Rajkumar Hirani On Working With Shah Rukh Khan On ‘Dunki’: He Is An Amazing Actor, Was Enamoured His Charm

Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani and Shah Rukh Khan were earlier set to collaborate on ‘Munnabhai MBBS’. However, things did not fall into place, and Sanjay Dutt was roped in for the titular character and the film emerged to be a hit. Now, the two collaborated for the first time in ‘Dunki’, and the filmmaker recently mentioned how he was keen to work with the actor ever since he first saw him in the television show ‘Circus’. 

Hirani, who has been making movies for over twenty years now, said that despite working on the most successful films, he had a long harboured dream to work with SRK.

“I recall watching this series called Circus and I vividly remember the scene including the camera angle where one actor was performing and delivering a monologue. I didn’t know who he was but I loved his performance. I told myself once I passed out from school, I would approach him and make a film,” Hirani said to News 18 in an interview. 

“It took me two years to graduate from the film institute and by that time, Shah Rukh Khan had become a huge star (laughs). So, I had to wait for 20 years to collaborate with him on a film,” Hirani added.

Finally, he talked about working with the ‘Dunki’ star and said how he was enamoured by his charm. 

Hirani said, “I would put on an eye mask and earplugs when he was giving a shot. Once he finished, my assistant would tell me ‘Sir shot khatam ho gaya hai,’ (the shot is over) and then I would open my eyes (laughs). Jokes apart, he is an amazing actor and an even better person.”

As for ‘Dunki’, the film released in theatres against ‘Salaar’. The film has not been too successful to pull the audience to the theatres, and has managed to bring in Rs 50 crore in its first two days. Along with SRK, it also features Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, Vikram Kochhar and Anil Grover. 

Nonetheless, SRK fans have been excited to see him on the silver screen. The first show of ‘Dunki’ was showcased at Mumbai's iconic Gaiety Galaxy. Fans brought party poppers and confetti to the first-day show of the film.

In 2023, SRK had already witnessed a win at the box-office with ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Jawan’.