When Shah Rukh Khan could not pay EMIs for his car: Juhi Chawla shares incident from SRK’s early days in Bollywood

After being for decades in Bollywood, superstar Shah Rukh Khan continues to rule billions of hearts in India and across the world. Yet, his path to becoming a global heartthrob was fraught with difficulties. SRK started his career in television and struggled in his initial days to get opportunities in films. Recently, Bollywood actress and SRK's close friend Juhi Chawla shared an incident from SRK's struggling days in the industry.

Speaking at a GCCI event in Gujarat, Juhi Chawla contrasted Shah Rukh Khan's current lavish lifestyle in Mumbai with his humble beginnings—living in a rented flat, eating food with film crews, and surviving on limited funds, all while shuttling between different movie sets.

Speaking at the event, the Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak actress recalled how Shah Rukh Khan used to own a single car, purchased in instalments, but which was repossessed by the bank due to unpaid EMIs.

“Shah Rukh Khan had one gypsy, he used to do 2-3 shifts. But unable to pay EMI, they took it away. Now look at him,” remarked Juhi Chawla at the event.

The incident had left Shah Rukh Khan dejected, but Juhi Chawla boosted him up by saying that he would have multiple cars outside his house one day. “Don’t worry, you'll have many more cars one day,” Juhi Chawla had said to SRK then.

"…And he still remembers that. Because it's true. Look at him today,” Juhi Chawla said, reflecting on that moment. 

Despite starting as an outsider, Shah Rukh Khan rose to fame and has maintained his dominance in Bollywood. 

Today, SRK owns a fleet of luxury cars and lives in a grand sea-facing bungalow, Mannat, in Mumbai's upscale Bandra. 

Known for their on-screen chemistry and real-life friendship, Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla have worked together in memorable films like Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Duplicate, etc. 

Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla's husband, Jay Mehta, together own the Indian Premier League's (IPL) superhit franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The two bought the franchise for around ₹262.5 crore (approx US$75.09 million) in 2008.