Amrita Rao, who played a pivotal role in the iconic ‘Main Hoon Na’, recently opened up about her experiences working with Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Sushmita Sen.In a conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia on his YouTube channel, she recalled how SRK, despite juggling shoots for ‘Main Hoon Na’ and ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’, took time out during his lunch break to meet her and her mother. She said that the superstar took that one hour of his lunch break to tell her that ‘I have met many newcomers, but you have the quality of being a superstar.’ She says, “He said something very profound that ‘200 films will come, but we have to do only two films and that has been my criteria of choosing work.’”
Shah Rukh’s focus and first-take magic
Amrita also reflected on Shah Rukh’s dedication on set, noting how he rarely believed in second takes. “He was different at that time. He was funny, the sense of humour came along with him. But I think he was a little reserved, focused and very much into character..” said the actress.Amrita further said that what she loved about Shah Rukh was that he was observing that he has newcomers with him. She said, “He took that energy from us, and every single time his first take was the best take, there were no second takes. His temperament was, I don’t want to give a second take. That’s what we learned from him.”
Sushmita Sen’s warmth and SRK’s National Award
Amrita also recalled that before filming with Sushmita, she had met her at a party and was impressed by the actress’s way of complimenting people. She said, “After the party, Sushmita offered to drop me home. When we reached, she said, ‘I will come home.’ It was 2 a.m., and there was Miss Universe sitting on my couch—I couldn’t believe it. She told my mom that at the party, among all the girls, she noticed me. She even said, ‘When my daughter Renee grows up, I want her to be like you.’ It was such a heartfelt compliment from someone I had always looked up to.”Beyond SRK, Amrita also recalled her encounter with Sushmita Sen. “At the party, there were all these girls and there was Sushmita. She told my mom, ‘When my daughter Renee grows up, I want her to be like you.’ What a compliment from someone I looked up to.”Recently, Shah Rukh Khan was awarded his first National Award for ‘Jawan’ at the 71st National Awards on September 23. His wife Gauri Khan shared a celebratory post on Instagram, writing, “What a journey it’s been @iamsrk. Congratulations on winning the National Award!!! So deserving… it’s a result of your years of hard work and dedication. Now I’m designing a special mantle for this award.”
