PremiumShah Rukh Khan on finally collaborating with Rajkumar Hirani for Dunki: Both of us have become so big for each other that it took some time
After years of anticipation since Rajkumar Hirani's days at the film institute, his visionary dream of directing Shah Rukh Khan has finally come to fruition in the upcoming film Dunki.
Last Updated: 07.23 PM, Nov 02, 2023
Before finally working on Dunki, Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani were set to collaborate for the first time on the filmmaker's directorial debut, Munna Bhai MBBS. Then they were set to work together on 3 Idiots which did not happen. Their upcoming film, Dunki, is set to end the year with a bang, and the first teaser dropped earlier today. On the occasion of Shah Rukh's 58th birthday, the superstar attended a fan event along with Hirani and Abhijat Joshi. During the event, the filmmaker spoke about the first time he thought of directing SRK for a film.
Rajkumar Hirani's journey to directing Shah Rukh Khan
Hirani told the audience in Hindi, which loosely translates as "Before I tell you how it was working with him, I will tell you a small story. I used to study at the film institute; I came from Nagpur, so when we were about to pass out, there was a lot of anxiety about learning to make films and who would work with us on films outside. All the big stars like Bachchan Saab, why would Bachchan sir work with us? So many people graduate from our institute. So, at that time, there was a group in the hostel where there was a television, and we used to watch something or the other at night. So, an episode of Circus was running. I still remember seeing a scene on the platform where one young actor was performing, and there was a long monologue. I thought, 'Who is this? He is so wonderful,' and he is not a big actor. I will graduate and sign him."
He added, "It took two years to graduate from the institute; by then, he had become so big that there was no chance he would work with me."
Shah Rukh Khan's determination for Dunki
While sharing his side of the story, SRK said, "The same thing happened to me when Raju was telling me about Munna Bhai MBBS. I said he is a new director; he will do it. I said we'd do it after two months or nine months, but he went ahead. Then he came for 3 Idiots, so now that what has become so big has also become bigger, when they went for 3 Idiots, I thought there was no chance. So, this time in COVID, I caught him in a bubble. I said, 'Please don't go this time; make this film with me.' I didn't even let Raju meet the other actors; I still don't allow him to cast anyone in a guest appearance."
He concluded by saying, "Both of us have become so big for each other that it took some time, and now we have made a very lovely and small film."
Dunki also stars Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal in pivotal roles. The film is set for a theatrical release on December 22, 2023.