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We studied together at Jamia Millia Islamia, moved in the same theatre circles and I lived near Gautam Nagar where Shah Rukh grew up. He was always a hit with girls. When he was studying mass communication he used to come to our canteen with cigarette and girls for company. One of his activities those days was to take out letters from the car labels. Like u from Maruti. He was with Act One theatre group but he also started his own small group Tag. Once he told me that one of the reasons behind endorsing Tag Heuer was its name. It reminded him of his day of struggle. I think he utilised his real life naughty image to the hilt but I never thought that there is a serious side to Shah Rukh on screen till I saw Chak De. With one film he has almost bridged the gap between the star and the actor.

Though Fauji was aired first, Shah Rukh started shooting first for Dil Dariya. He came to drop a friend who was an actress’s daughter working in the serial when I spotted him. It was his destiny…I don’t take credit for his success. I don’t rate Shah Rukh as the best actor of the times. There are better actors around like Pankaj Kapur and Naseeruddin Shah. But he is definitely the biggest star at present and one of the best human beings around. This is one of the reasons for his success. He made me feel so comfortable when we worked together in Swades. Whenever we meet he touches my feet. People find it surprising, but it’s natural for him.

I first interviewed him when I was with Star Movies and I still remember this quote. “Every kid dreams to be a Superman…wearing his underwear over his pants and the cape. I am one of the fortunate ones to be able to live this dream.” What makes Shah Rukh special are his vast reserves of energy and the ability to accept challenges. When I offered him KBC, he just asked one thing: ‘Has Bachchanji opted out of it’?”

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