Shah Rukh Khan’s Early Days Revealed in Friend’s Nostalgic Account
Actor Shah Rukh Khan’s early struggles and quirky personality were recounted by longtime friend Viveck Vaswani in a recent interview, offering a glimpse into the superstar’s life before fame.
Vaswani detailed their first meeting at Bandra’s International Coffee Shop, where Khan, then a television actor, requested a cigarette. Their bond solidified after attending a screening of James Cameron’s The Abyss, after which Khan borrowed 100 rupees for transport, as reported today. He was staying at filmmaker Aziz Mirza’s office at the time while working on the film Circus.
A humorous anecdote involved a night Vaswani hosted Khan after their car ran out of petrol. “I offered him my pajamas and told him to stay the night,” Vaswani shared, recalling Khan slept until 6:30 PM the following day, believing it was morning. He also revealed Khan’s unusual preference for things beginning with the letter ‘C’ – cola, coffee, cigarettes, chicken, cinema, and even his wife Gauri’s maiden name, Chibba. This insight into Khan’s personal life offers fans a more intimate understanding of the actor’s character. You can find more about Shah Rukh Khan’s filmography on IMDb.
Vaswani also mentioned Khan’s initial reluctance to bathe in the winter, a habit stemming from his upbringing in Delhi. “In Delhi, we don’t bathe in winters,” Khan reportedly said, prompting Vaswani’s mother to insist on a shower before joining them for dinner. The story highlights the cultural differences Khan experienced adapting to life in Mumbai. For more on the history of Bollywood, see Britannica’s entry on Bollywood.
Vaswani indicated he and Khan remain close friends, and further stories from their shared past may be revealed in future interviews.
