Amitabh Bachchan praises SRK’s ‘never-say-die’ spirit, Rajkummar Rao recalls standing outside Mannat as a struggler

Mumbai: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan heaped praise on Shah Rukh Khan for his never-say-die spirit.

The actor recalled how the superstar remained determined in the face of challenges and inspired those around him.

The veteran actor’s words came during a candid conversation with Rajkummar Rao in an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, where Rajkummar also opened up about how Shah Rukh’s journey inspired him during his own struggling days in Mumbai.

Speaking about Shah Rukh Khan, who like him hails from Delhi, Rajkummar recalled how the superstar’s journey from a middle-class family in Delhi to becoming one of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars inspired him during his own struggling days.

“Sir, jaise ki woh khud Delhi se hain aur maine bhi kaafi kam umar mein soch liya tha ki mujhe acting karni hain. Aur ek aur baat Sir, mere mummy ke kamre mein humesha aapki ek poster hoti thi kyuki aap heen sabse number one rahe hain aur aap se hum sab inspire hue hain.” (Sir, since he himself is from Delhi, and I too decided at a very young age that I wanted to act. And one more thing, there was always a poster of yours in my mother’s room because you have always been number one, and we have all been inspired by you)

Rajkummar then spoke about how Shah Rukh’s journey inspired him. “Shah Rukh Sir ke journey se kaafi inspire hua main, ki kaise ek ladka Delhi se nikla, ek middle class family se, phir theatre kiya aur TV mein itne saare shows kiye aur fir bahut bada superstar ban gaya.” (I was greatly inspired by Shah Rukh Sir’s journey, how a boy from Delhi, from a middle-class family, went on to do theatre, then worked in several television shows and eventually became a very big superstar)

Recalling his own first days in Mumbai, Rajkummar revealed that he had initially arrived in the city for a television show but was not selected. Despite the setback, he continued to hold on to his dream of becoming an actor.

“Toh jab main pehli baar Mumbai aaya tha, ek show ke liye aaya tha par wahan selection nahi hua, lekin main hamesha aapke bungalow ke saamne aur Mannat ke saamne khada rehta tha.” (So, when I first came to Mumbai, I had come here for a show, but I wasn’t selected. However, I would always stand outside your bungalow and in front of Mannat)

His candid recollection prompted Amitabh Bachchan to share his own experience of working with Shah Rukh Khan. Praising the superstar’s attitude towards challenges, Amitabh Bachchan highlighted his never-say-die spirit and his ability to encourage those around him.

“Sir, main batata hoon maine unke saath kaam kiya hai aur woh aise insaan hain ki woh kisi bhi baat par haar nahi maante, koi bhi samasya ho woh sirf bolte hain aur saamne wale ka confidence kitna badhaate hain.” (Sir, let me tell you, I have worked with him and he is the kind of person who never gives up on anything. Whatever the problem may be, he simply speaks up and boosts the confidence of the person in front of him)

IANS