Actor-director Deven Bhojani has shared a candid anecdote about his early encounters with Shah Rukh Khan, debunking long-standing rumors of the superstar’s arrogance. In a recent interview, Bhojani recounted avoiding SRK on set due to hearsay but discovering a warm, grounded professional instead.
Back in the early 1990s, during the filming of Jaadu (later retitled Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke with Raveena Tandon), Deven hesitated to approach the rising star. “I had heard Shah Rukh is very arrogant, throws tantrums, speaks very rudely,” he admitted, adding whispers that young SRK badmouthed legends like Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. On his first day, Deven kept distance, fearing insult.
Then SRK tapped his shoulder: “Hi, I’m Shah Rukh. You were so good in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.” Stunned that SRK knew his name from the 1992 hit, Deven learned the actor had specifically asked director Mansoor Khan about him. That gesture flipped the script, revealing humility over hype.
“He knew my name! He’d asked Mansoor Khan about me,” Deven shared, stunned by the gesture from TV’s rising star (Fauji). Decades later on Dunki (2023), SRK called him “sir,” proving consistency despite superstardom. “No tantrums, just professionalism,” Bhojani noted
Stunned, Deven learned SRK had asked director Mansoor Khan about him specifically. This 1990s encounter flipped perceptions of TV’s Fauji star breaking into films. Fast-forward to Dunki (2023)—SRK called Deven “sir” on set, making him feel valued despite the superstar gap. “We picked up where we left off,” Bhojani said.
The tale counters SRK’s early “attitude” reputation. Colleagues like Anubhav Sinha affirm his work ethic. Directing Taarak Mehta specials now, Deven’s story arrives amid SRK’s Pathaan-Jawan dominance, proving respect outlasts rumors.
Beyond the myths
Bhojani’s story echoes a pattern: early SRK faced “attitude” tags amid his TV-to-film leap (Fauji, Circus), but peers like Anubhav Sinha and Farah Khan have long vouched for his work ethic. Post-Pathaan and Jawan (2023), such tales reinforce why King Khan endures—talent trumping tittle-tattle.
This revelation arrives amid Deven’s busy slate directing Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah specials. Fans celebrate the anecdote, proving rumors fade but respect lasts