“I Have A Strange Relationship With Anushka Sharma” – Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma made us all fall in love with their chemistry in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. The duo all set to make an amazing pair and will be seen next in Imtiaz Ali‘s Jab Harry Met Sejal and in Aanand L. Rai‘s next. Yay.
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The two have known each other for so long now and given that Anushka debuted with Shah Rukh, they obviously share a special equation with each. Here are some excerpts from SRK’s interview with DNA.

I have a strange relationship with Anushka. We are fond of each other. Anushka, Deepika, these girls have done their first films with me, so there is a different kind of relationship with them. Sometimes you take a little while to do a film after you have done your first one, but then you get into a space like this. Imtiaz was clear that this was the cast. Aanand had been meeting Anushka for six-seven months and I said we have just done another film. She really suited the role. It is great fun working with her.

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The Mentor and the Misfit: Unpacking Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Strange Relationship’ with Anushka Sharma

The world of Bollywood is one of intense collaboration, but few on-screen pairings have maintained the unique, evolving dynamic shared by Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma. While their journey began as a classic mentor-mentee story, it quickly blossomed into a professional rapport so easy and natural that it transcended the success or failure of their films.

The core of this dynamic was perhaps best encapsulated by Shah Rukh Khan himself, who once candidly admitted, “I have a strange relationship with Anushka.”

This seemingly enigmatic statement was not a comment on rivalry or conflict, but rather a profound acknowledgment of a unique professional bond. He elaborated that the relationship is “different” because Anushka, along with Deepika Padukone, made her debut with him, explaining that he is “fond of” her and finds working with her “great fun.” It is a relationship rooted in a debut film that broke all conventions, a bond of confidence forged under the spotlight, and a shared professional respect that has spanned a decade of collaborations and four major motion pictures.

The ‘strange’ nature of their relationship lies in its evolution—from an intimidated debutante to an independent superstar—and the way their on-screen chemistry continually adapted to challenging, often unconventional roles.

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Chapter 1: The Foundation of the Bond — Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)

The start of their journey is perhaps the most crucial element in understanding their relationship. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (RNBDJ), directed by Aditya Chopra, was not just a massive box office hit; it was the launchpad for a young Anushka Sharma. She entered the film industry as an outsider, paired opposite one of the world’s biggest and most experienced stars, Shah Rukh Khan.

Anushka’s Confidence and SRK’s Generosity

Anushka Sharma has often spoken about the initial experience, emphasizing that Shah Rukh Khan’s presence, rather than intimidating her, actually boosted her confidence.

• Non-Intimidating Presence: She recalled that Shah Rukh Khan never made her feel dwarfed by his superstar status or experience. His intuitive approach helped her feel comfortable and believe she belonged in the environment.
• The Power of Preparation: The actress herself has credited her preparation for the role of Taani for her confident debut, noting that director Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra instilled faith in her, saying she was cast because she “can stand on her own against anyone.”
• A Lifelong Gratitude: Anushka later acknowledged that RNBDJ “changed her life” and will forever be the “most special thing” she has ever done, attributing her “beautiful equation” with Shah Rukh Khan to this generous and supportive beginning.

The dynamic established here was one of a secure mentor guiding a talented newcomer, giving her the space and freedom to shine. This laid the groundwork for a friendship built on mutual professional respect rather than merely a co-star equation.

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Chapter 2: The On-Screen Role Reversal — Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)

Four years later, the duo reunited for the final directorial venture of the legendary Yash Chopra, Jab Tak Hai Jaan (JTHJ). This time, their professional equation was tested, as their on-screen dynamic completely inverted the one seen in their debut film.

In JTHJ, Shah Rukh Khan played the dual role of the romantic London-based Samar and the emotionally-scarred bomb disposal expert, while Anushka played Akira Rai, a spirited, ‘bindaas’ photojournalist.

• A New Dynamic: Where Taani of RNBDJ was initially aloof to Suri’s alter ego, Samar (SRK) and Akira’s (Anushka) relationship was electric, characterized by a one-sided, overt crush from Akira’s side.
• Critical Acclaim for Chemistry: The on-screen chemistry, even in a supporting track, was noted for its “pleasing blend of the valorous and the romantic” in the sequences shot in Ladakh and Kashmir. Critics specifically praised Anushka’s “bouncy and rousing performance,” highlighting how she brought a “spark to the film” with her energetic and spirited take on her dialogues.

This film showcased the comfort and range of their pairing, proving they could convincingly embody completely different relationship dynamics—from the subdued, arranged marriage of their first film to a vibrant, unrequited pursuit in their second.

