‘Shah Rukh Khan is a star, you can’t push him like this,’ Gajraj Rao recalls Mani Ratnam cautioning him during Dil Se shoot

Shah Rukh Khan's 1998 film Dil Se remains one of the most memorable movies of his career. Recently, actor Gajraj Rao recalled an incident from the sets of the film when director Mani Ratnam cautioned him to be careful while filming a scuffle scene with Shah Rukh. However, the actor eased Gajraj into the scene and encouraged him to perform freely.

Gajraj recalled a scene in Dil Se where he played a CBI officer. In the scene, he and two other actors were supposed to nab Shah Rukh's character, which involved a minor scuffle. Gajraj had to push Shah Rukh during the sequence. While rehearsing, he recalled pushing Shah Rukh against the wall. He said, "In the scene we chase Shah Rukh and we catch him. Then I hold his collar and push him to the wall. After the rehearsal, Mani Ratnam took me aside and said, 'Shah Rukh is a hero, he is a star. We need to complete this film. You can't do this. Don't push him like this.'"

Explaining his mindset and why he pushed Shah Rukh Khan hard, Gajraj Rao said, "We were very raw. We came from theatre in Delhi and we didn't know diplomacy. I got excited but Shah Rukh's energy is 10,000 more than any actor on the set."

Recalling Shah Rukh's reaction, he said, "Shah Rukh came to me and quietly said, 'Gajraj you keep doing what you did.'"

Gajraj Rao took Shah Rukh Khan's advice and performed the scene with full energy. Further praising the Jawan actor, he added, "Shah Rukh is magnetic. Whether you meet him during shooting or at a garden, he makes you feel like you are the only one. And during the shooting, he also forgets everything. He also hits you hard when he gets lost in the scene."