Shah Rukh Khan reveals Karan Johar offered him a script that made him nearly leave Bollywood: 'The script required me to wear a skirt for the entire film'

Filmmaker Karan Johar hosted a special session with his close friend, superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and actress Deepika Padukone on the opening day of the WAVES 2025 Summit at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. Titled The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler, the session saw both stars sharing personal stories from their careers. Shah Rukh opened up about feeling like a failure during times when his films didn’t perform well.
Shah Rukh Khan Reflects on Failure and Disappointment
Shah Rukh Khan reflected on whether he’s ever considered quitting Bollywood and shared that failure hits him hard. He explained that when a film doesn’t do well, he doesn’t just see it as a personal setback. Instead, he feels like he’s disappointed the many fans who have supported him over the past 35 years. For him, every flop feels deeply personal because he knows people come to his films with love and high expectations.

The Moment Shah Rukh Khan Almost Quit Bollywood
However, Shah Rukh Khan did recall a moment when he seriously considered quitting Bollywood—when Karan Johar once pitched him a script that required him to wear a skirt for the entire film. The story was set in a time when men traditionally wore skirts, but SRK admitted that it was the only time he felt like stepping away from acting.
Karan Johar Defends the Script Idea
Karan Johar defended the idea by explaining that the character was designed to wear a skirt, which was essential to the role. In response, Shah Rukh Khan jokingly told him that he should wear the skirt and play the part himself.

The Rise of Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone
It's fitting that Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone were chosen for this panel, as both actors started with no connections to the film industry. Over the years, however, they have become two of the highest-paid stars in the country and prominent ambassadors for Indian cinema worldwide.
The WAVES 2025 Summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday morning. It is designed as a key platform to foster discussions, collaboration, and innovation within the media and entertainment industry.