On Shah Rukh Khan’s 60th birthday, Moneycontrol revisits King Khan's remarkable journey through the eyes of the man who gave him a home when he had none, filmmaker and actor Viveck Vaswani.
In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, Viveck Vaswani shared rare, heartfelt memories of the young boy from Delhi who went on to become Bollywood’s global icon.
In this exclusive talk, Viveck Vaswani recalled Shah Rukh’s grit, his unshakable ambition, and his undying loyalty, qualities that Viveck says still define him and his children, Aryan and Suhana.
“It still surprises me that people remember after 40 years,” Viveck begins, the mix of pride and disbelief clear in his voice. “I was the man who gave him a house to stay for two years. He didn't have a place to stay. He was living out of Aziz Mirza’s office while acting in Circus. I told him it’s more comfortable in my house. With the blessings of my parents, mera toh ghar thode tha, mere mummy daddy ka ghar tha, he came and stayed.”
When SRK didn't want to do movies because of his mother's illness
Viveck revealed that at the time, Shah Rukh wasn’t even sure he wanted to do films as his mother was unwell and hospitalised in Delhi.
“He didn't want to do films. It was only after his mother died that he decided he would like to. So, we set up Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman. But I cannot make a film. I don’t have to give him a film, I had to give him a career. A career doesn’t come by giving one film, it comes by giving saleability.”
Viveck says SRK’s entry into cinema was never impulsive and they both made a plan and would visit producer's homes, study cinema. Viveck says his aim at that point was to make SRK saleable.
“We worked out a plan. He’d do three or four other films, no matter how big or small the roles, provided they were saleable. So 'King Uncle' happened, where Jackie Shroff was the lead and he was the second lead. Then came Hema Malini’s 'Dil Aashna Hai' and Rajiv Mehra’s 'Chamatkar'. Once we saw that 'King Uncle', 'Dil Aashna Hai' and 'Chamatkar' were sold, then 'Deewana' came into the picture. I thought it was a great role for him because of the music. Then we started 'Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman'. The first strategy was to make him saleable and then make him a star," he said.
My job was to make Shah Rukh Saleable
During the further course of our conversation, Viveck adds with quiet satisfaction, “My job wasn't to take credit for launching him. My job was to make him saleable, get him the first five movies, make sure there was stability and then move on. Which I did, and he did.”
When asked about their relationship, one that SRK has often described as his first family in Mumbai, Viveck is pragmatic and says when he looks back he only sees 'a lot of hard work' they both had put it.
“He was living in my house. He needed a career. We were both stressed. We had to meet producers every day, make him saleable, talk cinema, go to movies, meet people, understand how cinema worked. Of course, there will be a bond. But when I look back, I only see a lot of hard work that he and I put in.”
SRK and Viveck
Life before and after DDLJ
While the world often credits Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) for making Shah Rukh Khan a phenomenon, Viveck says that his superstardom came much earlier.
“Right after that, Prem Lalwani signed him for Guddu and gave him a big amount. He was able to buy a flat and a car. Baazigar became a hit much before Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ). It was a super hit. Don’t forget he did 'Darr' too. 'Baazigar, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Deewana' all super hits. Even before DDLJ, he was already a superstar.”
SRK and Kajol in DDLJ
Released in 1995, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) became a cultural phenomenon and it redefined romance on Indian screens. Though Shah Rukh Khan had already delivered hits like Deewana, Baazigar, Darr, and Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman earlier, Dilwale turned him into the eternal lover boy, cementing his superstardom across generations and global audiences.
SRK was a success because he was disciplined and also ruthless
We asked Viveck about his one question, what setsShah Rukh apart and pat comes the reply SRK's 'relentless discipline' and how he worked harder than his contemporaries. He also calles him 'ruthless.'
