Amitabh Bachchan has praised Shah Rukh Khan for his determination and refusal to give up when faced with challenges. The remark came during a conversation with Rajkummar Rao on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18, where Rao also looked back at his struggling days in Mumbai and revealed that he would stand outside Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat while dreaming of becoming an actor.
The exchange brought together the journeys of three major Hindi cinema actors, with Rajkummar speaking about the stars who motivated him before he found success in the industry.
Amitabh Bachchan Praises Shah Rukh Khan’s Never-Give-Up Attitude
During his interaction with Rajkummar Rao, Amitabh Bachchan spoke about his experience of working with Shah Rukh Khan and highlighted the actor’s approach to difficult situations.
Bachchan described Shah Rukh as someone who does not easily accept defeat and who can also raise the confidence of people around him when problems arise. His comments followed Rajkummar’s account of how SRK’s rise from Delhi to Hindi cinema stardom had influenced his own ambitions.
The veteran actor’s remarks add another personal perspective on Shah Rukh Khan’s long career, which began well before he became one of the most recognised stars in Indian cinema.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Bachchan has publicly appreciated Shah Rukh during the current season of KBC. In August, he also praised SRK’s performance in the 2004 film Swades, describing his work in the film in highly positive terms.
Rajkummar Rao Recalls Standing Outside Mannat
Rajkummar Rao then shared a striking memory from the period before he established himself in Bollywood.
The actor said that when he first came to Mumbai for an opportunity in a television show, he was not selected. Despite that early rejection, he remained committed to becoming an actor.
During those days, Rajkummar recalled spending time outside Amitabh Bachchan’s residence as well as Shah Rukh Khan’s famous Mumbai home, Mannat.
For Rajkummar, these homes represented the success achieved by performers he admired at a time when his own career had yet to begin.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Journey Inspired Rajkummar Rao
Rajkummar also spoke about the connection he felt with Shah Rukh Khan’s story because both had roots in Delhi.
He said he was particularly inspired by SRK’s progression from a middle-class background in Delhi to theatre, television and eventually major success in Hindi cinema. Rajkummar explained that he had decided at a relatively young age that acting was the career he wanted to pursue.
He also revealed that Amitabh Bachchan had been an important influence in his family. According to the actor, his mother kept a poster of Bachchan in her room, underlining the veteran star’s impact on generations of film viewers and aspiring actors.
What We Know
- Amitabh Bachchan discussed Shah Rukh Khan while speaking with Rajkummar Rao on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18.
- Bachchan praised SRK for refusing to give up when confronted with problems.
- Rajkummar Rao said Shah Rukh Khan’s journey from Delhi to stardom inspired him.
- Rao recalled coming to Mumbai for a television opportunity but failing to get selected.
- During his early days, he would stand outside Mannat and Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow while pursuing his acting dream.
Rajkummar Rao’s KBC Appearance Highlights His Love for Hindi Cinema
Rajkummar Rao’s appearance on KBC has also included a tribute to Amitabh Bachchan’s cinema.
During the recent episode, Rao recreated the famous temple sequence associated with Bachchan’s character Vijay from the 1975 film Deewaar. His performance received applause from Bachchan and the studio audience.
It was not Rao’s first Deewaar tribute on the programme. He had previously performed another scene connected to the film during a 2021 appearance on the quiz show.
KBC 18, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, premiered in August 2026 and continues the long-running television format in which Bachchan regularly combines quiz questions with conversations about contestants’ and guests’ personal journeys.
Why This Moment Matters
The conversation stands out because it connects three different career journeys within Hindi cinema.
Shah Rukh Khan’s rise served as motivation for Rajkummar Rao before Rao had established a name for himself. Years later, Rajkummar was able to recount those memories while sitting opposite Amitabh Bachchan, another actor he had admired long before entering the industry.
Bachchan’s comments about SRK also shift the focus beyond box-office numbers or celebrity status. His observation centred on persistence, confidence and the ability to keep moving through difficult situations.
For aspiring actors and fans, Rajkummar’s memory of standing outside Mannat offers another reminder of how dramatically a professional journey can change—from watching established stars from outside their homes to eventually becoming part of the same film industry.
What Happens Next?
Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Rajkummar Rao remain among the most closely followed names in Hindi entertainment, meaning moments involving the three are likely to attract significant interest among Bollywood audiences.
For Kaun Banega Crorepati, such conversations continue to give viewers a glimpse into the experiences and influences behind some of Indian cinema’s most prominent careers.
FAQs
What did Amitabh Bachchan say about Shah Rukh Khan?
Amitabh Bachchan praised Shah Rukh Khan’s determination, saying his experience of working with SRK showed him that the actor does not easily give up when faced with problems.
Did Rajkummar Rao stand outside Mannat?
Yes. Rajkummar Rao recalled that during his early struggling days in Mumbai, he would stand outside Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat as well as Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow.
Why was Rajkummar Rao inspired by Shah Rukh Khan?
Rajkummar said he related to Shah Rukh Khan’s journey from Delhi and was inspired by his progression through theatre and television before becoming a major film star.
Where did Amitabh Bachchan and Rajkummar Rao discuss Shah Rukh Khan?
The conversation took place during Rajkummar Rao’s appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
What is Mannat?
Mannat is Shah Rukh Khan’s well-known residence in Mumbai and has become a familiar gathering point for fans of the actor.