Renuka Shahane reveals Shah Rukh Khan didn’t want to enter films, says his mother wanted him to be a movie star: ‘He was happy doing television’ | Bollywood News

After making a smashing debut with the television series Fauji, Shah Rukh Khan gained further recognition with the 1989 serial Circus. On the occasion of SRK’s 60th birthday, his Circus co-star and first on-screen heroine Renuka Shahane spoke to SCREEN about his work ethic, charming nature, and love for acting. She revealed that Shah Rukh initially had no desire to become a film star, and it was his mother who wanted to see him on the big screen.
During the heartwarming conversation, Renuka revealed that although Shah Rukh received a lot of recognition after his debut show, he wasn’t interested in joining the film industry. She shared, “He was already a TV star after Fauji. I think the kind of craze I have seen for him after Fauji was while we were shooting for Circus. We were surprised. je didn’t even want to go into the film industry at that time. He was very happy doing television.”
The actor added, “People would also say that he should be a film star but Shah Rukh Khan told them that theatre, television, this is his space. It was only later that he kind of went into the industry. Maybe because his mom was very keen that her son should become a film star. And oh my God, what a film star he has become.”
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Renuka Shahane also shared that she had a hunch that Shah Rukh Khan would become a huge star one day. “I always knew if he does make it, he would make it big, because he has the right attitude, the greatest talent and he is extremely witty off screen as well. He has that energy and intensity for his work which hasn’t reduced till date. He really is the kind of superstar that we all cherish. I am very proud of him,” she said.
Recalling SRK’s respectful nature on set, the 49-year-old shared, “I can recall one thing which really tells you what a gentleman Shah Rukh is. The way he makes other people feel, even the people who aren’t generally higher in the hierarchy. The way he communicates to the spot boy, the costume guy, the light people and everyone. He made them feel comfortable and happy about meeting him. He would never discriminate.”
She continued, “He was always very protective of his female colleagues. That goes to show how well read you are as a person. So, these two qualities are something I have seen at a very early age. And, I can tell you that nothing has changed even after his success. I have met him on and off, not for a very long time though.”Story continues below this ad
Renuka Shahane and Shah Rukh Khan‘s 1989 television series Circus was directed Aziz Mirza and Kundan Shah. It also featured Makarand Deshpande, Pavan Malhotra, Ashutosh Gowariker, Neeraj Vora, and Hyder Ali. It aired on DD National channel.