Shah Rukh Khan, an icon of the Indian film industry, is often lauded for his devotion to his family. His public displays of affection towards his wife, Gauri, and their children, Aryan, Suhana, and AbRam are well-documented. However, in a recent revelation, paparazzo Varinder Chawla sheds light on why King Khan has increasingly shunned the media and photographers.
During an interview with Hindi Rush, Chawla recounted a telling incident involving Shah Rukh Khan. According to him, Chawla received a call from SRK’s PR team around the time when Khan’s movie, “Pathaan”, was released in 2023. His team had filmed the actor but chose not to use the footage, feeling it was an intrusion into his personal space. This deliberate decision was made in light of Shah Rukh Khan’s evident discomfort with being photographed in that context.
Chawla explained, “When we realized Shah Rukh Khan was unhappy, I took immediate action to get in touch with his PR team to inform them about the footage. I assured them that we wouldn’t use it and extended my apologies if it had infringed on his privacy.” This gesture was met with gratitude, and not too long after, SRK’s manager called Chawla to convey Khan’s thanks personally.
Reflecting on the interaction, Chawla reminisced about how surreal it was for him, transitioning from moments of chasing Shah Rukh’s car just to get a fleeting glance, to receiving a personal phone call from the star himself. “We spoke for over five minutes. During our conversation, I got a profound sense of his immense love for his children, particularly his son Aryan Khan,” Chawla shared. As a parent himself, Chawla empathized, understanding the agony SRK must have felt when negative reports about his son dominated the media.
Shah Rukh Khan, popularly known as SRK, had kept a low profile, especially following the troubling times his family faced. His son Aryan Khan’s arrest garnered wide media attention. Aryan was held in judicial custody for a month after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) conducted a raid on a cruise liner, where Aryan was present.
. Although Aryan was later acquitted, the incident left SRK deeply affected.
Recognition seemed bittersweet for Khan when, at the Indian of The Year 2023 ceremony hosted by News18, he opened up about the challenges faced by his family over the past few years. “The last four, five years have been a bit of a ride for me and my family. I am sure some of you also because of Covid and stuff. Most of my films flopped, a lot of specialists and analysts started writing my death-knell, some idiots did the same, which actually is the same thing, analysts and idiots. Not something that I really bother about,” he remarked candidly during his acceptance speech.
SRK further elaborated on the personal trials he endured, which included his son’s highly publicized arrest. “And then, at a personal level, a little bit of bothersome and unpleasant things also happened to say the least which made me learn a lesson that be quiet, be very quiet and work hard with dignity. When you think everything is good, and still know it in your heart when everything is good, suddenly out of nowhere, wham, life may come and hit you,” he added, hinting at the profound impact Aryan’s arrest had on him and his family.
Shah Rukh Khan’s silence and media aversion can thus be attributed to the emotional turmoil following Aryan’s arrest and the ensuing media frenzy. As a father, SRK was ‘so sad’ and upset, as cited by Chawla. The paparazzo admitted that the relentless pursuit of celebrity photographs had sometimes clouded the empathy needed during such sensitive family matters.
In summation, SRK’s cautious approach towards media interactions, especially photographs, stems from a protective instinct over his family’s privacy and dignity. This revelation also serves as a poignant reminder of the human side of celebrities, often overshadowed by their public personas. As fans and media alike, respecting their boundaries and understanding their struggles becomes imperative. After all, behind the glitz and glamour lies a family navigating life’s highs and lows like anyone else.
