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Why did Shah Rukh Khan, one of Bollywood’s richest and most respected stars, agree to work in Brahmastra and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil without charging a single rupee? The answer lies in his friendship, passion, and love for cinema.
SRK's His Ae Dil Hai Mushkil dialogue remains iconic among movie lovers.
New Delhi: When it comes to humility and generosity, Shah Rukh Khan stands in a league of his own. The superstar, who recently entered the billionaire list on the Hurun India Rich List 2025, has once again reminded the world why he is not just the “King of Romance” but also the king of hearts.
It has now been revealed that Shah Rukh Khan worked in two Dharma Productions films, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Brahmastra, completely free of cost. Both projects featured Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role and were directed by two of SRK’s closest industry friends, Karan Johar and Ayan Mukerji.
According to author Mohar Basu’s recent biography on Shah Rukh Khan, published by HarperCollins, the actor didn’t charge even a token amount for these two films.
SRK reportedly shot for 14 days for Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra (2022) without taking any payment. His role as scientist Mohan Bhargav, a subtle nod to his Swades character, became one of the film’s most memorable highlights.
Similarly, his cameo in Karan Johar’s 2016 romantic drama Ae Dil Hai Mushkil left a lasting mark, particularly with the dialogue that redefined heartbreak in Hindi cinema:
“Ek tarfa pyaar ki taqat hi kuch aur hoti hai… Sirf mera haq hai ispe, sirf mera!”
Fans still quote these lines as one of SRK’s finest monologues, a blend of pain, wisdom, and poetic melancholy.
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Brahmastra: Part One , Shiva, directed by Ayan Mukerji, was a fantasy epic featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles. The story follows Shiva, a young man with mysterious fire powers, who discovers his connection to the powerful weapon called Brahmastra.
SRK’s character, Mohan Bhargav, is a brilliant scientist and guardian of one of the Astras. His cameo occurs early in the film, where he uses his powers to protect the sacred energy from the antagonist, played by Mouni Roy. Fans hailed his performance, saying SRK “lit up the screen for ten minutes more powerfully than some actors do in an entire film.”
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In Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Ranbir Kapoor played Ayan, a musician dealing with the complexities of unrequited love. Shah Rukh Khan appears as Taher Taliyar Khan, the ex-husband of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s character, Saba.
Though brief, his scene conveys a deep understanding of love and loss, marking one of the film’s most emotional moments. The powerful monologue SRK delivers became a viral moment, widely shared across social media as one of his most meaningful performances in recent years.
Basu’s biography also sheds light on SRK’s early struggles and how his relationship with money evolved. The actor, who once faced financial hardships, began investing his own earnings to finish films like Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. After Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, he found unprecedented success but never let wealth define his choices. His decision to work for free in Dharma films reflects both his gratitude and loyalty to his friends and the industry that made him a legend.
