Girija Oak recently opened up about working with Shah Rukh Khan at the time his son, Aryan Khan, was in jail after the NCB raid on a cruise ship in October 2021. In her recent interview with Siddharth
Kannan, the Jawan actress recalled SRK’s humility and the ability to work under emotional stress.
Girija On Working With Shah Rukh Khan Amid Personal Crises
“I have shot with him in very difficult phases of his life,” Girija told Kannan. She said Shah Rukh Khan did not let his inner turmoil affect his work. Over a year after Aryan Khan’s arrest, Pathaan hit the theatres in 2023. With a worldwide box office collection of Rs 1050.3 crore, the film was a hit.
“People took Pathaan personally — as if it was a form of vengeance. It was almost like people took it upon themselves personally to make this film a hit,” Girja continued.
According to the actress, most people bought tickets and watched Pathaan in an act of solidarity. “I told him that today, so many people in this country would want to tell you that we are with you… I just wanted to hold your hand and say that we are with you,” she recalled telling Shah Rukh Khan.
Girija On Shah Rukh Khan’s Ability To Stay Calm
Even though Shah Rukh Khan went through so much in his personal life, he never let his personal distress affect his behaviour on set. “Not once did he lose his cool on set. He never shouted at anyone. He always showed up on time and did his part well,” Girija said.
“We shot with him for many months. I truly saw him through all these phases,” she added. Girija also said that amid controversy regarding his presence at Lata Mangeshkar’s funeral, SRK “chose silence”. And during his son’s arrest, he took a break from public appearances.
“When we met him again, the matter was almost over. And he was the same person — professional, composed, dignified,” she said.
Girija On Shah Rukh Khan’s Humility
Although Pathaan was a box office hit, Girija said SRK never boasted of his success. “Even after the success, there was no arrogance,” Girija said. She recalled that SRK never said he had “made a super hit film”. As Girija recalls, in his own words, the Jawan actor had only said: “We didn’t think it would be such a big hit, it’s a good thing, thank God”.
