Mumbai: Comedian Gursimran Khamba, who famously shot a podcast with Shah Rukh Khan nearly a decade ago, recently opened up about his experience visiting the superstar’s iconic Bandra home, Mannat, during an episode of his new podcast with wife Ismeet Kohli.
SRK’s hospitality leaves a lasting impression
Khamba, a former member of the now-defunct comedy collective AIB, recalled filming an hour-long podcast with Shah Rukh, which remains widely circulated on social media to this day. Speaking candidly, he said that celebrities naturally felt at ease during such conversations, given that he and his colleagues did not conduct conventional interviews.
“Everything people say about SRK’s grace and hospitality is 100% true,” Khamba said. He shared that Mannat featured a 24-hour kitchen, where food and drinks were constantly available, and the actor enjoyed finger foods throughout the day. “The North Indian in me was very happy instantly,” Khamba remarked.
He also highlighted Shah Rukh’s impressive book collection, noting, “When he has a book in his library, you know he has read it, unlike many others who keep books just to look intelligent.”
Recollections of Irrfan Khan
Khamba also spoke about his interactions with the late Irrfan Khan while filming the unreleased Prime Video show Gormint. Visiting Irrfan’s home around the same time as Mannat, Khamba jokingly mentioned the luxury and abundance of snacks at SRK’s house.
“This seemed to trigger Irrfan into thinking he wasn’t being as gracious a host,” Khamba said. He added that Irrfan immediately started offering him additional snacks, with his wife Sutapa asking if he wanted anything else each time. “It was cute,” Khamba recalled.
Podcasting beyond conventional interviews
Khamba’s reflections underline how unconventional formats, like his podcasts, allow celebrities to relax and share candid stories. His SRK podcast, in particular, remains popular for its spontaneous and humorous moments, offering fans an intimate glimpse into the superstar’s personality and Mannat’s lavish interiors.
The comedian’s new podcast with Kohli continues this trend, exploring topics from behind-the-scenes experiences in Bollywood to personal anecdotes, giving listeners a mix of humour, nostalgia, and insider stories from the film industry.