Pathaan actor Akash Bathija on Shah Rukh Khan: He is a 21-year-old with the excitement of a first-time actor

‘We joked on set sometimes that even SRK doesn’t know he is SRK,’ he added 
Akash Bathija with Shahrukh Khan
Akash Bathija with Shahrukh Khan

Pathaan has turned out to be a phenomenal success and celebrations are in order for Akash Bhatija, who stands out from the film’s fine ensemble. The actor had shared most of his screen space with SRK himself, Deepika Padukone in the climax and Dimple Kapadia.

Talking about the experience of working with SRK who returns to the silver screen after his 4-year hiatus, the actor says, “Right before the first day of shoot with SRK sir, in my head, I was rehearsing things that I could say to him. But on the day of the shoot, when he entered with his entourage, I was just left dumbfounded. Within seconds he was the first one to reach out, shake my hand and give me a hug. His aura radiates such charm and positivity.”

Longevity in movies comes from enthusiasm, Akash had deduced after working with SRK. He adds, “As the shoot progressed, we all realised that we weren't really shooting with SRK sir, we were shooting with a 21-year-old boy, who has the enthusiasm of an actor doing his first film. He was as pumped about the last shot of the day as much as the first.”

“Whether it was the action sequences or just dialogues. He made sure you are comfortable. He treated us with the same warmth and respect as he treated a senior actor like Dimple Kapadia. We used to make a joke on set - "humein lagta hai ki Shah sir ko khud hi nahin pata hai ki woh Shah sir hain" (I think Shah Rukh sir doesn’t himself know he is Shah Rukh Khan). His humility astonished us. He's too chill to be SRK.”

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