Himani Shivpuri opens up about her evolving relationship with Shah Rukh Khan

 

Mumbai: Veteran actor Himani Shivpuri, who is currently seen as Katori Amma in &TV's gharelu comedy Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, is one of most celebrated and respected artists in Bollywood and TV industry. In this candid chat, the artist goes down the memory lane and reminisces special moments with the Badshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan. 

Excerpts from the interview:

 

Q: Himani, you have had an extraordinary career spanning over four decades. What has been one of your most memorable experiences working with Bollywood's biggest stars?

 

Himani Shivpuri: Collaborating with stars like Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and Saif Ali Khan has been amazing, but my experiences with Shah Rukh Khan truly stand out. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the screen with him in iconic films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. His dedication, charm, and humility made every collaboration unforgettable.

 

Q: Can you share a lesser-known encounter with Shah Rukh early in your career?

 

Himani Shivpuri: Certainly! We worked together in In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones, which was a cult classic ahead of its time. At that time, Shah Rukh was just a struggling actor, and I didn’t even notice him back then! Years later, while filming Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, he approached me and revealed that we had worked together. I was taken aback—I had no idea he was part of that film! It was such a heartwarming moment to see that even after achieving superstar status, he remembered those early days fondly. After he mentioned it, I rewatched the film and saw him there, young, and eager. It filled me with pride to see how far he had come while remaining so humble.

 

How has your relationship with Shah Rukh evolved over the years?

 

Himani Shivpuri: Our relationship has grown based on mutual respect and admiration. Despite his immense success, Shah Rukh remains grounded and genuinely appreciates the people he has worked with. I recall the iconic saree scene in DDLJ. Even though his close-up was shot separately, he stayed present during our scene, reacting sincerely. That kind of commitment is what makes him special—not just as a star, but as a person.

 

It sounds like you hold him in high regard.

 

Himani Shivpuri: Absolutely. To this day, he admires my work, and I feel honoured that he included me in his list of top ten favourite actresses at an awards event. That recognition means a great deal to me.