Sukhwinder Singh Thought Shah Rukh Khan Was Drinking ‘6 Pegs’ Daily, Not Building 6-Pack Abs For Dard-e-Disco

It’s been nearly two decades since Om Shanti Om took over theatres, but the film — much like its music — continues to live rent-free in the hearts of Bollywood fans. Among its many chartbusters, Dard-e-Disco became a nationwide obsession, not only for its infectious beat but also for showcasing Shah Rukh Khan’s dramatic physical transformation. However, behind this iconic song lies a hilarious mix-up that singer Sukhwinder Singh recently shared — one involving “six packs” and “six pegs.”

“I Thought He Was Talking About Drinks, Not Abs!”

In a conversation with Faridoon Shahryar on his YouTube channel, Sukhwinder recalled his funny misunderstanding with SRK during the making of Dard-e-Disco. “Shah Rukh called me and said, ‘I’m working very hard,

making a six-pack.’ But we were on the phone, and the line wasn’t very clear. I thought he said ‘six peg,’” the singer laughed.

He added, “Later, I told Farah Khan, ‘Yeh banda kamaal hai, six peg se neeche baat nahi karta!’ (This guy doesn’t talk without six pegs.) She burst out laughing and said, ‘He said six-pack, not six peg!’ That’s when I realised my mistake.”

“I Danced While Recording Dard-e-Disco”

Sukhwinder also revealed that he wanted the recording to feel as energetic as the song itself. “I told them to fill the studio with bouquets and place two mics because I can’t sing this one with a straight face. I needed to dance while singing. If I moved away from one mic, the other would still catch my vocals,” he said, adding that the energy in the room matched the mood of the song.

Composed by Vishal–Shekhar and penned by Javed Akhtar, Dard-e-Disco captured the spirit of early 2000s Bollywood — larger-than-life, self-aware, and irresistibly fun.

The Legacy of Om Shanti Om

Released in 2007, Om Shanti Om marked Farah Khan’s second directorial venture after Main Hoon Na and remains one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most celebrated films. A mix of reincarnation drama, satire, and heartfelt tribute to Hindi cinema, the movie starred Deepika Padukone in her debut role alongside SRK, with Arjun Rampal, Shreyas Talpade, and Kirron Kher in pivotal roles.

The film followed the story of Om Prakash Makhija, a 1970s junior artist who is reborn as superstar Om Kapoor to avenge his death and reclaim his love, Shanti Priya, played by Deepika. Its flamboyant storytelling, self-referential humor, and emotional core made it a blockbuster, grossing over ₹150 crore worldwide — a monumental figure at the time.

The soundtrack, featuring songs like Ajab Si, Main Agar Kahoon, and Dard-e-Disco, became a cultural phenomenon. SRK’s six-pack abs became a national talking point, symbolising the star’s reinvention and Bollywood’s shift toward a new era of glamour and fitness-driven appeal.

Fifteen years on, Om Shanti Om remains an essential part of India’s pop culture lexicon — a film that balanced parody and passion, nostalgia and modernity — and, thanks to Sukhwinder’s “six peg” mix-up, a reminder that even icons have their funniest behind-the-scenes moments.