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This is an archive article published on March 4, 2024

Salman Khan was called a ‘flop actor’ to his face, Shah Rukh Khan lived in 1 BHK flat with a mattress: Nasirr Khan on Khans’ early days

From Aamir Khan nursing heartbreak post Laal Singh Chaddha, Salman Khan overcoming his flop phase to Shah Rukh Khan wanting to rule-- Nasirr Khan spills beans.

Acor Nasirr Khan recalls the journey of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.Acor Nasirr Khan recalls the journey of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. (Photo: Pooja Dadlani, Salman Khan/Instagram)

Actor Nasirr Khan has revealed how the Khans–Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir–were once before they shot to fame; navigating low phase, tiny houses but big dreams on their minds.

Late actor Johnny Walker’s son, Nasirr Khan had worked in films in the 90s and was a close friend of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir. In an interview with Siddharth Kannan,  Nasirr opened up about his journey with the Khans and recalled how he knew Shah Rukh from the time he came to Mumbai.

“We used to hang around a lot at Bandstand, he used to come a lot at Salman’s house also. Before he bought the bungalow (Mannat), we used to hang around there on the road at Bandstand. Me, Salman, Arbaaz, my brothers, Shah Rukh. Later when he became a star he bought that bungalow. When he had come to Mumbai, we would meet a lot, I would play video games with him!”

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The actor recalled how he would watch films of Shah Rukh Khan–Kabhi Ha Kabhi Naa, Raju Bangaya Gentleman– with him first day first show. They would go to Gaiety Galaxy, then Chandan theatre, and then Satyam, watch 15 films and then bounce to another hall.

“We did this till Baazigar and Darr, till the time he became a superstar. When Darr released, people had gone mad over him. I realised that, ‘Ab ye nikal gaya kyuki public paagal hogayi hai.’ When we meet today, it is the same thing, we are normal and casual.  I keep meeting Salman often and I recently also met Aamir.”

 

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Nasirr Khan said he recently met met Aamir, after the his Laal Singh Chaddha had bombed at the box office. The actor said the superstar was “very, very down” and revealed the two had a heart to heart conversation till three in the morning.

“I gave him the example of my father, that he also felt this at one point and left the industry, so I told him don’t take it (personally). Now he has come out of it and I am so happy he is back to work, is shooting, producing, acting. That’s what he is meant for, He is fantastic, he has also admitted the mistakes he made in the film and that is the best way to come out. You are going to see a better Aamir Khan.”

Low phases are a part of an artiste’s journey, Nasirr said as he recaleld the time when Salman was struggling for a hit film. In late 90s early 2000s, when Salman’s films were flopping, Nasirr said he had gone for dinner at a sea food place in Juhu.

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“There were some youngsters who wanted his autograph, but there was also someone who said, ‘Arey leave it, why bother with autograph of a flop actor.’ It is not that he didn’t hear, we all did. Back then, no one would send even a flower for his birthday. Today, it is a celebration.

“But Salman didn’t take it negatively. He came out stronger, bigger and better and see where he has reached today. It is that determination, tha

t drive. It is that drive that has got Shah Rukh Khan today, because he was like, ‘I want to rule.’ You need to have that drive and hunger, I didn’t have it, they did.”

The actor said the three Khans had always been sure about their desires and needs and continue to have their heads over their shoulders. Salman, he said, still lives in a 1 BHK while Shah Rukh bought a mansion after living in a house “so small that you would open the door and it would end.”

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“It was right behind his bungalow, with just had a hall, he would put a mattress and sleep there. Then he went to Carter Road and bought an apartment over there, which was also a normal flat. He could afford a bigger house by then, but he didn’t buy. He knew, ‘My dream is that, but let me first take care of my necessities.’ He didn’t have big fancy cars, drove around in normal cars,” he added.

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