May 19, 2025: Before he was the “King of Bollywood,” Shah Rukh Khan was just another young theatre enthusiast with dreams in his eyes and a camera in hand. A recently resurfaced set of unseen black-and-white photographs from over 35 years ago has taken fans on a nostalgic ride—literally.
Shared by veteran actor Amar Talwar on Instagram, the images capture a young Shah Rukh Khan during a train journey from Delhi to Kolkata, surrounded by his theatre friends including Divya Seth, the late Rituraj Singh, and others. In the photos, a youthful SRK can be seen smiling, clicking pictures, and gazing out of the train—showcasing the early glimmers of the charisma that would one day charm millions.
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“More from that train ride 35 years ago …Delhi to Kolkata… Divya and Dipika and Shahrukh and Sanjoy and Deepak and Rituraj and Benny and Mohit and I behind the camera and where the hell was Barry?” Amar Talwar captioned the post.
The images appear to be from the late 1980s or very early 1990s, just before Shah Rukh made his move to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting. Before his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Deewana, SRK was deeply involved in Delhi’s theatre circuit, performing in plays and forming lifelong friendships that shaped his artistic journey.
Fans were quick to flood the comments section with awe and admiration:
- “SRK was the main character even then,” wrote one user.
- Another commented, “From here to the TOP. What a journey it must have been.”
- “He always had that aura,” one fan noted.
A Glimpse into Shah Rukh’s Humble Beginnings
While Shah Rukh Khan is now one of the most recognizable faces in global cinema, this rare look into his early years serves as a touching reminder of his humble beginnings and the camaraderie he shared with his theatre peers. For fans and cinephiles alike, these photos are not just a throwback — they are a visual prelude to a legendary career.
Actor Amar Talwar, best known for roles in Shanti and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, was behind the camera capturing these candid moments — unknowingly chronicling a slice of history before one of India’s biggest stars was born.