Actress Juhi Chawla, one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most popular co-stars and closest friends, recently opened up about her long-standing bond with the Bollywood superstar. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Juhi reminisced about their early days in the industry, their hit films together, and what makes SRK such a persuasive personality.
Juhi and Shah Rukh first starred together in Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992), a film that marked the beginning of a remarkable on-screen partnership. Recalling her first impression of him, Juhi said, “When I first signed Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Vivek Vaswani told me my hero looks like Aamir Khan. So I was in for a shock when I saw Shah Rukh with hair up to his eyebrows — not the chocolate boy I had imagined.”
However, her surprise soon turned into admiration. “Once I started working with him, I realised he was not like a newcomer at all. He worked relentlessly, doing three shifts a day. During the shoot of Yes Boss, if a scene wasn’t written up to the mark, Azizji (Mirza) would say, ‘Let Shah Rukh come; he will make it all work out.’”
‘He can convince you to do anything’
Juhi further revealed that SRK’s charm extends far beyond the screen. “He has a way with words and can convince you to do anything. I remember being unsure about Duplicate because I didn’t have much to do in it. We were shooting another film, and I remember SRK making me sit on the steps and convincing me for two hours to sign the film. He can convince you to do anything, so one has to be careful,” she laughed.
The actress also recalled how the two often shared a natural chemistry in scenes that combined romance and humour — something that made their pairing a fan favourite in films like Yes Boss, Duplicate, and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani.
A friendship beyond films
Talking about their enduring relationship, Juhi said their connection has gone beyond movies. “God has kept us connected even through the IPL. Rather than design, our bond is because of destiny,” she concluded.
Juhi and Shah Rukh are co-owners of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in the Indian Premier League, and their friendship continues to remain one of Bollywood’s most cherished off-screen relationships.