Exclusive - Dipika Kakar recalls meeting Shah Rukh Khan at Mannat for Sasural Simar Ka; shares 'someone referred to me as his co-actor, ye sunn ke I fainted'

Dipika Kakar Ibrahim is one of the successful faces of Indian television and has portrayed versatile characters in TV shows, but her journey has not been easy. She started her career as an air airhostess but had to quit her job due to health issues. Dipika's destiny had some other plans and things changed for her when she tried her hands at acting. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes TV a couple of months ago, Dipika recalled her meeting with Bollywood's Badshah Shah Rukh Khan at Mannat, her journey and struggle period. (Photo: Instagram)

That day when I was supposed to meet Shah Rukh Khan sir, I remember Mujhe Na bhook lag rahi thi, Na Mujhe koi dikhayi de raha. I remember Jaya Ojha ji was playing my on-screen mother on the show and I was sharing a room with her. She was teasing me that day, Woh Mujhe itna ched rahi thi because I was not paying attention to anyone, Na Mujhe kuch khana tha, Na baat karni thi Kisi, I was so happy that I was going to Mannat. It was like a big moment. Ek toh aap Mumbai mein ho, you are getting this big launch and then you are going to visit Shah Rukh Khan’s house. That was another level of excitement. (Photo: Instagram)

Manna padega as we say koi star kyu Banta hai, he deserves everything. Jitni tareef aap unki sunte ho, he justifies each and every word. When we entered there were refreshments kept for the entire crew on behalf of Mannat. We set up the entire thing and at that time Ashwini Yardi ma’am was part of the channel. She was already with Shah Rukh upstairs and somebody came and said, “Sir wants to meet his co-actor”, ye sun ke I fainted… (laughs). “Meri Hawaiian udd gayi Mujhe co-actor bola gaya ye sunke… (laughs with excitement).(Photo: Instagram)

Till today I can’t get this out of my head that I was referred to as his co-star. He was very sweet and he called me upstairs to meet him. He said let me meet her before we start shooting. I went upstairs and met him and I can’t forget that glimpse of him ever in life. I still remember his eyes, he was getting ready and he leaned towards one side and looked at me. (Photo: Instagram)

Yes, Shoaib is a huge Shah Rukh Khan and he has not met him yet. I tease him a lot about this “Shoaib aap nahi mile ho”. I keep pulling his leg. After that I never met him. I interacted with him once when he had come for Bigg Boss. Through that “Me TV”. That day of Sasural Simar Ka was 'the iconic day' for me because I adore Shah Rukh Khan a lot. Unke Todd ka koi nahi hai…(Photo: Instagram)

I’d always seen my father in a uniform so I was always fascinated with it. I remember papa ki posting hui thi and we had taken a flight. That was the first time I was travelling by flight. When I saw the crew, I was amazed and I developed a dream of becoming an air hostess. I did that and successfully flew for three years but I’d to leave because of health issues. I’d shifted to Mumbai for the job and had no intention to go back. (Photo: Instagram)

One of my classmates was Sonali Kulkarni, the Natrang girl. Whenever she travelled to Mumbai she would push me to join the entertainment industry. I would always say no because I didn’t want to do exposing scenes or bold scenes. I’d my reservations from that time. I respect the girls who are doing them. She then pushed me to do daily soaps. Initially, I just didn’t pay any heed to her but the doctor told me I cannot fly as my back was in a very bad shape and I was facing health issues. I was on bed rest for two months. My back was in a bad shape. (Photo: Instagram)

Sonali then arranged a photographer and did my photoshoot. She arranged a few contacts for me and I started giving auditions after that. The industry and Mumbai both welcomed me with open arms. I really feel blessed because within 8 months of distributing my portfolio I got my first break. I was very bad initially so there were rejections also. (Photo: Instagram)

I remember I auditioned for a show produced by Sphere Origin and the person there who took my audition was so patient, hats off to him. I was so bad, I knew nothing, because it was not my background and I had nobody in the family who liked acting. I loved watching Television shows, that's it but had no training. Slowly, I worked on myself and bagged Devi as my first show, I did Agle Janam as a character artist and then I bagged Sasural Simar Ka. Post that there was no looking back. (Photo: Instagram)