From Fanboy to Shah Rukh's Co-Star: A Dream Realized and Lessons Learned

I was contacted by The Perfect Way casting in May of last year, asking to come in for a TVC for a particular gaming app. Following the standard inquiries regarding my availability, I was informed that a script would be provided to me and that I would need to submit a self-tape. I got the script almost right away after the call. I chuckled as soon as I opened the script. One of the two characters in the script had the name SRK, so I knew someone was playing a practical joke on me. No, it couldn't be the same SRK that controls both the Hindi film industry and our hearts and minds as a whole. Over time, fans from all over the world have come to regard this chant—S-R-K—as a kind of prayer. A faith, a feeling unto itself, an occurrence that only happens once in a lifetime. I had the slightest chance, thanks to my fate, to be in the same frame as him. Naturally, that assumes my audition goes well and I make an impression on the appropriate people.

Gathering my courage, I started recording the audition. I sent in my tape, doing the best I could, with very little hope. I've learned from life not to get my hopes up, especially when it comes to my career. It hurts more when dreams are dashed the more optimistic one is. I worked toward putting the audition behind me and moving on almost as soon as I was finished.

After less than a week, I got a call one night and heard the most amazing thing: "You've been chosen to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the TVC!" After exchanging a few more essential details, I thanked the person who had called and ended the call. By this point, I was pretty sure in my mind that I was being played.

When my airline tickets arrived, I started to believe. It was true back then that I was going to fly to Mumbai to shoot with the legend himself at the famed Mehboob Studios. Later on, I would learn that my director, the perpetually cheerful and incredibly kind Hemant Bhandari, was the reason this dream had come true. I had the honor and privilege of collaborating with him on a previous TVC, and upon viewing my audition video, he instantly recognized me and set me up for this project.

I was in a trance for the next couple of nights, until my departure. I attempted to encapsulate my thoughts on this. The significance of Shah Rukh Khan's transformation from a gaunt actor on Doordarshan's show Circus to an anti-hero who instilled in my young mind an oxymoronic mix of fear, love, and hatred, and finally to a hero who taught my generation to believe in love, was what mattered most to me as a child.

Above all, I had made up my mind to ask him the one question I really wanted to ask him when I did find myself in his presence. Why can't there be more Mohan Bhargavs, Kabir Khans, or Dr. Jehangir Khans, as much as we adore the Rajs, Rahuls, or Vikram Rathores? As his biggest fan worldwide, my sister Tina Mukherjee, would appreciate it if he could record a brief greeting for her. I had no idea that I would be too stunned to say or ask anything at all when the time finally came.

There's a tap on the door

At last, the day came. I was still having trouble realizing how big of a reality I was when I walked into Mehboob Studios. They led me to my make-up van. I asked if Hemant sir was here yet. When I first met him, we greeted each other. I cried as I thanked him, thinking he had no idea how much of an opportunity he had given me. He presented the other members of the crew to me. I reported for my costume trials after that. And so the long wait started. Not wanting to step on any toes in front of the Badshah, I spent the remainder of the day practicing my lines inside the confines of my van.

A few scenes from the TVC

Eventually, my vanity van's door was knocked on. I was asked to report to the set by the chief assistant, Rahul, by the way. My knees went to jelly instantly. It seemed like the longest walk of my life as I made my way from my van to Mehboob Studios' fourth stage. My heart was hammering against my rib cage and I could feel a lump in my throat. The production assistants escorted us to the set with umbrellas as it was a rainy day in Mumbai. I was already perspiring profusely beneath my costume, despite their best efforts to keep me and it dry. I took my marks after the director's team explained the shots, and then I patiently waited for Shah Rukh sir in a corner of the set.

It's said that humans could sense Titans' presence from a mile away when they roamed the planet. Every step they took was felt by them, and they could sense their approach. This also applies to our King. All of a sudden, I could hear activity happening on the sets. The stage's enormous metallic doors glided open, revealing the instantly recognizable Mercedes with the number 0555. Shah Rukh Khan, the legend, stepped out of the car.

Every person around him was grinning and showing their respect and admiration for the man. His presence appeared to have fulfilled everyone on the set's purpose. When asked about our greatest dream, almost all of us, regardless of the department or role we were in, had the same response when we first started out: to work with, for, or alongside Shah Rukh Khan. For all of us, that day marked the realization of that dream.

I got a call from SRK. Debu

From now on, this day and its memories will sustain a glimmer of hope even in the most dire circumstances, regardless of the curveballs life throws at us or how choppy the seas get. I learned something from Shah Rukh sir right away. My thoughts drifted back to an awards ceremony he had hosted years before. He called actors and directors of the films that had been nominated for Best Picture on stage for brief conversations throughout the evening. Additionally, Hrithik Roshan had a film nominated. Shah Rukh Khan, dressed in full Krrish regalia and strung up on wires, descended from the ceiling as Hrithik entered the stage. That's how he carried on his mid-air conversation with Hrithik. Then, as Hrithik returned to the audience, SRK screamed, "Arrey, koi mujhe niche utaaro," pretending to be stuck. "I should have asked Duggu to bring me down while he was on stage, he almost did bring me down with his very first film," was the joke's punchline.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

Debopriyo Mukherjee

Of course, I was astounded by his wit and sense of humor, but I was most struck by his overwhelming confidence. To be able to crack a joke like that, a superstar must be both humble and grounded, as well as confident and at the top of his game. Returning to Mehboob Studios, the legendary figure before me acted as though he had no idea how famous he was. His amazing smile seemingly fixed on his lips, he interacted and mixed with everyone on set with complete and genuine humility. He treats people with an example of kindness.

Hemant Sir and Shah Rukh Sir began talking about the sequence, and after a while, Hemant Sir called out to me. Hemant sir also calls me Debu, as do many others in Calcutta. I hesitated a moment before introducing myself to Shah Rukh sir as Debu, wondering if I should say my full name right away. But before I could make up my mind, Shah Rukh sir introduced himself and held out his hand to shake mine. "Hello, my name is Shah Rukh Khan, Debu!" Yes, exactly, as if he hadn't introduced himself, I would have been in the dark. Regarding my name, Shah Rukh Khan dubbed me Debu, and that's what it is called now. I would even be willing to write an affidavit.

At last, the camera began to roll, and we began filming. It's unlikely that I felt particularly anxious on my very first day in front of the camera. But Shah Rukh Sir calmed me down. We needed to be somewhat coordinated for a certain shot. "Beta aap aisa karo, aap main timing samajh paunga ek sound kar do toh." Imagine that—the King of Kings—speaking so kindly to a Bengali actor. We had numerous exchanges like these during our photo session, and the more I saw of him, the more I realized why he is adored by everyone. We had completed our portions eventually, though I wish the shoot could have continued. Less than two hours later, SRK had given me lessons and memories that would last a lifetime.

That evening, I returned to my hotel, had dinner, took a bath, and went to bed. I sobbed as soon as my head hit the pillow. I was overwhelmed, but I'm still not sure why or for what reason. I sobbed until my tears stopped flowing and then fell into the most tranquil slumber of my life. It had been a day of miracles in my life. That day, a simple boy from Calcutta who had high hopes but was quickly losing the ability to dream met a simple boy from Delhi who had once dared to dream big. The boy from Delhi reminded the Calcutta boy why we do what we do and why, in particular, we should never give up on our dreams, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Above all, we must occasionally extend our arms and imagine that we are flying. As for learning to fly, our next lesson is not too far off, especially with Dunki right around the corner.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.