Before getting the name of one of the world’s biggest superstars, Shah Rukh Khan was a young boy who used to help his father in the canteen at the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi. Pankaj Kapur, a veteran actor, has shared a heartwarming anecdote from his acting days at the theatre institute that has come to light recently.
In a recent interview, Pankaj Kapur shared that in the ‘70s, when he was in the NSD, a child (who was only around 10 years) used to take samosas to actors during rehearsal breaks. During that time, nobody could have fathomed the cute boy serving the snacks would grow up to become the biggest star in Bollywood. It was none other than the young boy, Shah Rukh Khan, that Kapur said.
The tale starts with the father of Shah Rukh, Meer Taj Mohammed Khan, who was the canteen officer in the National School of Drama. Once he had finished school, Shah Rukh would regularly visit the college to spend time with the theatre artists and watch rehearsals and would also occasionally assist his father by bringing tea and samosas to students and the actors.
It would turn out to be an extraordinary learning experience for what appeared to be an ordinary childhood routine. The young Shah Rukh was caught up in the midst of some of India’s best theatre artists without realising it, and was surrounded by an environment that would help shape his destiny as an actor.
The anecdote is even more amazing when you put it in perspective as it spans time. However, years later, Pankaj Kapur and Shah Rukh Khan would share the screen in the 1995 film, Ram Jaane. That little boy who brought food to the theatre artists had grown up to be one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema, with the very same people he had been watching from afar.
NSD has been a tremendous influence on Shah Rukh Khan’s early years and has been the subject of many statements by the actor. He has named the school and its environment as an inspiration to his passion for acting, but he himself has never studied there. He has attended rehearsals and seen great performers as his first lessons in performance.
In those days, NSD boasted some great actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar, Raghubir Yadav, Rohini Hattangadi and Anupam Kher. Earlier, Shah Rukh had revealed that watching these actors act had an impact on him and made him realise the art of acting before he started in the entertainment industry.
In modern times, Shah Rukh Khan is one of the most famous faces in the world of films, and famous movies like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Chak De! are some of his works that are popular. He has been the writer of many such films, including India, Pathaan, Jawan and many more. But these are tales of the beginnings of a great journey.
Pankaj Kapur’s anecdote isn’t just a poignant reminder of the past, but a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the right environment to mould a young dreamer into one of the world’s biggest stars. Shah Rukh Khan’s story shows that anything can be started and achieved with dedication and hard work.
About the Author
