Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, who played the lead role alongside Shah Rukh Khan in the 2017 film Raees, has once again addressed online criticism. Known for her frequent mentions of Shah Rukh in interviews, Mahira often faces accusations of seeking attention. Despite this, she responded to trolls with confidence at the 2024 Aalami Urdu Conference in Karachi. When asked about her experience working with Shah Rukh, she acknowledged that it’s a frequently asked question but expressed her enduring enthusiasm for discussing the King of Bollywood.
“Mujhse koi poochhta hai toh main uska jawab deti hoon. Phir logon ko lagta hai ke main unke baare mein baat kar rahi hoon. Main apne aap kabhi nahin baat karti unke baare mein,” Mahira explained, addressing the trolling she faces on social media. Often accused of using Shah Rukh Khan’s name for publicity, Mahira reacted to the criticism, saying, “Mujhe yeh hota hai ke aap mujhse poochhiye hi nahin unke baare mein phir.”
Shah Rukh Khan and Mahira Khan’s on-screen pairing in Raees (2017), directed by Rahul Dholakia, was nothing short of unforgettable. Their chemistry was palpable, and Mahira’s portrayal of Shah Rukh’s love interest was nothing short of compelling and layered. The film received widespread acclaim for Mahira’s performance.
The song ‘Zaalima’ from Raees, sung by Arijit Singh and Harshdeep Kaur, beautifully captured the chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Mahira Khan.
In a chat with casting director Mukesh Chhabra on his YouTube channel, director Rahul Dholakia shared that several actresses, including Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, and Anushka Sharma, were initially considered for the role. But for some reason, they couldn’t make it. And guess who ended up getting the part? Mahira Khan! It just so happened that Mahira was in Mumbai during the casting process.
