Abhay Verma's best day ever: shooting one-on-one with Shah Rukh Khan for King
Synopsis
A young actor's diary entry about shooting alone with Shah Rukh Khan has gone viral on the superstar's birthday. Abhay Verma's account — nerves, a cheek kiss, mid-rehearsal laughter and admiration for Khan's quiet professionalism while unwell — is part tribute, part rare behind-the-scenes window into life on the 'King' set.
Key Takeaways
Abhay Verma shared a personal diary account on 2 November about shooting a one-on-one scene with Shah Rukh Khan for the film 'King' .
Verma described the day as 'the best day of my life,' noting he was so nervous he focused entirely on not making a mistake that would force a retake.
Khan greeted Verma with a kiss on the cheek and shared a 15-second laugh with him during rehearsals.
Verma praised Khan's professionalism, noting the star never let on that he was unwell during the shoot.
The tribute was posted on Instagram as a birthday message for Khan, whose birthday falls on 2 November .
Actor Abhay Verma has called the day he shot a scene with Shah Rukh Khan for their upcoming film 'King' the single greatest day of his life, sharing a deeply personal account from his diary on Monday, 2 November — Khan's birthday. The heartfelt tribute, posted on Verma's Instagram, painted a vivid picture of a young actor overwhelmed by nerves and disarmed by a superstar's warmth.
The Day That Changed Everything
Verma recounted how he arrived on set with little warning. A colleague named Siddhant had hinted that something significant was about to happen, but Verma could not bring himself to believe it until he reached the set. 'I suddenly got very nervous,' he wrote, before describing how Khan walked up and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.
What followed became an instant memory. During rehearsals, Verma asked Khan, 'Sir, can I put weight on your hand?' Khan agreed, but when Verma did so, Khan gently said, 'Not right now, son.' The two burst into laughter for what Verma described as 'a good 15 seconds in the middle of rehearsals.'
SRK's Professionalism Left a Deep Impression
Beyond the laughter, Verma was struck by Khan's work ethic. He noted that Khan was unwell during the shoot but never let it show to anyone on set. 'I haven't seen a more professional actor than Shah sir,' Verma wrote. 'Even when he was unwell, he never let anyone know that he was sick. TRULY KING THINGS!!'
Verma admitted that his singular focus during the take was to avoid making any mistake that might require Khan to repeat the scene on his account — a telling insight into the mix of awe and responsibility a younger actor feels in such a moment.
Pooja Ma'am and the Magic on Set
The account also references a Pooja ma'am — believed to be producer Pooja Dadlani, Khan's long-time manager — who chatted with Verma between takes. Verma described the atmosphere as 'a different kind of inspiration,' watching Khan and the team create magic in real time. 'Seeing them create magic was a different kind of inspiration,' he wrote, adding that Khan's quick wit left everyone helpless with laughter.
A Diary Entry Turned Birthday Tribute
Back home just after midnight, Verma reached for his diary before the details could fade. 'It was by far the best day of my life,' he wrote. He concluded the post by reflecting on why Khan commands such universal love: 'The way Shah sir comforts everybody on set and especially actors, everything about him tells you why people love him so much, why he is the KING and will always be.'
The post arrives as anticipation builds around 'King', which marks Verma's first major collaboration with Khan. With the birthday tribute generating significant attention online, the film's buzz appears to be growing well ahead of any official release announcement.
Point of View
Already cast in a major film, reduced to hoping he doesn't cause an extra take for the star. What stands out is the detail about Khan continuing to shoot while unwell without letting the crew know: in an era when on-set demands are under increasing scrutiny, the portrayal of Khan as the selfless professional is both genuine tribute and image maintenance. 'King' hasn't been officially dated, but moments like this function as organic marketing that no press release can replicate.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Abhay Verma and what is his role in 'King'?
Abhay Verma is a Bollywood actor set to appear alongside Shah Rukh Khan in the upcoming film 'King'. The film marks a notable collaboration between the two, with Verma sharing screen time directly with the megastar.
What did Abhay Verma share about his experience shooting with Shah Rukh Khan?
Verma shared a personal diary entry on Instagram describing the day as the best of his life. He recounted arriving on set with little warning, being greeted with a kiss on the cheek by Khan, sharing a 15-second laugh during rehearsals, and being deeply moved by Khan's professionalism and warmth.
Why did Abhay Verma post this tribute on 2 November?
2 November is Shah Rukh Khan's birthday, and Verma chose the occasion to share his heartfelt experience from the 'King' shoot. The post doubled as a personal birthday message and a public tribute to the superstar.
What did Abhay Verma say about Shah Rukh Khan's professionalism?
Verma wrote that Khan was unwell during the shoot but never let anyone on set know. He described Khan as the most professional actor he had ever encountered, adding: 'TRULY KING THINGS!!' He also noted that Khan's quick wit and warmth made everyone on set feel at ease.
What is the film 'King' about and when does it release?
No official release date for 'King' has been announced yet. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan and features Abhay Verma in a significant role; beyond that, plot details remain largely under wraps.
