Long before he became the ‘King of Bollywood,’ Shah Rukh Khan was just another aspiring actor—until a twist of fate and a very honest opinion landed him his first big break. In a candid and humorous revelation, Fauji co-star Amina Shervani recently shared the unconventional story behind SRK’s casting in the 1988 television series. As it turns out, it wasn’t classic good looks that got him the part—but something far more expressive.
How a Call from SRK’s Mother Changed Everything
While speaking on the Kintu Parantu podcast, Amina reflected on her time in Fauji and shared an interesting backstory about how Shah Rukh Khan joined the show. She revealed that he wasn’t originally meant to be part of the cast, but a call from his mother, Latif Fatima, changed the course.
‘Too Handsome for Bollywood?’
Latif Fatima had reached out, hoping for a role for her son, describing him as very handsome. Amina, however, humorously recalled telling her that in Bollywood, male stars often succeed despite unconventional looks, while leading ladies are expected to be flawless. Ironically, this playful reasoning worked in Shah Rukh’s favour—and led to his casting in the show that marked his first step toward stardom.Amina went on to share that Shah Rukh Khan’s mother was persistent, and despite the initial hesitation, she eventually sent him to the set. When Amina saw him for the first time, she immediately called his mother back, convinced he had something special.Though she didn’t see Shah Rukh as conventionally handsome, she felt his highly expressive and animated face—what she called “elastic”—made him perfect for the screen. According to her, it was this unique quality that made him stand out and hinted at the star he was destined to become.
A Lighthearted Exchange
Amina also shared a lighthearted moment, recalling how Shah Rukh Khan playfully responded to her teasing by calling her a monkey in return. She praised his natural talent, noting that he was already a skilled actor before Fauji, thanks to his theatre background with renowned mentor Barry John.Actors with theatre experience, she said, often bring a strong foundation to screen roles—and Shah Rukh was no exception. His versatility was evident early on, and Fauji became the launchpad for what would grow into one of the most iconic careers in Bollywood. The once “expressive monkey face” went on to define an era of Hindi cinema, headlining blockbuster films and sharing screen space with the biggest names in the world over nearly three decades.