Full of wit, banter, charm, and charisma—here are SRK’s best responses from the Jawan success press conference

It’s been a terrific two weeks for the Jawan team as the film not only won the audience’s hearts, but ruled the box office with a tremendous ₹907.54 crore earning so far. Be it the high-octane action, the social messaging, or Shah Rukh Khan showing why he continues to be the Badshah of Bollywood, Jawan continues to rule the roost.

Last week saw the cast and crew of the movie, which included director Atlee, SRK, Deepika Padukone, Vijay Sethupathi, music composer Anirudh Ravichander, and rapper Raja Kumari, celebrate the film’s success at the YRF studios in Mumbai. With SRK known to refrain from media interactions prior to his films, one couldn’t wait to hear what the man had to say. And boy, did he not disappoint. 

Here are some of SRK’s best responses from the Jawan success press conference. Get ready to have a smile that’s as wide as the actor's arms when spread.  

SRK explains the meaning of Jawan
One might think that the title of the film is self-explanatory. But Shah Rukh Khan thinks otherwise. “Jawan in emotion, Jawan is an Indian soldier, Jawan is an Indian mother, Jawan is an Indian girl, Jawan is an Indian vigilante. And you have to understand that Jawan, many times, is very weak because he is all of us. And many times, he is ready for a fight. Jawan, is wrong many times, but very-many times, he is also right. Jawan, sometimes, will live in the darkness, sometimes, Jawan will be the one who will be emitting the light. And finally, all of us, and every Indian is Jawan, who is upright. Please remember that."

SRK talks about how Deepika Padukone came on board 

SRK mentioned that the thought of approaching Deepika for Aishwarya in Jawan came when she was shooting for Pathaan's Besharam Rang. He said, “I have to tell you how I asked Deepika. It was on the sets of Pathaan and that day she was doing Besharam Rang and I was sitting. I asked Pooja (Pooja Dadlani, SRK's manager) 'ye maa ka role karegi?' (Will she do the role of a mother?). So Sir, I am looking at Deepika do Besharam Rang and I think she will be very good as a mother. I will be honest with all of you. Pooja must have gone to her for two seconds and then comes back and says 'yeah, whenever you say, just tell Atlee sir'. I know it was very large hearted and we are very close to each other. We love each other like family. For her to have done this, as an actor, is very gutsy."

Padukone then added that SRK and Atlee flew down to see her and narrate her role when she was shooting for 'Project K' in Hyderabad. She said that the length of her character didn't matter as much as the impact that her role would create. 

Atlee reveals he narrated the script to SRK over a Zoom call
It was SRK who first approached Atlee to make a film for him. Revealing his first meeting with SRK, Atlee said, “I was busy shooting for Bigil and all of sudden I got a call from Shah Rukh sir’s office. I flew to Mumbai and met Khan sir. It was a moment to cherish all my life. He humbly said, ‘I want to work with you.’ I was surprised to hear this. I replied, ‘Sir, it’s a great honour for me but I am just four films old.’”

Atlee also added how fortunate he considers himself to work with Shah Rukh Khan. He revealed that he narrated the script to the actor over a Zoom call, "During the Covid time I narated this script over a zoom call."

Mera toh jawaab hi nahi: SRK
Shah Rukh also heaped praise on the film’s cast, including actors Deepika Padukone, Vijay Sethupathi, Sunil Grover, and his gang of six girls, played by actors Sanya Malhotra, Priyamani, Girija Oak, Lehar Khan, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, and Aaliyah Qureishi. “Deepika Padukone is stunning, all the ladies in the film are beautiful, Vijay Sethupathi is outstanding, Sunil Grover is amazing. Aur mera toh jawab hi nahi.. (I am just great). But the real heroes and heroines of this film are the technicians who worked on this film for four years,” said Shah Rukh.

He added, “Very seldom do we get an opportunity that we live with a film for so many years. The film has been in the making for four years. There are so many people who shifted to Mumbai and have been living here since. So many people had children here, including our director Atlee.”

Shah Rukh Khan and Atlee also had a fight during shooting 
However, Shah Rukh Khan also revealed having a fight with Atlee as “he is mass and I am class." Shah Rukh shared, “Every time I thought I have done a cool shot, Atlee sir would be like, ‘No, this is mass and not class. I just wanted to make him happy and please him. It is the duty of every actor, whatever film you do, to make your director happy because, through his eyes, everybody is going to perceive you and see you. I’m happy I could make him (Atlee) happy.”

Get ready for Dunki this Christmas
Speaking about his films in 2023, SRK said, “I am not trying to show off, but God has been kind. We had Pathaan, and God has been even kinder with Jawan. We started with January 26, Republic Day, (Pathaan release), it’s a good, auspicious day and then we came on Janmashtami on Lord Krishna’s birthday (with Jawan). Now, we have New Year coming, and on Christmas, I’ll bring Dunki. Saare national integration rakhta hoon, waise bhi jis din meri film release hoti hai, uss din Eid hoti hai. (I keep national integration in mind, and anyways, the day my film releases, it is Eid)”

SRK’s marriage proposal to Vijay Sethupathi

When the host asked Vijay Sethupathi about the kind of love he has received from Jawan, the actor said, “Don’t ask me. Sir (SRK) has seen so much success. First of all, I didn’t expect so much love on the first day of release in Chennai, a lot of people called me and told me they couldn’t get the tickets for the first day-first show for Jawan. People love him (SRK) so much.” He added, “The name Shah Rukh Khan is enough. The way he behaves, the way he treats people, he gives only love. Somebody has written Shah Rukh Khan, you can go and hug the name also, that’s enough. I love you sir.”

Shah Rukh responded in his witty style and said, “I love you too. I love you all. I think after the press conference, I can propose to you, we can marry now. We will do a lot of acting together.” To which, Vijay replied, “Nothing wrong sir.”

SRK showing how down-to-earth he is

During the success event in Mumbai, the actor once again gave an example of his generosity and humility. During the event, he noticed that director Atlee and a few members of the Jawan team had to sit down for photographs. He took absolutely no time to lay down on the floor and pose for the shutterbugs. On this particular act by SRK, Atlee said that the actor is such a simple human being that everyone had to tell him that he is Shah Rukh Khan. “He is a very basic human being with a basic heart. (At the event) When I sat down, he told me to come and stand with him but there were a lot of people on stage and we had to accommodate all…Then he came and lay down on the floor. He is always the same. He can never be changed. I love him,” Atlee said.

SRK's special wish for Nayanthara's mother
Nayanthara skipped the event in Mumbai as it was her mother's birthday. Sending a special wish for Nayanthara's mother, SRK sang a birthday song from the stage.