Shah Rukh Khan and Mita Vashisht first worked together in Mani Kaul’s The Idiot (1992) and later reunited for Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se (1998). In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Mita talked about Shah Rukh’s charisma in his early years, his competitive nature and the warmth he retained even after achieving superstardom. She also recalled a frightening incident in which SRK’s quick reflexes saved her from falling off a steep ridge during the shoot of Dil Se.

You were one of the first actors to share screen space with Shah Rukh Khan.

We worked together on Mani Kaul’s The Idiot in 1992. He wasn’t a star then, but you could see his charisma. It was so powerful that you could cut it with a knife, the aura of a superstar. And you could see his absolute desperation, passion to become a big star. Some of us know we have the talent, but we are not willing to die for it just to become big stars. We are happy doing the work.…