Vir Das, the globally recognized comedian, actor, and director, has often spoken about the profound impact Shah Rukh Khan has had on his life and career. Das, who arrived in Mumbai with a suitcase full of dreams, sees Khan as the epitome of someone who came to the city with nothing and became its king.
In an interview, Vir Das shared his experience of visiting Shah Rukh Khan's residence, Mannat, when he was about 25 or 26 years old. He recounted how he was ushered into SRK's study after it was announced that someone had come from Vir Das. According to Das, SRK jokingly asked if his name was actually Vir Das or if he had just come from him. They then engaged in a conversation about jokes, during which Das admitted that he didn't find one of the jokes funny. Khan, in response, welcomed Das's opinion and asked him to explain what he found funny. Das was struck by the fact that someone at Shah Rukh Khan's level was willing to listen and learn from him, a newcomer.
Das has also shared an incident where he wrote jokes for Shah Rukh Khan. However, when SRK went on stage, he improvised and came up with something even better. Das acknowledged that not everyone can pull that off, but SRK always does.
Vir Das was present at the premiere of The Archies in Mumbai. Following his International Emmy win for Best Comedy in 2023, Das met Shah Rukh Khan at the premiere. SRK grabbed him and kissed him on the cheek, expressing his pride. A photo captured the candid moment of them sharing a laugh.
On an international podcast, Das described Shah Rukh Khan as the "biggest star in the world" in terms of fan base and reach. He mentioned that every Sunday, thousands of people wait outside SRK's house. When asked what attracts people to Shah Rukh Khan, Das attributed it to his charisma and his relatable story of arriving in Mumbai with nothing and becoming the "King of Bollywood".
Das believes that in Mumbai, there's room for everyone's dream. He likens it to a crowded Mumbai local train, where people make space for others to get on board. He feels that Mumbai embraces dreams, whether practical or not, and offers support. He also stated that Mumbai is a city where one's success doesn't come at the expense of someone else's success.
