Vipendra Kumar

When Shah Rukh Khan found himself in a jail lock-up, he was allowed just one phone call. But instead of calling his wife, family or lawyer, he called the very person whose actions had landed him there. And eventually, it was Nana Patekar who helped him get out. This happened during Shah Rukh’s early days in Bollywood, shortly after his marriage to Gauri Khan. A film magazine had published a story suggesting that Shah Rukh was having an affair with one of his co-stars. The report deeply upset Gauri, and Shah Rukh was furious. He called the journalist responsible for the story and demanded an explanation. When she dismissed it as a joke, he lost his temper and decided to confront the people involved. Carrying a kukri (a traditional curved knife) that his father-in-law had gifted him at his wedding, Shah Rukh went to confront the journalist. Things quickly escalated. He admitted that he threatened people and behaved terribly during the confrontation. The incident eventually caught up with him when police arrived at the sets of Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and took him into custody. Since he was brought in after 6 PM, he couldn’t secure immediate bail. And that’s when the rather unbelievable phone call happened. When the police allowed him one phone call, Shah Rukh called the same person he had confronted and threatened him again! Looking back at the incident during Tehelka’s Think 2012 event, Shah Rukh openly admitted how foolish his behaviour had been. He also revealed that Nana Patekar eventually helped him secure bail. Shah Rukh recalled Nana’s kindness and said he was extremely sweet to him. Shah Rukh also admitted that the entire episode deeply disturbed Gauri. It was an experience that made him realise he needed to change his behaviour. And he still remembers Nana’s kindness with genuine affection. Sometimes, the people who stand by us during our worst moments are the ones we remember the longest.