After making a smashing debut with the television series Fauji, Shah Rukh Khan gained further recognition with the 1989 serial Circus. On the occasion of SRK’s 60th birthday, his Circus co-star and first on-screen heroine Renuka Shahane spoke to SCREEN about his work ethic, charming nature, and love for acting. She revealed that Shah Rukh initially had no desire to become a film star, and it was his mother who wanted to see him on the big screen.
During the heartwarming conversation, Renuka revealed that although Shah Rukh received a lot of recognition after his debut show, he wasn’t interested in joining the film industry. She shared, “He was already a TV star after Fauji. I think the kind of craze I have seen for him after Fauji was while we were shooting for Circus. We were surprised. je didn’t even want to go into the film industry at that time. He was very happy doing television.”
The actor added, “People would also say that he should be a film star but Shah Rukh Khan told them that theatre, television, this is his space. It was only later that he kind of went into the industry. Maybe because his mom was very keen that her son should become a film star. And oh my God, what a film star he has become.”
Renuka Shahane also shared that she had a hunch that Shah Rukh Khan would become a huge star one day. “I always knew if he does make it, he would make it big, because he has the right attitude, the greatest talent and he is extremely witty off screen as well. He has that energy and intensity for his work which hasn’t reduced till date. He really is the kind of superstar that we all cherish. I am very proud of him,” she said.
Recalling SRK’s respectful nature on set, the 49-year-old shared, “I can recall one thing which really tells you what a gentleman Shah Rukh is. The way he makes other people feel, even the people who aren’t generally higher in the hierarchy. The way he communicates to the spot boy, the costume guy, the light people and everyone. He made them feel comfortable and happy about meeting him. He would never discriminate.”
She continued, “He was always very protective of his female colleagues. That goes to show how well read you are as a person. So, these two qualities are something I have seen at a very early age. And, I can tell you that nothing has changed even after his success. I have met him on and off, not for a very long time though.”
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Renuka Shahane and Shah Rukh Khan‘s 1989 television series Circus was directed by Aziz Mirza and Kundan Shah. It also featured Makarand Deshpande, Pavan Malhotra, Ashutosh Gowariker, Neeraj Vora, and Hyder Ali. It aired on DD National channel.
Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events.
Experience & Professional Background
Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include:
The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam.
Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include:
Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth.
Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era.
On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan.
South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More
