Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 2: Renowned actor, writer, and director Tigmanshu Dhulia recently shared an amusing anecdote from 1994 when he served tea to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan while working as an assistant to filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.
Dhulia reminisced about the time when Kapur, after completing Bandit Queen, was developing multiple film projects, including Maut Se Jo Darte Nahin, which was set to feature Shah Rukh Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, and Suniel Shetty. However, many of these projects were eventually shelved.
“Shekhar ji, during that time, after doing Bandit Queen, stayed in Mumbai for about one and a half to two years before moving on to international projects. Many films were started but later shelved. One of them was Maut Se Jo Darte Nahin with Shah Rukh, Nasser Bhai, and Suniel Shetty,” Dhulia recalled.
While working on the script at Kapur’s residence, Dhulia found himself making tea for SRK, despite not knowing how to use a microwave.
“Toh humne script likhna shuru kiya. Shah Rukh Shekhar ji ke flat mein bhi aaye the. Mujhe yaad hai, maine Shah Rukh ko chai banake pilayi thi. Microwave mein banayi thi… mujhe aata bhi nahi tha ki microwave kaise chalta hai. Shekhar ji ne kaha, ‘Ja yaar, chai bana de.’ Pehli baar maine dekha tha ki microwave kaisa hota hai. Yeh main aapko 94 ki baat bata raha hoon. Phir bhi mujhe lagta hai ki maine Shah Rukh ko bohot ghatiya chai banake pilayi hogi,” Dhulia shared with a laugh.
Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Illustrious Career
Dhulia has made a significant mark in Indian cinema, earning international recognition for his biographical film Paan Singh Tomar, which premiered at the 2010 BFI London Film Festival and later won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 2012.
He is also known for his acclaimed thriller drama Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster and his unforgettable role as Ramadhir Singh in Anurag Kashyap’s cult classic Gangs of Wasseypur.