Kamal Ghorui
Deven Bhojani recently opened up about his memories of working with superstar Shah Rukh Khan. He shared that at the start of their association, he had been influenced by widespread rumours describing Shah Rukh as arrogant and temperamental, which once made him hesitate to even greet the actor on set. He spoke about his experience of collaborating with Shah Rukh. Before ‘Dunki’, they had previously worked together on the 1994 film ‘Jaadu’, which was eventually released as ‘Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke’ in 2004.
Deven Bhojani recalls first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan
During a conversation with SCREEN, Bhojani revisited his first encounter with Shah Rukh, admitting that he initially felt hesitant to approach his ‘Dunki’ co-star due to the many rumours surrounding the superstar. However, Khan soon dispelled those perceptions by going out of his way on set to make Deven feel appreciated and important. Recalling his experience of working with the actor, Deven said, “Years ago, I did another film with Shah Rukh Khan. After Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, I did 20-25 films where I played the hero’s friend. There was one such film where I played Shah Rukh’s friend. I don’t know if that film was released or if it got delayed. Back then, I had heard Shah Rukh is very arrogant, threw tantrums, speaks very rudely. It was my first day on set…”
Deven Bhojani shares how Shah Rukh Khan changed his perception
“Since I was new, I introduced myself to everyone. But I kept wondering if I should go and speak to SRK or not. I hesitated thinking what if he insults me. I was learning my lines in a corner, and someone tapped me from behind. It was him, he introduced himself and praised my work in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, that’s when all the rumours about him were busted. Shah Rukh was so down to earth, he told me that he had seen Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar just a few days back with Mansoor, and he loved my work so much that he took my details from Mansoor,” he added.
Deven Bhojani on working with Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Dunki’
Bhojani also spoke about his time working with Shah Rukh on ‘Dunki’, calling the superstar incredibly kind and welcoming. He mentioned that it felt like no time had passed, as though they had simply continued from where they had last worked together. Sharing a moment from the shoot, Deven recalled that while filming a church sequence, Shah Rukh suddenly started calling him “sir.” When he asked why, Shah Rukh explained that since everyone on set addressed him that way, he thought he should too. Deven added that Shah Rukh has a special way of making people feel valued and appreciated, leaving them completely charmed by his warmth.
Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film ‘King’
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh will be next seen in Siddharth Anand’s ‘King’. The film also stars Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Deepika Padukone and others. It is slated for release this Christmas.
