Shah Rukh Khan was told to quit Bollywood even before starting by this cricket legend. 'They will eat you...'

Time of India

4 days ago

Before
Shah Rukh Khan
became a household name in
Indian cinema
, he had already gained popularity on television with shows like Fauji and Circus. Cricketer-turned-commentator
Navjot Singh Sidhu
recently shared a story from the time when SRK was still on the cusp of fame. In an interview on the Magic Moments YouTube channel, Sidhu recalled a conversation they had in Lucknow, where the young actor approached him as a fan.
According to Sidhu, Khan expressed his admiration by saying, 'Sir, I am a huge fan,' to which Sidhu responded with equal enthusiasm, telling him that he watched him daily on TV. The cricketer remembered that even Kapil Dev, who was present at the time, asked about Shah Rukh. Sidhu told him confidently that this young man was destined to become a star.
A Strong Warning About Bollywood
The turning point in their interaction came when Shah Rukh shared his plans to move to Mumbai and try his luck in films. Sidhu recalled being alarmed by the decision, saying he told SRK, 'Teri mat maari gayi hai?'—a Hindi phrase expressing disbelief. Concerned, Sidhu advised him that surviving in
Bollywood
required strong backing, especially since his parents were no longer alive to support him.
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Sidhu then offered a blunt warning: 'There's cutthroat competition there. They will eat you like a sausage for breakfast.' Despite this, Khan remained calm and undeterred. When asked if he had thought it through, SRK replied, 'Sidhu saab, I will manage.' His response, as remembered by Sidhu, demonstrated the kind of self-belief that would eventually become a trademark of his career.
Shah Rukh's Confident Comeback
Sidhu recalled SRK's composed reply to the warning: 'Sidhu saab, can I say something? I don't compete with anyone. I am my own competition.' Sidhu was deeply impressed by this attitude, noting that such confidence could only come from someone who truly knew himself. He praised Shah Rukh for his humility and said that even today, the actor remains as polite as he was back then.
Abhishek Bachchan, during a separate appearance on Sidhu's show, also spoke highly of Khan. He reportedly said, 'He is the only guy who is not insecure.' According to Sidhu, only those who are fully secure in who they are can remain unaffected by the pressures of fame.
From those early days of television to becoming one of Bollywood's most celebrated actors, Shah Rukh Khan's journey has been extraordinary. After a triumphant return to cinema with Pathaan, which crossed Rs 1,000 crore globally, he followed up with hits like Jawan and Dunki. Currently, he is working on King, a film directed by Siddharth Anand. The movie reportedly features his daughter Suhana Khan along with Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Abhay Verma, and Saurabh Shukla.