Shah Rukh Khan is known not just for his stardom but also for his kindness and grace. Actor-filmmaker Akashdeep Sabir, who has had several interactions with him, recently shared an interesting story about how SRK personally reached out to him regarding the title of his film Dunki.
The Origin of ‘Dunki’
During the pandemic, Akashdeep came across gripping stories of illegal immigrants braving extreme conditions to enter America through what is known as the ‘Donkey Route.’ Intrigued, he hired a writer to develop a television series, spanning four seasons, based on these real-life journeys. While finalizing a title, he considered several options, including The Donkey Route, The Road to Death, and Dunki.
Around the same time, filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani was developing a film with a similar theme, starring Shah Rukh Khan. As fate would have it, both parties found Dunki to be the perfect title. What followed was a conversation between SRK and Akashdeep, leading to an agreement on the name.
SRK’s Personal Approach
When Shah Rukh Khan learned about the title Dunki, he immediately reached out to Akashdeep Sabir, who had witnessed SRK’s early days in Mumbai when he first arrived to pursue acting. Akashdeep recalled in an interview with Lehren Retro that Rajkumar Hirani had come up with the same title idea, and when SRK asked him about securing the rights, he assumed no one had already claimed it. However, Hirani informed him that Akashdeep owned the title. Upon hearing this, SRK assured Hirani that there was no need to worry—he would personally speak with Akashdeep.
The Unexpected Call from SRK
Akashdeep recalled being in his editing room when he received a call from an unknown number. The voice on the other end casually introduced himself as Shah Rukh Khan. Initially, Akashdeep thought it was a prank. Having accompanied SRK on three world tours and witnessed his arrival in Mumbai with Vivek Vaswani, he had known the superstar for years. However, over time, they had lost touch.
A Second Call and Reunion Over Dinner
The second time Shah Rukh called, Akashdeep realized it wasn’t a prank. SRK politely introduced himself again and assured him that he had called at the wrong time. He shared his number, mentioning that he wasn’t on WhatsApp but could be reached via SMS. Once Akashdeep understood it was truly SRK, he apologized for his earlier confusion. Their conversation turned nostalgic when SRK asked if he still stayed up until 5 AM, just like before. The two reconnected over dinner, discussing family and old times. During their next meeting, Shah Rukh brought up the title Dunki and requested it. Without hesitation, Akashdeep agreed to hand it over.
Shah Rukh Khan then arranged a meeting with Akashdeep, Rajkumar Hirani, and the film’s team. During these discussions, they exchanged scripts to ensure there were no similarities or conflicts between their projects.
SRK’s Office Offers Payment, Akashdeep Declines
Akashdeep recalled that Shah Rukh’s office later contacted him to discuss payment for the title. However, he willingly gave it away, stating that he had no plans to use it and saw no reason to charge Shah Rukh Khan. Reflecting on SRK, he praised him as a true gentleman, highly intelligent, and deserving of his success.
Dunki, featuring Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal, was released in December 2023.
