Dev Anand's Stern Words to Shah Rukh Khan: A Bollywood Tale of Mentorship
In a delightful revelation from Bollywood's golden era, Dev Anand's close friend Mohan Churiwala has shared intimate stories about the late superstar's interactions with Shah Rukh Khan. These anecdotes highlight the deep respect between two iconic actors from different generations.
The Smoking Intervention at Anil Ambani's Party
Churiwala recalled a memorable moment from 2009 when businessman Anil Ambani hosted a grand party. This celebration marked Reliance Entertainment's joint venture with legendary Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg. At this glittering event, Dev Anand noticed Shah Rukh Khan sitting nearby, discreetly smoking by bending down to exhale the smoke.
Dev Anand approached the younger star with genuine concern. He said, "Shah Rukh yaar, tu kyun smoke karta hai? Tu kitna achha ladka hai. Chhod de, isko chhod de." This translates to, "Shah Rukh mate, why do you smoke so much? You're such a nice boy. Just quit this."
Shah Rukh Khan responded with a respectful smile, promising, "I will try." Churiwala emphasized that Shah Rukh held immense respect for Dev Anand, making this exchange particularly meaningful.
The London Cafe Encounter with Gauri Khan
Another charming incident occurred in London at a five-star hotel café. Dev Anand was enjoying coffee with Churiwala when Shah Rukh's wife Gauri Khan and her friend Sussanne Khan spotted them from a nearby table. The women excitedly approached the veteran actor.
Initially, Dev Anand did not recognize them. Churiwala quickly helped identify the visitors. When Gauri Khan greeted him with "Hello sir!" Dev Anand responded warmly, "Hi Gauri, how are you?"
Gauri expressed surprise, saying, "Arey sir, you identified me!" Dev Anand replied graciously, "Who doesn't recognize you?" Overjoyed, Gauri immediately called Shah Rukh Khan to share that she had met Dev Anand for the first time and he knew her by name. He extended the same courtesy to Sussanne Khan, creating what Churiwala described as "achha khasa drama" or some nice drama in the restaurant.
Shah Rukh Khan's Lifelong Lesson from Dev Anand
Shah Rukh Khan has publicly acknowledged how Dev Anand's wisdom shaped his career philosophy. In 2018, during a send-off ceremony for the Indian Paralympic contingent heading to the Asian Games, Shah Rukh was asked about handling failure.
He revealed that Dev Anand once told him, "When I see you I feel if you would stop working, you will be finished." This advice stayed with Shah Rukh throughout his decades-long career.
Shah Rukh explained his approach: he works ten to twelve hours daily without regretting failures, simply moving forward to the next project. He neither dwells on success nor halts due to criticism, embodying the relentless spirit he learned from Dev Anand.
These stories beautifully illustrate the enduring bond between Bollywood legends, showcasing mentorship, respect, and the timeless values that connect different eras of Indian cinema.
