In the glamorous world of Bollywood, celebrities often cross paths with distinguished individuals from various walks of life. However, when Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan got the opportunity to dine with British royals, Prince William and Kate Middleton, it was an experience that left him both thrilled and momentarily speechless.
The Royal Visit to India
In 2016, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on an official visit to India. Their trip was marked by numerous engagements, including a memorable Bollywood gala held at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai. The event, aimed at creating a blend of British and Indian culture, saw a host of Bollywood’s brightest stars in attendance, including the ‘Baadshah of Bollywood’, Shah Rukh Khan.
The Bollywood Gala
The evening was a vibrant amalgamation of Indian cinema and British royalty, with the attendees including the likes of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and of course, Shah Rukh Khan. The royal couple, known for their grace and charm, blended in perfectly with the glitterati of Bollywood, creating a picture-perfect moment for the international media.
The Royal Dinner
Shah Rukh Khan, known for his charisma and eloquence, found himself in an amusing situation during the dinner. As he was trying to explain the dishes to the royal couple, he stumbled upon the English translation of ‘paalak’, a popular Indian vegetable. SRK, despite being a seasoned actor and a global star, felt momentarily flustered as he struggled to recall the English translation, which is ‘spinach’.
“At dinner, I tried to explain the dishes they were eating. I don’t know food very well and one time I tried to explain what ‘paalak’ is in English was. I was looking around for someone to tell me what paalak is in English. I didn’t want to disappoint them with my lack of knowledge of food,” SRK said while reminiscing the incident.
The Royal Couple’s Graciousness
Despite the minor hiccup, Shah Rukh Khan fondly remembers the royal couple for their graciousness and warmth. He described them as ‘extremely beautiful and elegant’ and loved the fact that they were ‘very normal’, something he found unexpected in royalty. He also appreciated their interest in Indian cuisine and their understanding when he forgot the English translation of ‘paalak’.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Take on the Evening
Reflecting on the evening, Shah Rukh Khan expressed his admiration for the royal couple. He found them to be ‘very cool, very kind, and very normal’, which he thought was unexpected for people of their stature. He also appreciated their graciousness, stating that they were ‘very, very sweet’ and that he is ‘quite a fan of the royal highnesses.’
The Significance of the Meeting
The meeting between Bollywood royalty and British royalty was significant on many levels. It highlighted the global reach of Indian cinema and reinforced the cultural ties between India and the UK. It also offered an opportunity for stars like Shah Rukh Khan to showcase Indian hospitality and introduce aspects of Indian culture to the royal couple.
The Royal Couple’s Impression of India
Prince William and Kate Middleton, during their visit, expressed their admiration for India and its vibrant culture. In fact, William mentioned that India was the first place on Kate’s list of countries she wanted to visit after their wedding. He expressed hope of spending more time in India in the future, to which Shah Rukh Khan responded that he could ‘definitely show them a good time’.