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Chapter 3: The Chemistry that Saved the Day — Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017)

Their third collaboration, directed by Imtiaz Ali, brought their partnership into a new, contemporary European setting with Jab Harry Met Sejal (JHMS). The film’s narrative, a story of a depressed, womanizing tour guide (Harry) and a lost, legally-engaged woman (Sejal), was met with mixed reviews regarding its plot.

However, one consistent element praised across the board was the undeniable chemistry and comfort between the lead pair.

• A True Camaraderie: Reviews of JHMS often stated that Shah Rukh and Anushka’s on-screen pairing was the film’s biggest asset. Critics specifically noted the “cracking on-screen chemistry” and “easy camaraderie” they shared. This comfort level, built over a decade of knowing each other, allowed their interactions to feel genuinely natural, often “saving” the “wafer-thin” storyline.
• A Decade of Rapport: The film was released at a time when Shah Rukh Khan openly acknowledged his “strange relationship” with her, making the easy, playful, and often intimate on-screen rapport all the more meaningful, as it was a direct reflection of their real-life fond friendship. The duo had reached a stage where they were truly comfortable, with Anushka’s “super cute” portrayal of Sejal perfectly complementing SRK’s “charming” persona.

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Chapter 4: Pushing the Boundaries — Zero (2018)

Their final and most ambitious film together, Zero, provided the ultimate test for their professional relationship, asking them to take on physically and emotionally challenging roles. Shah Rukh played Bauua Singh, a vertically challenged man, while Anushka portrayed Aafia Yusufzai Bhinder, a scientist with cerebral palsy.

• Tackling Challenging Roles: The film was a visual spectacle, and despite the mixed critical reception regarding the convoluted screenplay, the performances of the leads were lauded. Anushka received “full marks for effort” and a strong sense of pride in her vulnerable, complex character, demonstrating a significant evolution from the bubbly debutante of 2008.
• An Enduring Partnership: Coincidentally, the release of Zero marked Anushka Sharma’s 10th anniversary as an actress. She remarked that starting and celebrating her 10th year with him was “beautiful,” calling the film an “incredible” and “challenging” project. This full-circle moment reaffirmed the strength of their relationship, proving that they could take risks together, even in an emotionally demanding narrative.

The Personal Connection: ‘Bollywood’s Damaad’

Beyond the camera, their bond is so strong that it extends to Anushka’s personal life. Shah Rukh Khan is known to share an affectionate rapport with her husband, cricketer Virat Kohli. Shah Rukh has openly called Virat Kohli “Bollywood’s son-in-law” (damaad) and has fondly recalled spending time with him during his early dating days with Anushka, solidifying the idea that their relationship is more like family than just a work partnership.

Ultimately, Shah Rukh Khan’s “strange relationship with Anushka Sharma” is not strange at all, but rather a rare and wholesome professional journey in an industry often plagued by fleeting associations. It is the journey of a mentor who gave his protege the confidence to fly, a partnership that evolved across four complex films, and a friendship that has endured and strengthened over a decade.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

1. Why did Shah Rukh Khan say he has a “strange relationship” with Anushka Sharma?

Shah Rukh Khan described his relationship with Anushka Sharma as “strange” because of its unique foundation. He explained that she, along with Deepika Padukone, made her debut with him, which created a “different kind of relationship” with an underlying element of mentorship and deep affection. He stated that they are “fond of each other” and enjoy working together, indicating the “strange” nature refers to a special, almost familial, bond formed right at the start of her career.

2. How many films have Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma done together?

Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma have starred together in four major Bollywood films:

1. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) – Anushka’s debut.
2. Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)
3. Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017)
4. Zero (2018)

3. What did Anushka Sharma say about working with Shah Rukh Khan on her debut film?

Anushka Sharma has consistently praised Shah Rukh Khan for his conduct during Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. She recalled that he was very intuitive and non-intimidating, which made her feel comfortable on the set despite being a newcomer. She credited him, along with the film’s director, for boosting her confidence and allowing her to give a strong, confident performance. She also stated that the film “changed her life” and is the “most special thing” she has ever done.

4. What was the critical consensus on Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma’s chemistry?

Across all their films, especially in Jab Harry Met Sejal, critics widely praised the natural and easy rapport between the two actors. In the review of Jab Harry Met Sejal, many critics pointed out that their “cracking on-screen chemistry” and “easy camaraderie” were strong points of the film, often helping to carry the otherwise thin plot. Even in films with mixed reviews like Zero, their individual performances and the energy of their pairing were noted and appreciated.

5. What is Shah Rukh Khan’s connection to Virat Kohli?

Shah Rukh Khan shares a friendly and affectionate relationship with Anushka Sharma’s husband, cricketer Virat Kohli. Shah Rukh Khan has affectionately referred to Virat Kohli as “Bollywood’s son-in-law” (damaad). He has spoken about having known the couple for a long time, recalling spending time with them during their early dating days while he was shooting a film with Anushka.