Shah Rukh Khan has often been described as one of Bollywood’s most generous stars, and filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan has now shared another story that reinforces that reputation. In a recent episode of her cooking vlog featuring actor Shreyas Talpade, Farah reminisced about the making and promotion of Happy New Year, revealing how Shah Rukh personally ensured that the film’s entire team got to celebrate its grand premiere in Dubai.
The conversation took place during Farah’s visit to Shreyas Talpade’s home, where she was filming alongside her longtime cook, Dilip. As the two actors looked back on their memorable collaborations, including Om Shanti Om and Happy New Year, they recalled several behind-the-scenes moments that highlighted Shah Rukh Khan’s appreciation for the people working behind the camera.
Shah Rukh Wanted the Entire Team to Celebrate
Farah revealed that unlike most film premieres, where only the lead cast, producers, and a handful of key members are invited, Shah Rukh believed that everyone who contributed to a film deserved to share in its success.
According to Farah, the superstar personally paid to fly nearly 50 members of the Happy New Year team to Dubai for the film’s international premiere. The group included technicians, assistant directors, the Director of Photography (DOP), music directors, and other crew members who rarely receive the spotlight despite playing an important role in a film’s production.
Farah said it was Shah Rukh’s way of acknowledging everyone’s hard work and making sure they experienced the excitement of the film’s release together.
The Cast Was Too Tired to Enjoy the Premiere
While recalling the lavish event, Farah also shared a humorous memory from the night. She laughed that the promotional tour leading up to the release had been so intense that by the time the premiere screening began, the lead cast was completely exhausted. Instead of enjoying the film on the big screen, several members of the cast reportedly fell asleep during the screening after weeks of nonstop travel and promotions. The anecdote offered a lighter glimpse into the demanding schedules Bollywood stars often endure before a major release.
Not the First Time Shah Rukh Did It
Farah pointed out that Shah Rukh’s generosity wasn’t limited to Happy New Year. She recalled that during the release of Om Shanti Om in 2007, he had also flown members of the team to London for the film’s premiere. However, she joked that the earlier trip was much smaller.
“That time, you were just four people, but in Happy New Year, he took 50 people,” she said while teasing Shreyas Talpade.
Supporting the Industry Beyond His Own Films
The conversation also touched on other examples of Shah Rukh Khan’s willingness to help fellow filmmakers. Farah revealed that Red Chillies Entertainment had waived a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) fee of ₹42 lakh for the Marathi film Deool Band 2. According to her, the producers were struggling with the cost, and Shah Rukh chose to forgo the payment to support quality regional cinema.
Shreyas Talpade Recalls Shah Rukh’s Personal Help
Shreyas Talpade also shared a heartfelt story dating back to 2007 when he was trying to buy his first home. After being told he was ineligible for a bank loan, Shreyas mentioned to the bank manager that he was working on Om Shanti Om. The manager requested official proof of his involvement in the film.
Shreyas reached out to Farah Khan, who conveyed the situation to Shah Rukh. Within two days, the superstar personally signed and sent a formal letter confirming Shreyas’ role in the film. According to Shreyas, the bank approved his home loan the very same evening after receiving the document.
The stories shared by Farah Khan and Shreyas Talpade once again paint a picture of Shah Rukh Khan as someone who values every member of a film unit and is always willing to extend a helping hand, whether by celebrating a team’s success together or quietly supporting colleagues when they need it most.
