It was sometime in the early '90s. Shah Rukh Khan had just returned from Goa after shooting for his film Kabhi Ha Kabhi Na. The avid TV viewers would have known him, but for an average Mumbaiite, he was just another new actor. My friend and I were setting out for a shopping spree. Suddenly as we were driving past Bandra, my friend remembered, she had to pick up a packet from this actor's house and could we please stop for a few minutes. I was introduced to Shah Rukh (he was not known as SRK or King Khan 15 years ago) and Gauri. I remember him as being extremely courteous and energetic. He promptly offered to make tea for us but we refused. Three years later I was watching Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge at a suburban Mumbai theatre and the women were swooning over him. I was also one of them. Till today, I refused to share this experience with another soul. Who would believe me when I say King Khan offered to make tea for me and I refused.

(Posted by Rajeshwari Sukumar)