Recap: Nana Patekar bailed out SRK after he walked into journalist’s office with a knife

Shah Rukh Khan, arguably India’s biggest global star, is an embodiment of charm, grace and charisma — a superstar on an unparalleled scale: a fireball of energy, an acting maestro, a wondrous stage presence and a quintessential entertainer seemingly made of pure stardust.

But like all humans, SRK — or “Baadshah”, as his fans lovingly call him — has evolved over the years through pain, despair and dejection, eventually rising to stardom: fame and glory both on-screen and off-screen.

Of the many anecdotes from his life, one stands out: something he revealed in an interview at THINK 2012 — a moment when he lost his temper and did some truly frightening things.

“I fought, got into physical altercations, and did unpleasant things that, in Delhi, are often seen as normal. What I didn’t realize was that elsewhere such behavior is viewed as nasty. So, I ended up behaving very badly,” he confessed.

He recalled an incident in which he lost his temper after a magazine suggested he was close to a co-star. Viewing it as an invasion of privacy, he phoned the female journalist seeking clarification, but the conversation deteriorated into a heated exchange marked by anger and resentment. He admitted his response reflected the blunt and aggressive side of his Delhi upbringing, making him sound far harsher than he would today.

Shah Rukh, who was then newly married to his soulmate Gauri, called the journalist over the phone, asking how she could spin such a rumor. The journalist bluntly replied that she had linked Shah Rukh with his co-star just for fun, which further ruffled the actor.

Things escalated quickly. SRK said he went to the journalist’s office intending to confront those responsible.

He apparently carried the ceremonial kukri gifted by his father-in-law during his wedding to the magazine office. In a reckless moment, he intimidated a boy present in the premises by thrusting the blade near him, and even threatened the boy’s family. Looking back, he said he was baffled by his own actions.

The confrontation quickly led to legal trouble. Police intervened, and he was taken into custody later that day — timing that, he felt, complicated his chances of being released. From the lock-up he was allowed a single call; instead of contacting a lawyer or relative, he used it to issue further threats to the journalist.

His situation worsened until fellow actor Nana Patekar intervened, arranging his bail and helping him navigate the immediate fallout. He expressed gratitude for that support while reflecting on the gravity of his past behavior.

From an “angry young man” to the affable “King Khan” who has been ruling India’s entertainment landscape for decades, Shah Rukh Khan — like many of us — has been vulnerable, emotional and tender. Through the years he has grown and spread love; today he is, in fact, a better person — a wonderful human being in addition to a superstar.

This year SRK’s crowning glory came when he was adjudged Best Actor at the 71st National Film Awards for his performance in the blockbuster film Jawan. (With inputs from Agencies)