PremiumJawan: Shah Rukh Khan smells wonderful, gives the warmest and best hugs, REVEALS Aaliyah Qureishi | EXCLUSIVE
Aaliyah Qureishi, who was one of the six girls in Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘girl squad’ in ‘Jawan’ is in an exclusive interview with OTTplay
Last Updated: 05.09 PM, Sep 10, 2023
Even though there are a million hopefuls globally who dream about working with the one and only Shah Rukh Khan, only a few become lucky to realise their dream. It’s not every day that you get to work with Shah Rukh Khan in the same frame. The young, dynamic and multi-talented Aaliyah Qureishi is one such name who not only got to work with THE Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Jawan’, but also got invited by the man himself to party at his palatial ‘Mannat’ in order to celebrate the success of the film that is setting the box office afire!
Aaliyah Qureishi, who plays the role of one of the six girls in Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘core squad’ in ‘Jawan’ spoke in an exclusive interview with OTTplay about the phenomenon called Shah Rukh Khan and what did ‘Jawan’ mean to her, amongst the many other things! So, its over to you, Aaliyah Qureishi…
To begin with, Aaliyah Qureishi, how are you feeling right now?
I am feeling extremely happy, totally overwhelmed, relieved and excited… all at the same time! I think I have lost all objectivity about what’s happening to me and how big everything around me is! So, I am just enjoying the ride called ‘Jawan’
What does the name ‘Shah Rukh Khan’ mean to you?
Before I knew him personally, the name Shah Rukh Khan meant King, iconic, legendary. But now that I’ve worked with him for two years, it means so much more. It means, humility, wisdom, patience, generosity, humour, and love. I think it’s his superpower that he can make everyone around him feel special and loved. So, to know Shah Rukh Khan the actor made me love him, but to know him as a person makes me love him even more. (smiles)
How has been your journey in showbiz so far?
It has had its own share of ups and downs. There was a lot of rejection, a lot of hopelessness, a lot of doubt. But after ‘Jawan’, I just feel lucky. There are still hard days, but it definitely makes all of the downs worth it. There’s still a lot to learn about show business. But I am enjoying the process of learning.
How did you bag the role in ‘Jawaan’?
In 2021, I was looking for work. That’s when I had called a casting agent from Mukesh Chhabra Casting and asked if there were any projects I could test for. He told me there was a role in a Red Chillies film for which I could audition. I prepared the scene and went in and it ended up being a really powerful scene. A week later, I got a call saying that the director wants to meet me. So, I went to the Red Chillies office and met Atlee sir and his wife Priya. He asked me a few questions like if I have any fighting training (I used to box for a year), if I was willing to change my hair drastically (I had just dyed my hair back from blue, so I was more than willing) and if I played any music (I’m a musician too). After that, he said, he would be in touch. A few days later, I got a call from the casting department saying I had been locked for the role! It was so unbelievably exciting.
Were you aware that Shah Rukh Khan will be the hero of the film?
Yes, I was. That’s why it was so surreal when I got cast! It was more exciting than news of being cast in any other project.
Recall your first few seconds/ minutes of meeting Shah Rukh Khan?
He came and gave me the warmest hug. He smells wonderful and gives the best hugs. We said we were really excited to work with him. On his part, he said “Not more excited than I am” which was really sweet and made me feel welcome.
Are you happy with the way your role has shaped up? Is there any scene in particular that you feel you could have done better?
I think Atlee sir has chosen good shots of me and I’m grateful to him for that. There was a lot that got cut in the edit. I think the movie is so massive and there’s so many storylines, that some of the more tender moments between Shahrukh sir and the girls had to get cut (read ‘edited’), along with many of my fight sequences. I wish the audience had got to see some of my more epic fight sections. Other than that, I am more than happy (smiles).
How did your friends and parents react to the news that you are doing a film with THE Shah Rukh Khan?
I wasn’t allowed to tell the news to lot of people. But, when I told my parents, they were so happy. They’re both huge Shah Rukh Khan fans, and they knew how much it meant to me, given how much I loved SRK films since childhood.
Recall a few memorable moments on the sets?
Shahrukh sir has the funniest stories from his old movies and it’s so crazy to hear what actually happened on the sets of your favourite films! I also loved spending time with my girls – the six girls in Shah Rukh sir’s core squad. We’re actually really close friends and bonded a lot on the sets. I remember we would sit in each other’s vanity vans and just tell funny stories or watch funny videos, and laugh till our stomachs hurt. Then we would also have our own little dance parties in the van whenever we got the time. I really think each one of them as family.
Describe the atmosphere on the sets with the arrival of Shah Rukh Khan…
I think he brings a certain stillness when he enters a room. People suddenly get quiet, and everyone stands up and is a lot more present. He usually has his bodyguards with him but I remember after one of them tried to stop one of the 6 girls early on, he told them “Never be around when my girls are there”. He invited us to sit with him. He’s really kind and it made me feel very comfortable and happy around him on the sets.
What is the one thing that you have learnt from Shah Rukh Khan?
I’ve learned a lot from him. But recently, when I asked him for his acting advice and he said “Just forget about right and wrong. Someone’s wrong may be someone else’s right. And sometimes the wrong is better which makes it right. You just have to keep doing it, keep doing it, keep acting.” He also said he is never fully happy with his performance, and that keeps the hunger in him alive to keep doing it. He reasoned it stating that if you perfect something, it becomes boring. Can anyone argue on that! (smiles)
Where did you see the film’s ‘first day first show’?
I saw it in PVR Juhu with the girls from the ‘Jawan’ squad and some of our family members. It was an awesome experience. People clapped and cheered for all our entries, and that continued throughout the film. A film like ‘Jawan’ makes the cinema come alive. It was made for the movie-going experience.
How has been the audiences’ reaction after seeing you in the theatre?
I think they were pretty excited. Everyone around us seemed to love the film.
Is Shah Rukh Khan a friend for life now?
I don’t know if he’s a friend for life, but I hope he is a mentor for life. I recently met him at a wedding, and he gave me the warmest hug and introduced me to the people he was with as his ‘Jawan’ girl. He also invited me to ‘Mannat’ to celebrate the success of the film and we partied and danced together. I feel like it’s a premium life experience to dance with SRK in his house to your own song.
Tell us honestly, how many selfies have you got clicked with Shah Rukh Khan?
I’ve clicked only one selfie because we were in our costumes every time. So, it was not possible to click pictures because of the fear of our looks from the film getting leaked. But recently, I got my selfie with him (again!) after we watched the film. And even better, I have a film with him on celluloid for the rest of time and life! I think that beats a selfie. (smiles)
How was the overall atmosphere while shooting for the film?
It was really fast paced and sometimes overwhelming. But, on the whole, it was really a super fun experience.
Now that you have worked with Shah Rukh Khan, which other Khan / Kumar / Kapoor/ Singh features on your bucket list now?
I would love to work with Shah Rukh sir again! He’s truly the ‘King Khan’ to me. Other than that, I would love to work with Ranveer Singh, even though he isn’t a Khan/Kumar/Kapoor. He’s a fantastic actor and I loved him as Rocky. I would also love to work with Deepika Padukone because she is my favourite actress. We did not get to do any scenes together in ‘Jawan’ unfortunately.
Now that the tornado called ‘Jawan’ is finally released, what’s next for you?
I am currently working on a much-awaited OTT show that should be announced soon. I think that will be out by the end of the year. I am also a professional musician (like my character Janvi in the film). That’s why, I am constantly releasing new music under the moniker ‘Jhalli’. I recently released my fun dream pop song called ‘Don’t Come Back’, which has garnered great response from everyone!