‘SRK has paid me a compliment’: Neha Dhupia recalls Shah Rukh Khan’s reaction to her iconic ‘only s** or Shah Rukh Khan sells’ quote, admits she still gets nervous around him
Neha Dhupia’s career is defined not just by her memorable performances in countless films but also by her iconic quote. Very early in her career, she famously said, “Only s** or Shah Rukh Khan sells.” The statement received widespread attention and, even after nearly two decades, continues to be fondly remembered by fans and industry insiders alike. Now, in a recent interview, Neha Dhupa revisited the quote and ‘King’ actor’s reaction to it.
Neha Dhupia reveals she never discussed the quote directly with Shah Rukh Khan
According to Bollywood Hungama, when asked whether she had ever discussed the statement with Shah Rukh Khan himself, Neha smiled and said, “I didn’t actually. I have always been a big Shah Rukh Khan fan. I must have had so many conversations with him. I must have seen him in person so many times and even today, the fan in me gets excited when I see him. But I have normalized that feeling. I am like, ‘Come on Neha, you can do it and you can talk to him’. I think he’s also aware of what a big fan I am of him.”
Shah Rukh Khan’s response to Neha Dhupia’s quote
Neha went on to reveal how Shah Rukh Khan had actually responded to her famous quote through a newspaper interview at the time. She shared, “After I gave that quote, he was interviewed by a newspaper in which he was asked to comment about my statement. And he said that ‘Neha Dhupia is a very intelligent girl for saying that’! I still have that newspaper cutting.”Reflecting on how special that moment felt for her, Neha Dhupia added, “So, he did reply and paid me back my compliment. I was like, ‘Shah Rukh has paid me a compliment. Ho gaya abhi (It’s done now). I can pack up and go’ (laughs)!”
Neha Dhupia admits she still gets nervous around Shah Rukh Khan at parties
Despite the years and her own successful career, Neha confessed that meeting Shah Rukh Khan in person still brings out the fangirl in her. She said, “Even now, when I see him, I’ll casually go and say, ‘Hi’. But I’ll probably circle around at a party before going up to him; you know how you do that when you’re a fan!”
What’s next for Neha Dhupia?
August is shaping up to be a special month for Neha Dhupia. Following the premiere of her debut international film, ’52 Blue’, at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), the actress will also be celebrating her birthday on August 27. Asked about her birthday plans, she said, “I usually like to travel on the big day. Let’s see if I get a chance to do so this year (smiles).”Directed by acclaimed Egyptian filmmaker Ali El Arabi, ’52 Blue’ is an international coming-of-age drama that centers on Ashish (Yadav Shashidhar), an isolated young man in Kerala who escapes his home to fulfill his dream of meeting his idol, Lionel Messi, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Co-starring Neha Dhupia, in her international film debut aYond Adil Hussain as Ashish’s doting parents, the film blends real-time footage captured during the Qatar World Cup with a poignant narrative exploring migrant labor, parental devotion and self-discovery.
