products in Indian films always rank # 1, this industry after 100 years still producing best films for over billion people around the world.
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Bunny Jun 25, 2022 07:28pm
Nice to see Indian actors getting such attention in Pak papers. art, studies ,tourism and other such things should stay away from political boundaries.
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Douglas Jun 25, 2022 08:48pm
Why waste time on this actors ? Teachers, medical professionals and sanitation workers are also doing great service to human.Un fortunately no one talks about them
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Asif Jun 25, 2022 10:26pm
Stop advertising Indians.
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Asif Jun 25, 2022 10:28pm
Such fakes.
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Joe Jun 25, 2022 11:08pm
Media hyped, a very mediocre actor.
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Abdur Razzaque Jun 26, 2022 02:05am
No comment !
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Imran khan (Mardan) KPK Jun 26, 2022 03:08am
@Douglas you sound like a very jealous and miserable man who hasn’t achieved nothing in life and can’t see others succeed.
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Redchilli Jun 26, 2022 03:49am
@Douglas thats entertainment news seems you entered the wrong section
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Multani Jun 26, 2022 04:08am
Wonder how BJP. is allowing this highly talented Muslim actor survive in Hindu India.
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Indian from US Jun 26, 2022 05:25am
@Douglas Sir, Shahrukh Khan is a great actor and a successful hero. He is also a good human being. He is one of the most charitable heroes in Bollywood and very humble. Thanks to Dawn for the article.
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TPA Jun 26, 2022 07:08am
King of Nepotism
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Rohit Jun 26, 2022 07:17am
@Bunny they don't have their own... Busy in leg pulling of each other...
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Farhan khan Jun 26, 2022 08:09am
Is India promote any Pakistani actor in their country?
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Farhan khan Jun 26, 2022 08:09am
Time wasting.
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Indian from US Jun 26, 2022 10:45am
@Farhan khan Sir, India had many actors from Pakistan. Some are Adnan Sahni, Nargis Faqri, Veena Mallik and Fawad Khan. Shahrukh acted with Mahira Khan in Raees. Mohsin Khan (Pakistani cricketer of 90s) acted in many movies.
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Johnw Jun 26, 2022 11:05am
Without the backing from D company,this ordinary looking man would be nobody.
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Raja Basu Jun 26, 2022 12:23pm
@Multani FYI, India is a secular country, not a Hindu country. Muslims and other minorities in India have achieved top positions in various fields, including politics. So no wonder that we have Muslim celebrities in Bollywood, while Lollywood does not have any Hindu (or for that matter non-Muslim) celebrity.
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A Jun 26, 2022 02:21pm
Was fan until he did not start making weird statements.
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A shah Jun 26, 2022 02:53pm
Muslims seem to thrive in India
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IRFAN Jun 26, 2022 04:47pm
Has this so-called superstar done anything for the unprivileged or raised his voice for the concerns related to Muslims in India? And he and his blind fans proudly call him Badshah Khan, King Khan etc, etc.
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Ashraf P Jun 26, 2022 04:55pm
Time flies when you are having fun.
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Ashraf P Jun 26, 2022 04:57pm
"Is India promote any Pakistani actor in their country?" @Farhan khan, sorry to say, Pakistan does not have good actors these days.
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Abdullah Jun 26, 2022 05:52pm
Looks horrible.
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Abdullah Jun 26, 2022 05:54pm
@Raja Basu that secularism has long gone away.Its a hindu country that kills and rapes minority muslim and christians.
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John Jun 26, 2022 07:24pm
@Multani Because it is India, not Pakistan
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time_travel Jun 26, 2022 07:34pm
Jewel of India.
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Daredevil Jun 26, 2022 09:13pm
We have many memories related to, I would call him the SRK, but now he has lost his vigour and vitality. He is no longer a King.
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Pakistan Zindabad Jun 26, 2022 09:17pm
His son will be acting soon too.
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Rafique Jun 26, 2022 09:43pm
He is in denial of his aging!
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Sanju Jun 27, 2022 12:06am
Indian mein to Iski chutthi ho gayee hai.
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Wisetalk Jun 27, 2022 02:54am
@Multani Please visit India to know what India is. Do not live by what the media says in Pakistan. I say this to Indians as well.
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Shehryar Jun 27, 2022 03:20am
This man is overrated.. There is hardly any SRK movie that is worth remembering, Let alone watching it twice..
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Naan Thamizhan Jun 27, 2022 08:37am
I usually don't watch Hindi movies! Except for few Shah Rukh Khan movies! Wonderful actor!
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Talha Jun 27, 2022 09:23am
I accept that SRK is a great celebrity, a great representative of the arts, and a great soul. But great actor? No
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Ravi Jun 27, 2022 09:25am
@Multani "Wonder how BJP. is allowing this highly talented Muslim actor survive in Hindu India.". As long as he behaves as an actor, Indian and human being, he will be always celebrated in India. But if one try to play religious cards or political cards, then he has to face the appropriate music from the people affected...
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skumar Jun 27, 2022 09:44am
SRK will forever remain the badshah of romance. Always a pleasure to watch his performance in any role. Just see the recent SRK-Kajol (geruwa) song in dilwaale , it will blow your mind away ! A few jealous fanatics on both sides can say anything but for everyone else in india-pakistan -he rules the heart and is the BEST !
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