In a recent interview, Girija Oak, known for her role in "Jawan," shared her experiences working with Shah Rukh Khan during a particularly challenging period in his personal life. She revealed how the superstar maintained his composure and professionalism despite the turmoil surrounding his son, Aryan Khan, and other difficult moments.
According to Oak, the period when Aryan Khan was arrested and faced legal battles coincided with their work on "Jawan". Despite the emotional stress and media attention, Shah Rukh Khan remained dedicated to his work and ensured that his personal problems did not affect the film's production. "I have shot with him in very difficult phases of his life," Girija told Siddharth Kannan, noting that the Aryan Khan episode unfolded during their time on "Jawan". She emphasized that Shah Rukh never allowed his inner turmoil to affect his work.
Oak highlighted Shah Rukh Khan's composure and dignified behavior during those months. "Not once has he lost his cool. He has never shouted at anyone. He always showed up on time and did his part well," she said. She added that observing him over two years gave her insight into his true character, noting that such behavior could not be faked over an extended period. "We shot with him for many months. I truly saw him through all these phases," she affirmed.
Addressing the media speculation about the impact of these events on Shah Rukh Khan, Oak pointed out that he chose restraint. Immediately following Aryan's arrest, he withdrew from public appearances and film shoots for several months. "When we met him again, the matter was almost over. And he was the same person — professional, composed, dignified," she explained.
Oak also shared an incident where Shah Rukh Khan apologized to the entire crew after a minor mistake during a scene. "During the shoot, Shah Rukh once made a mistake while delivering a dialogue. He immediately apologized to everyone—from the juniors onwards—saying, 'Because of me, you'll have to do one more take... sorry,'" she recalled. This humility and consideration impressed Oak, who noted that "A star of his stature didn't need to do that, but he did,".
Furthermore, Oak remembered Shah Rukh Khan's concern for the safety and comfort of his female co-stars. She recounted an instance in Chennai where he ensured their transportation to Atlee's birthday celebration was secure. She also described the challenging conditions on set, where the temperature was kept unusually low to prevent Shah Rukh Khan's wig from causing excessive sweating. Despite the discomfort, he remained considerate of everyone's well-being. "If the environment wasn't cold enough, he would sweat excessively because of the wig. But this meant the rest of us were freezing. Once the shot was ready, everyone would remove their jackets and prepare for the scene," Oak shared.
Oak also recalled a heartfelt conversation about parenting. During night shoots, Oak shared her concerns with Priyamani about not seeing her son due to conflicting schedules. Shah Rukh Khan, who was nearby, revealed that he was experiencing the same difficulty in meeting his children. "He said, 'Same, same...we are parents'," Oak stated, reflecting on the shared challenges of balancing work and family.
Girija Oak also commented on the public's response to "Pathaan," which was released after the controversy. She described the outpouring of support as deeply emotional, stating, "It was almost like people took it upon themselves personally to make this film a hit,". She conveyed this sentiment to Shah Rukh Khan directly, telling him, "So many people in this country would want to tell you that we are with you...I just wanted to hold your hand and say that we are with you,".
Oak was also invited to a party at Shah Rukh Khan's residence, Mannat, and found his family to be warm and down-to-earth. She also praised Shah Rukh Khan's attention to detail in his work and his non-interfering nature as a co-star.
