Dabboo Ratnani: The Man Who Predicted Shah Rukh Khan's Stardom
New Delhi: Celebrity photographer Dabboo Ratnani, who has collaborated with numerous Bollywood stars during his illustrious career spanning more than two decades, has recently disclosed an intriguing revelation about his association with renowned actor Shah Rukh Khan. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Ratnani unveiled that he had actually known Khan prior to his foray into the Bollywood realm. Recounting their initial encounter, Ratnani shared, "Before his debut, when Shah Rukh Khan arrived from Delhi with aspirations of becoming an actor, we had a mutual friend. I distinctly recall capturing him in a captivating outdoor photoshoot, with him posing on the hood of my car."
During the interview with Hindustan Times, when asked about his initial impression of Shah Rukh Khan, Dabboo Ratnani confidently expressed, "Right from the moment I met him, I had this strong intuition that he was destined for immense stardom. The sheer intelligence that emanated from him and the words he spoke were evident indicators of that unmistakable spark in his eyes."
Daboo Ratnani and Shah Rukh Khan's close bond is no secret, evident through their frequent collaborations and the actor's regular appearances on the photographer's Instagram page. Recalling a memorable shoot with SRK, Daboo reminisced, "I have a special memory of Shah Rukh. I visited his house and dressed him in a suit, complete with a pinned-up bow tie. Curious, he asked for the idea behind it. I replied that it would be a surprise. We prepared him with makeup and styled his hair. To add a unique touch, I borrowed the gardener's bicycle and instructed him to sit on it. The result was absolutely fabulous!"
A few months ago, Dabboo Ratnani delighted his followers by sharing a candid picture of himself with his beloved Shah Rukh Khan, taken during a behind-the-scenes moment. The photo captures the duo seated on a bicycle, confidently posing for the camera. Shah Rukh Khan is seen wearing a white shirt and black pants in the image. Accompanying the photo was a caption that expressed Ratnani's fondness, stating, "Behind-the-scenes with Dabboo and my absolute favorite, Shah Rukh Khan."
Dabboo Ratnani has once again treated his Instagram followers to a behind-the-scenes glimpse, this time featuring the iconic Shah Rukh Khan. The renowned photographer shared a montage of pictures with the caption, "BTS with Dabboo and the original Baazigar, Shah Rukh Khan." He further mentioned that these images are part of his celebrity calendar for this year. It's worth noting that Baazigar, directed by Abbas and Mustan Burmawalla, marked Shah Rukh Khan's prominent role in 1993. The film also starred Kajol and Shilpa Shetty in significant roles.
Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film "Jawan," helmed by director Atlee, is scheduled to hit the screens on September 7. Alongside Khan, the movie features talented actors Nayanthara, Sanya Malhotra, and Vijay Sethupathi in significant roles.