Shah Rukh Khan reveals reason behind turning down Rajkumar Hirani's Munnabhai MBBS & 3 Idiots

Rajkumar Hirani with Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan has collaborated with Rajkumar Hirani for Dunki. It is their first film together. It is a well-known fact that the director had dreamt of working with the actor. On Thursday, Shah Rukh celebrated his birthday with his fans at an event in Mumbai. During the special event, the superstar revealed the reason behind not being able to work with Rajkumar on projects like Munnabhai MBBS and 3 Idiots.

Shah Rukh shared, "When Raju was narrating Munna Bhai to me, I thought, ‘naya director hai kar hi lega agar main bolunga 6-8 mahine baad karenge (He is a new director, he will agree if I will tell him that I will do it after 6-8 months). So, I told him I would do it after 9 months. But he went away. Then when he came for 3 Idiots, I again thought, how big he would have become. Then again he went away. That is when I decided ki ab chance nahi lena. So, when he narrated Dunki, I caught him in the Covid-19 bubble and told him not to go away this time."

Rajkumar, who had approached Shah Rukh for the central roles in Munnabhai MBBS and 3 Idiots, shared, "I used to study at a film institute and I used to wonder, ‘I am graduating from here, but who would work with me?' I used to look at big stars like Bachchan sahab and think, ‘Why would a star like him work with me?' So, one day, in my hostel's TV room, I was watching Circus. In a particular scene, a young actor was performing at a platform. It was a big monologue. I thought, ‘Who is this guy? This is so wonderful. He is not a big actor. I can take him in my film after I graduate."

The filmmaker further added, "It took me two years to graduate from the film institute and by that time he had become a big star."

The highly-anticipated glimpse of Dunki was released on Shah Rukh's birthday. Titled Dunki Drop 1, the superstar wrote on Instagram, "A story of simple and real people trying to fulfill their dreams and desires. Of friendship, love, and being together… Of being in a relationship called Home! A heartwarming story by a heartwarming storyteller. It's an honour to be a part of this journey and I hope you all come along with us. The #DunkiDrop1 is here…#Dunki releasing worldwide in cinemas this Christmas."