Vikram Kochhar, who essayed the role of Balinder “Buggu” Lakhanpal in Rajkumar Hirani‘s ‘Dunki’, recently spoke about his deep admiration for Shah Rukh Khan. He revealed that during the nearly two years he spent shooting alongside the superstar for the 2023 film, Khan’s humility and warmth left the biggest impression on him. Kochhar called him one of the most grounded individuals he has ever met.
Vikram Kochhar on not meeting Shah Rukh Khan since ‘Dunki’
Speaking on the Galatta India podcast, Kochhar shared that although he sends occasional birthday wishes through his manager, he hasn’t met Shah Rukh Khan in person since Dunki wrapped. Asked if he keeps in touch with the actor, Vikram admitted that reaching out isn’t easy given his packed schedule. “I also want to know more about him. I haven’t met him after Dunki. It’s a little difficult to approach him. How do you just go up to someone like him? I occasionally send him messages through his manager—birthday wishes and things like that,” he said.
Vikram Kochhar on being remembered by Shah Rukh Khan
The actor further shared that just being remembered by someone as big as Shah Rukh means a great deal to him. “I consider myself extremely fortunate. Shah Rukh Khan has worked with so many people, and the fact that someone like me can say I’ve worked with him is a blessing. My name is now among the people who have worked with him. We spent nearly two years together during Dunki, and the fact that he still remembers you and shows that consideration means a lot.”
Vikram Kochhar on never visiting Mannat
He pointed out that forgetting people would be understandable for someone with a schedule as demanding as Khan’s, which makes his gesture of remembering him feel even more special. “He’s such a busy man. It’s only natural to forget people. If he hasn’t forgotten you then that is a big thing.” When asked if he had gone to Mannat after Dunki, Vikram said he had never made a deliberate attempt to visit. “No. I don’t want anything like that. He has worked incredibly hard to build such a beautiful home. If I ever get the opportunity, I will definitely go. But I don’t want to make an extra effort just to visit Mannat. I haven’t felt the need to do that.”
Vikram Kochhar calls Shah Rukh Khan ‘a gem of a person’
Describing Shah Rukh as “a gem of a person,” Vikram shared that what strikes him most is the superstar’s ability to stay humble despite his massive success. “Shah Rukh sir is a gem of a person. He is a very good human being. What surprises me the most is how grounded he has remained. I often wonder how much he must have studied and how deeply he understands the world to stay so humble. It’s very difficult to maintain that balance between success and humility.”Vikram added that throughout the time he spent with Shah Rukh, he never once witnessed him disrespect or belittle anyone. “I have never seen him humiliate or belittle anyone. Even when he jokes about someone, like at an award show, it’s obvious that it’s all in good humour. There is no arrogance in him.” He drew a comparison with certain younger actors, noting a stark difference in attitude. “Sometimes you see people who have become actors just three or four years ago, and they already have an air of arrogance. But I’ve never seen that in Shah Rukh Khan.”
Vikram Kochhar’s other work
Besides ‘Dunki’, Vikram has featured in projects like ‘Kesari’, ‘Tripling’, ‘Mili’, ‘Choona’, ‘Aashram’ and ‘The Great Indian Murder’.
About ‘Dunki’
‘Dunki’, which brought Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani together for the first time, also featured Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani and Anil Grover in prominent roles.
