Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan revealed that he adopts a meditative approach to life when not working, as he spoke at the inaugural day of the WAVES summit on Thursday.

Participating in a session titled ‘The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler’, the veteran actor reflected on his personal and professional evolution while also advocating for greater access to cinema across India. The WAVES summit is aimed at establishing India as a global centre for media, entertainment, and digital innovation.

“I don’t indulge in overworking, overthinking. When I am not on the sets, I don’t do anything. I am in a meditative state,” Shah Rukh said during a lively fireside chat with director Karan Johar and actor Deepika Padukone, both frequent collaborators.

The actor also underscored the need to make cinema more accessible across the country. “I still believe the call of the day is a lot more theatres, small theatres in small towns, cheaper theatres so that we can show more films to people in every corner of the country,” he urged.

Looking to the future, Shah Rukh expressed hope that platforms like WAVES would help streamline filming in India. “I hope shooting processes should become easier, not only for Indians but also for people coming from outside,” he said.

Reflecting on his younger days, the actor — who has risen from being an industry outsider to one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars — acknowledged the boldness that shaped his early choices. “I believe when I was brash, overconfident, reckless, and a lot more stupid. I’m happy I was like this, otherwise I wouldn’t have chosen the path I did with such wonderful people. I was a little gutsy also. Thank you, young Shah Rukh Khan, for being so cool,” he said with a smile.

The session drew considerable interest at the summit, which aspires to boost India's role in the global entertainment and digital ecosystem.