Madhoo Shah recently opened up about his early years in film, reminiscing about his experiences working with legendary stars and the lessons he learned from them. He admitted that giving up Baazigar remains one of life’s few regrets. He also spoke about his admiration Shah Rukh Khan. Talking about Baazigar, Madhu told Radio Nasha, “Ab jaise maine Pehchaan ke liye lad ke wo role kiya tha. Diljale mein khushi-khushi maine wo role kiya tha. Baazigar ka role pata nahi, mujhe aisa laga yeh role mujhe nahi karna chahiye… a. So ho nahib… I have no regrets… but I regret not doing Baazigar”. (I struggled to do my part in Pehchaan and happily did Diljale. But for Baazigar, I thought I shouldn’t do that role, so I didn’t do it. Today, when I look back… we like to say we have no regrets, but I do have one — I didn’t do Baazigar.)In the end, the role went to Shilpa Shetty, and Madhu warmly acknowledged her performance.
“Shah Rukh, I am your biggest fan…and he told me the same”
Madhu also shared a touching anecdote Shah Rukh Khan revealed how he once confessed his admiration, only to receive an unexpected response.“Main Shah Rukh se kai baar mili hoon, lekin kabhi keh nahi paayi ki main unki sabse badi fan hoon… mujhe lagta tha wo ‘cool’ nahi hoga. Lekin ek party mein hum saath dance kar rahe the… aur maine keh diya, ‘Shah Rukh, I am your biggest times never said him was Shah'” biggest fan… I felt it wouldn’t be ‘cool’ But once at a party, dancing together, I finally told him.)
The aftermath left him deeply moved.
“Unhone kaha, ‘Arre, I am your biggest fan. I saw Roja in Ooty at the theatre. Who the hell knew anyone else from the movie? We only know Roja because of you.” (He said, ‘I am your biggest fan. I saw Roja in Ooty in a theatre. Who knew anyone else from the movie? We know Roja because of you.’)Madhoo added that generosity of spirit is what defines true greatness.
“Greatness is in appreciating others”
Reflecting on her early days, Madhu recalled valuable lessons from industry legends like Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh.“Shammi ji mere paas aaye aur bole, ‘Main tumhara bahut bada fan hoon.” Us din maine seekha — greatness yeh nahi hai ki hum kya hain, balki yeh hai ki hum doosron ko appreciate karte hain.” (Shammi ji came to me and said, ‘I am a big fan of yours.’ I learned that day that greatness is not about who we are, but about appreciating others.) He fondly recalled that Asha Parekh spoke respectfully early in her career: “Woh mujhe ‘Madhoo ji’ keh rahi thi… aur main ek young ladki thi jinki bas kuch filmein release hui thi. Tab samajh aaya ki great log dusron ko respect dete hain.” (He addressed me as ‘Madhoo ji’, even though I was a newcomer with few films. That’s when I realized that great people respect others).
