Anupama Chopra's new book, King Of Bollywood profiles Shah Rukh Khan in a unique way, highlighting his life in New Delhi before he became a star, and life after.
The book also includes an interesting chapter on SRK's brush with the underworld.
Here's an excerpt from it about the time when the star received a call from the dreaded gangster Abu Salem, who was extradited from Portugal to face charges in India in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and other cases.
At the time, Shah Rukh was also shooting for Yash Chopra's Dil To Pagal Hai. Part of the film was shot in a nearby tourist town called Khandala.
One day, on the drive back, Shah Rukh received his first phone call from Abu Salem. In typical Mumbai street language, Salem asked, "Haan, kya chal raha hai" (What's going on?). Shah Rukh asked, "Who's this?" The question prompted a spate of choice Hindi curses. Shah Rukh didn't retaliate. He spoke politely but deliberately in English, situating himself and his caller in separate worlds.
Shah Rukh said, "What is the problem, sir?"
Salem replied that he was angered by Shah Rukh's refusal to work in a project being made by a Muslim. As a Muslim himself, Salem said, Shah Rukh should give his community some support.
In the picture: Shah Rukh with Madhuri Dixit in Dil Toh Pagal Hai.
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Also Read: Abu Salem: A dossier
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