“He worked harder than the others. He was more ambitious. He was ruthless. (we asked him why?) What could he do? I gave him a house, but do you know how difficult it is to stay in somebody's house? To work and live without money? To be grateful to somebody all your life? He had to get out of all this, earn his own money, build his own stardom, marry the girl he loved, build his family. Nothing had to come in the way, so nothing did," says Viveck with all praise for his friend whom he made saleable as there was no middle way. It was either success or failure as Viveck puts it.
Comparing him to his contemporaries, Viveck said Shah Rukh Khan didn't belong to any film background unlike Aamir Khan or Salman Khan, whose parents were from the film fraternity.
“Aamir also worked hard, but he came from Nasser Hussain’s family. Salman was Salim Khan’s son. Abhishek was Amitabh Bachchan’s son. Hrithik was Rakesh Roshan’s son. Except for him (SRK) and Ajay Devgn, the rest had opportunities. Ajay and Shah Rukh did it the hard way. They worked their way through every obstacle. That’s what made him different. And there were no excuses for failure," he tells us over this long telephonic conversation.
A still from Raju Bann Gaya Gentleman
No Vanity Vans for SRK initially, real stars don't do such things
Viveck fondly recalls the simplicity of the early industry days. He said there was no concept of vanity vans and rather he would send his spot boy to make sure that SRK's make up room was clean.
“There were no vanity vans, no entourages. When we shot at Mehboob or Filmistan studios, I would send my spot boy to clean the makeup room for Shah Rukh and make sure the bathroom was clean. Then they became bigger stars and wanted vans, chefs, drivers. Real stars don’t do such things. Shah Rukh and I used to go to parties wearing just shirt and pant — no airport looks, just work.”
On how much SRK has evolved and changed, Viveck says offcourse he should change and would have changed.
“Would a child in first standard be the same as a PhD? There will be growth, knowledge, success. The boy reciting ABCD now has a doctorate in aeronautics. Of course, he's different and he should be. His age, wealth, understanding, everything has evolved,” said Viveck, who is now a Dean of Pearl Academy.
Talking about SRK’s elder children, Suhana and Aryan Khan, Viveck says he has only praise and blessings for them.
When asked about the ongoing nepotism debate, Viveck Vaswani had a clear response and says he would also support Aryan and Suhana like he would for his own children.
Earlier this year, Gauri Khan, renowned interior designer and wife of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, had rented a 2BHK, 725 sq ft apartment, in Mumbai’s Khar West for their staff at a starting monthly rent of Rs 1.35 lakh, according to documents accessed by Zapkey. (Photo: X)
“Woh toh dost tha, ye toh beta hai. He’ll do everything he can for his son. And if he called me and said do anything for Aryan and Suhana, I would do it too. Where’s the problem in helping youngsters? I bless them and wish them all the success. I thought Suhana was very good in Archies. I thought Aryan directed The Bads of Bollywood very well. I’m fully supportive. They’re Shah Rukh’s kids — I’d support them even if it wasn’t that good, like I would my own children," he says.
Quieter life
After decades in the industry, Viveck Vaswani has chosen a quieter life. “I had cancer. I spent two years battling it. I’ve cured myself. Between looking after my students and my school, there wasn’t time. But it’s all come back now. I acted in Manukya Kari, in Flight. There’s a lot going on. I just don’t shout about it. Now, to shout, you have to pay to shout — so I’d rather not.”
When asked what their bond means today, he smiles. “We are friends. If he calls me at 2 am in the morning, I’ll be there. If I call him at 2 am in the morning, he’ll be there too. That’s all that matters.”
Viveck Vaswani has had a multifaceted career in the film industry as an actor, producer, and mentor.
He featured in memorable films like Josh, English Babu Desi Mem, King Uncle, and Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman alongside Shah Rukh Khan.
Talking about Viveck Vaswani, over the years, he has acted in Gawaahi, Patthar Ke Phool, and Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman to name a few.
As SRK turns 60 on November 2, we see the legacy he has built and see him not just as an outsider but a man who came a long long way from sharing a friend’s home in Mumbai to becoming the global face of Indian films. Shah Rukh Khan's story in Bollywood remains the ultimate blueprint for self-made success.
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