Waves Summit 2025: Shah Rukh Khan recalls rejecting a script that required him to wear a skirt

Shah Rukh Khan Pic/Instagram

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan attended a session on 'The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler' at the inaugural day of the WAVES summit in Mumbai. In a fireside chat with director friend Karan Johar and Deepika Padukone, King Khan spoke about the time he wanted to step away from showbiz, courtesy of a script that expected him to wear a skirt.

When SRK wanted to take a step back from Bollywood

When Karan Johar asked Shah Rukh Khan if he ever felt like stepping away from Bollywood when things were not working in his favour with changing times, the actor shared, "Some years back, I was sitting at home, and Karan Johar came to my house with a script. I won't name the script. The script required me to be wearing a skirt throughout the film. That is the only time I wanted to step back. I said, ‘Yaar aisa toh nahi hoga yaar.' It was one of those films in olden times where men wore skirts, not androgenous men like me." Watch the video below.

About the WAVES Summit 2025

WAVES will integrate films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, broadcasting, and emerging tech, and seek to present itself as a comprehensive showcase of India's media and entertainment prowess. The summit, being held at the Jio World Convention Centre, aims to unlock a USD 50 billion market by 2029, expanding India's footprint in the global entertainment economy.

Shah Rukh Khan's work front

The superstar will reunite with Pathaan director Siddharth Anand for King. Earlier reports suggested that the film is inspired by the English-language French production, Leon: The Professional (1994). The original film revolves around a professional hitman who reluctantly takes in a twelve-year-old after her family is murdered by a corrupt official. The two form an unusual relationship, as she becomes his protégée and learns to be like him. Khan will be playing a role that was essayed by Jean Reno, and his daughter Suhana Khan will be stepping into Natalie Portman's shoes. It will feature Abhishek Bachchan as the antagonist and also have Abhay Verma of Munjya fame in a pivotal role.