Ahaan Panday recalls ‘uncle’ Shah Rukh Khan looking after him as a child: ‘Incredibly generous’

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What Ahaan learnt from Shah Rukh Khan

However, Ahaan’s equation with Shah Rukh Khan goes beyond inspiration, he has witnessed the superstar’s personality off-screen.

“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what I’ve learnt. Because so much of it happens subconsciously when you’re growing up. If anything, it’s been those quiet, internalised cues rather than something tangible or external. All I can say is that they’ve been incredibly generous as a family. They really looked after me when I was a child. I got to experience a lot because of them. I still remember my first trip to Dubai during Christmas holidays; that was because of them.”

When SRK watched Ahaan’s short film

Ahaan said that the superstar’s public image closely mirrors who he is in private.

“With Shah Rukh Khan, what you see is truly what you get. He is as kind and intelligent as people believe. Even when the cameras aren’t on him, he has this rare ability to make you feel seen, to make you feel like you matter.”

He also recalled a personal moment when Shah Rukh took the time to watch and give feedback on a short film he had made as a teenager.

“I remember Fifty, the short film I made long before Saiyaara. I went to him and said, ‘Uncle, I’ve made a short film, can I show it to you?’ And this is Shah Rukh Khan, probably the busiest man around. But he took out the time. He sat with me for an hour and a half, watched it more than once, went through the teaser and trailer and even gave suggestions on how to make it more engaging. I was 17. That tells you everything about who he is. What you see is what you get with him. There’s really no one like him.”

Ahaan’s friendship with Aryan Khan

Ahaan also spoke warmly about Aryan Khan, expressing happiness over his creative journey.

“And Aryan Khan. I’m just genuinely happy for him. He’s finally doing what he’s always wanted to do. His first show, Bads Of Bollywood, connected with so many people and it’s great to see that kind of acceptance. He’s incredibly creative, with a mind that stands apart and I think the world deserves to see that.”

When asked whether he and Aryan could make for a compelling director-actor pairing on screen, his answer was a yes.

“Yeah, in the future, why not? Not for anything superficial, not because of Bads or Saiyaara, but because of a real bond,” he said.

Talking about his bond with Aryan, he said, “When you grow up with someone, it’s different. There was a time when he’d land from Kent and before even meeting his parents, he’d come straight to my house. His parents would call me asking why he was like that. When you share that kind of history, there’s so much you understand about each other, so much to explore as performers. Working together wouldn’t feel like work. It’s something I’d genuinely look forward to.”

About Ahaan Panday

Ahaan Panday made a strong debut with Saiyaara, Mohit Suri’s romantic musical backed by Yash Raj Films, where he starred opposite Aneet Padda. The film emerged as one of the highest-grossing romantic titles in Indian cinema, with the duo quickly becoming one of Bollywood’s most talked-about debut pairings in recent years. Ahaan also won the Breakthrough New Actor (Male) award at Chetak Screen Awards 2026.

He is currently shooting for an action-entertainer directed by Ali Abbas Zafar.