Lehar Khan says Shah Rukh Khan looked after ‘his girls’ amid Jawan’s chaotic schedule: ‘Gave the warmest hugs’

Lehar Khan revealed how more than her, it’s her mother who was excited about her sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan. She also recalled her childhood memories around the superstar and how the film left her family overjoyed. “My mother is the biggest SRK fan. I often tell people that I have been his fan ever since I was in my mother’s womb. My parents tell me that as a baby, when I cried, they would play his songs and I would immediately calm down. I have grown up on his films and there was a long period when no other actor’s movie played at my home. So you can imagine how excited everyone was when I got the film. I remember I was being all nonchalant on the phone and jumped with excitement,” she said recalling the moment when she was confirmed for the part in Jawan.

When asked if she told all this to King Khan, the actor smiled to say she’s quite shy in front of him. “Also, I feel there must be 10 lakh people coming up to him saying they are his fans. There’s nothing new about it. But I am sure he could see that in my eyes when we worked together.”

‘SRK looked after us during Jawan shoot’

It’s often said that you shouldn’t meet your stars as it changes your opinions about them. However, Lehar mentioned that the saying doesn’t hold true for Shah Rukh, as when one meets him, you become a bigger fan. “At heart, he is such a beautiful person. Whenever he is talking, there’s so much humility. He is also so caring, and kind and assures that everyone around him is comfortable and happy. Jawan was a hectic film for him as he played a double role and had to wear prosthetics, yet amid all the messy, chaotic environment, he was all out taking care of his girls, as he calls the six of us. He also has the warmest hugs to give. I think one is a fan of him as an actor and when they meet him, they become a fan of him as a person.”

When asked to pick her favourite scene from Jawan, Lehar Khan, after a deep thought, chose Vikram Rathore’s entry scene. She mentioned how she was rooting and cheering for him as soon as he entered the screen minutes before the interval. The actor added, “Not just on screen but I remember while we were shooting for it, we were all awe-struck. It was the first time we were seeing him in that new look. When he started with the action, I was like ‘Who’s Azad, let’s talk about Vikram’ (laughs). We were dumbfounded with that avatar.”

‘Jawan- a turning point in my life’

The young actor stated that even if Jawan doesn’t emerge as a turning point in her career, it has definitely become a turning point in her life. Recalling her experience of watching the film at Gaiety Galaxy, Lehar said that the packed theatre went silent when Kalki’s flashback was playing. And as soon as she picked up the hammer, the hall erupted in joy, cheering for her. “I couldn’t believe that I was getting such a reaction from the audience. I realised that’s the biggest joy an actor lives for. After that day, I have found a new energy to do what I do. Something in me has changed internally and I am raring to go. It also made me imagine what Shah Rukh sir must be feeling when people cheer for him as soon as he is on screen. That love is so inspiring and infectious and you’d do everything to get that in life.”

The team had recently met at Mannat to celebrate the success of the film. When asked if SRK had some words of wisdom for them, the actor said, “That day was all about celebration. There was a lot of dancing on Zinda Banda. I think we weren’t in the space to give feedback as it was all about pure joy as the film opened to such big numbers.”

Also starring Nayanthara, Deepika Padukone, Sunil Grover, Sanya Malhotra, and Priyamani among others, Jawan has already netted more than Rs 520 crore worlwide.