Since his big screen debut with Dil Aashna Hai, Shah Rukh Khan has been making fans fall in love with him for more than 25 years. While you can’t ignore his good looks, it’s also his charm and biting humour that has earned him a loyal fan following. On his 53rd birthday on 2 November, here’s a look at the moments when King Khan schooled fans and the media with his signature wit.
1. “You’ve Not Seen My Work? Oh, My Sympathies”
Shah Rukh Khan has always been candid about his narcissism. Last year, he delivered a TED Talk in Vancouver, Canada. In his opening statements to the crowd, he cheekily remarked:
“I have been made to understand that there are a lot of you who haven’t seen my works and honestly, I feel bad for you.”
2. King Khan’s Pun Game Is on Point
The internet has brought every move that SRK makes under scrutiny. A media report surfaced romanticising him for ‘sitting like an ordinary man’ during a train journey to Vadodara for his film Raees’ promotions. A week later, Shah Rukh commented on the picture with his not so subtle puns.
“There were pictures being taken and I’ll tell you even without the pictures being taken I can sit like that. It is my berth-right.”
3. Even Badshahs Have Their Limits...
It’s no secret that Khan turns putty when it comes to his daughter Suhana. In an interview with film critic Rajeev Masand, Khan narrates and incident when an embarrassed Suhana told him, “Papa, everybody on the floor knows you. My closest friends are Germans and even they know about you.” The doting dad replied:
“I am sorry. I don’t know how to stop the Germans.”
4. SRK Dropping Truth Bombs
When Shah Rukh made an appearance on Koffee with Karan, after having skipped the fourth season, KJo asked, “Why not season 4?” And Shah Rukh’s tongue-in-cheek response?
“I wanted the TRPs to drop a little. Because I took them so high in the first one.”
5. His Preps Are His Business, None of Your Business
When SRK was asked how he prepared himself for his roles ahead of the release of his film Dear Zindagi, the King of Romance quipped,
“I tell everyone I do it in my sleep. Come sleep with me.”
Watch the interview here:
6. You Can’t Get Away After Calling Him a ‘Supporting Character’
During Dilwale promotions, the superstar was asked by a journalist how it feels like to be a supporting cast in a film where the lead role has gone to a car? And the Wit King came back with a line that stole everybody’s ‘waah waahs’,
“Car toh car hai. Kala humare paas hai. Issiliye hum kalakar hai.”
7. I Am What You Want to Be
When Shah Rukh was called to deliver a TED talk about fame, humanity and love, he commenced by addressing:
“I was called to talk about the future ‘you’, so naturally it follows that I am going to talk about the present me.”
8. How to Keep Brad Pitt Away From Bollywood?
Getting candid with Rajeev Masand, Brad Pitt and Shah Rukh Khan talked about Hollywood movies and Bollywood musicals. And when asked why singing and dancing is such an integral part of Bollywood, SRK didn’t miss a beat before subtly hinting that there can only be one king on screen.
“Singing and dancing is important, if only to keep Brad away from the movies.”
Watch the interview here:
9. Who Will Be Our Meryl Streep?
With the #metoo movement raging in Hollywood, one couldn’t help but ask King Khan, “Why weren’t you like a ‘Meryl Streep’ at the Filmfare?” Khan with all humility, replied,
“Iss baar filmfare award mila nahi. Milta toh yehi speech deta.”
10. What Are Awards Without King Khan?
During KJo’s Rapid Fire Round on Koffee with Karan, SRK was asked what he would say if he didn’t win any award? Well...
“The awards don’t deserve me.”
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