‘He hadn’t slept for days’: Hina Khan recalls waiting for photo with Shah Rukh Khan on flight

In their recent podcast, Hina Khan recalled her first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan, while Abhinav Shukla spoke about a respectful gesture from the superstar.

3 min readMumbaiAug 23, 2026 04:01 PM IST

Hina Khan on first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan. (Photos: Hina Khan, Shah Rukh Khan/Instagram)

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has never failed to impress fans and celebrities alike. In fact, those from the industry who have met the actor have often praised him for being respectful. In the latest episode of the podcast The POV, featuring Hina Khan, Rubina Dilaik and Abhinav Shukla, Shah Rukh became one of the topics of discussion. While Hina Khan recalled her first meeting with SRK, Abhinav spoke about a respectful gesture from the superstar. Rubina, meanwhile, recalled how SRK was trolled during Aryan Khan’s arrest.

Hina Khan on her first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan

Sharing how she met Shah Rukh Khan on a flight, Hina Khan recalled, “The first time I met SRK, we were on the same flight. It had been a year and a half since my show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai had started. I was very new in the industry. I saw him sitting next to me. I took a deep breath and saw again that he was sleeping. I couldn’t believe it. I was anxious to get a photo, but he wasn’t waking up. Somehow he woke up for coffee. I waved a hi to him and asked if I could get a picture. He said, ‘Wait, I’ll give you a photo.’ He had his coffee, and went back to sleep. I kept waiting. Once we landed, I thought I missed the chance, but he got up, called me, and clicked a picture. We were also in the same coach later. He went to the last seat and slept. He was promoting some film at the time and hadn’t slept for days.”

Also Read: Niki Walia recalls Shah Rukh Khan’s secret hospital visit after car accident: ‘He saw the van’

Abhinav Shukla also recalled his first meeting with Shah Rukh and said, “My first meeting with SRK was when I was fresh off the boat from Punjab and modelling in Mumbai. We were doing a ramp show for a watch brand, and we were backstage. We saw SRK enter; it was the first time I saw him. I decided to go and shake his hand. He was talking to his manager, then he looked at me, got up, and shook my hand. That defines the character of that man.”

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On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan is currently shooting for his upcoming film King, which also stars his daughter Suhana Khan.

Nawaz Javed Kochra

Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector. Experience & Career Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media: The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments. Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media. Expertise & Focus Areas Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include: Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles. OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres. Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends. Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community. Authoritativeness & Trust With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More

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