Shah Rukh Khan mistaken for Akshay Kumar by fan during Pardes shoot
Synopsis
Even the world's biggest Bollywood star isn't immune to a case of mistaken identity. Shah Rukh Khan revealed on 'Yaaron Ki Baraat' that a fan chased him through a New York airport — only to gush 'Akshay I love you' after he finally stopped. The story, set during the emotionally charged shoot of 'Pardes', is as funny as it is human.
Key Takeaways
Shah Rukh Khan was mistaken for Akshay Kumar by a fan at a New York airport during the shoot of 'Pardes' .
Khan was rushing home because his wife Gauri Khan had suffered a miscarriage at the time.
He recounted the incident on filmmaker Sajid Khan's talk show 'Yaaron Ki Baraat' .
Khan's upcoming film 'King' , directed by Siddharth Anand , is set to release on 24 December 2026 .
The 'King' announcement video, titled 'ROAR' , was unveiled on SRK's 60th birthday in November 2025 .
Shah Rukh Khan, widely regarded as one of Bollywood's most recognisable faces globally, once found himself in a situation that was equal parts awkward and amusing — a fan mistook him for fellow actor Akshay Kumar. The story, which Khan recounted on filmmaker Sajid Khan's talk show 'Yaaron Ki Baraat', has resurfaced as one of the most memorable celebrity-fan mix-up anecdotes in Hindi film circles.
The Incident at the Airport
The encounter took place when Khan was returning from New York during the shoot of his 1997 film 'Pardes'. He was rushing through the terminal, anxious to get home — his wife, Gauri Khan, had suffered a miscarriage, and every minute counted.
'I was running in a hurry, and amidst all this, the handle of my bag also broke. I was absolutely confused,' Khan recalled on the show.
Amid the chaos, a woman began chasing him through the terminal, calling out for a photograph and an autograph. Flustered and pressed for time, Khan initially ignored her. Once he had checked in, however, he relented and called her over.
The Mistaken Identity Moment
'I am a big fan of yours,' the woman reportedly screamed. Khan acknowledged her graciously, replying, 'Its okay mam.' What followed left him both confused and embarrassed.
'Offf, Akshay I love you,' she exclaimed — having mistaken Shah Rukh Khan for Akshay Kumar.
The anecdote, delivered with characteristic self-deprecating humour, drew laughs on the show and has since become a frequently cited example of the surreal moments that come with superstardom. Notably, both actors were at the peak of their early careers around the mid-1990s, which may have contributed to the confusion.
What Shah Rukh Khan Is Working on Next
On the professional front, Khan is set to appear in the highly anticipated action drama 'King', directed by Siddharth Anand. In January 2026, the makers confirmed the film will release in theatres on 24 December 2026.
The announcement video, titled 'ROAR', opened against a dramatic backdrop with the tagline: 'This Christmas, fear wears the crown' — signalling the film's large-scale, high-stakes tone.
On Shah Rukh Khan's 60th birthday in November 2025, the production house released a title video portraying Khan as a ruthless mercenary — a sharp departure from his romantic hero image. As 'King' inches closer to its Christmas release, the mistaken-identity story from decades ago serves as a reminder of how far — and how distinctly — his star persona has travelled.
Point of View
Arguably the most globally recognised Indian actor of his generation, rendered unrecognisable in a moment of personal crisis. What mainstream coverage of this anecdote tends to gloss over is the emotional backdrop: Khan was racing home to his wife after a miscarriage, making the fan's mix-up land with an almost tragicomic weight. That the story has endured in popular memory says something about audiences' appetite for the human behind the icon — a gap that 'King', with its ruthless-mercenary framing, will now try to fill in a very different register.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fan mistook Shah Rukh Khan for Akshay Kumar?
A woman at a New York airport mistook Shah Rukh Khan for Akshay Kumar during the shoot of his 1997 film 'Pardes'. She chased him through the terminal seeking a photograph and autograph, only to exclaim 'Akshay I love you' when he finally stopped for her.
Where did Shah Rukh Khan share this story?
Shah Rukh Khan recounted the incident on filmmaker Sajid Khan's talk show 'Yaaron Ki Baraat'. He described the full sequence of events, including the personal distress he was under at the time.
Why was Shah Rukh Khan in such a hurry at the airport?
Khan was rushing home from New York because his wife, Gauri Khan, had suffered a miscarriage. The urgency of the situation made the fan encounter even more stressful for him.
What is Shah Rukh Khan's next film?
Shah Rukh Khan's next film is 'King', an action drama directed by Siddharth Anand. It is confirmed to release in theatres on 24 December 2026.
What is the 'King' film about?
Based on the title video released on Shah Rukh Khan's 60th birthday in November 2025, 'King' portrays Khan as a ruthless mercenary. The announcement video, titled 'ROAR', carried the tagline 'This Christmas, fear wears the crown', indicating a large-scale action film.
