Shekhar Suman Shares Story of Shah Rukh Khan’s Generosity During Chalte Chalte

Actor Shekhar Suman has shared an anecdote about Shah Rukh Khan’s generosity during the making of Chalte Chalte. In an interview, Shekhar recalled how Shah Rukh personally approached him for a voiceover assignment and later gifted him an expensive watch after he declined to accept payment for the work.

Shekhar Suman recalls working with Shah Rukh Khan on Chalte Chalte

Speaking about the experience, Shekhar Suman said Shah Rukh Khan directly contacted him while working on the 2003 film Chalte Chalte, which starred Shah Rukh and Rani Mukerji.

“I remember when Shah Rukh was making Chalte Chalte and he needed my voice for the commentary in the film. So when the teaser came, he called me up directly after that, ‘Hi, it’s Shah Rukh.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, Shah Rukh.’ He said, ‘I would want you to come and give your voiceover for this.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll come.’ So I just went across and did that,” Shekhar said.

The actor added that Shah Rukh later sent him a “big cheque” as payment for the assignment. However, Shekhar said he declined to accept it because he considered the work a gesture between friends.

“And, he sent me a big cheque. And I said, ‘Look, this is between two friends, you know, this is not for money at all.’ But he wouldn’t listen. Shah Rukh being Shah Rukh, he sent me a very expensive watch the next time, which I still have. And, it’s a beautiful memento,” he said.

About Chalte Chalte

Directed by Aziz Mirza, Chalte Chalte released in 2003 and featured Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji in lead roles. The romantic drama also starred Satish Shah, Lillete Dubey, Johnny Lever, Jas Arora and Aditya Pancholi.

The film emerged as a commercial success and remains one of the notable collaborations between Shah Rukh Khan and Aziz Mirza.

Shekhar Suman on missing out on Devdas

In another interview, Shekhar Suman also spoke about an opportunity to work with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Devdas. He revealed that he had been offered the role of Chunnilal but could not take up the project.

“Sanjay Leela Bhansali had offered me the role of Chunnilal in Devdas but I couldn’t do that at that time. Then Jackie Shroff was cast in the role and it’s good that he did that role. But I had that regret in my life that I couldn’t work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali but my wish has been granted in Heeramandi,” he said.

Shekhar Suman later appeared in Bhansali’s series Heeramandi, which marked the filmmaker’s OTT debut.

Shekhar Suman speaks about social media and acting

During a separate conversation with India Today, Shekhar Suman also commented on the growing importance of social media visibility in the entertainment industry. He said strong performances matter more than online popularity and cited actor Akshaye Khanna as an example.

“Akshaye Khanna, for 10 years, was nowhere. No partying, no social media, no nothing. One performance and that’s it. He decimated all those notions about being seen,” Shekhar said.

He also stated that opportunities play a major role in shaping an actor’s career, adding that “an actor is nothing without opportunity.”

Upcoming projects

Shekhar Suman was last seen in Heeramandi. Shah Rukh Khan is set to appear in King, directed by Siddharth Anand. The film also stars Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Suhana Khan, Raghav Juyal, Arshad Warsi, Jaideep Ahlawat and Saurabh Shukla. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on December 24.