Lehar Khan On Working With Shah Rukh Khan In ‘Jawan’: The Hunger In Him Is To Make Every Shot Right

From working with Shah Rukh Khan to being part of Ayan Mukerji’s ‘Brahmastra’ universe, Lehar bares her heart in a candid conversation with Prateek Sur. Excerpts:

How did you receive the offer for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Jawan’?

I was directly called for a meeting with Atlee sir (director Atlee Kumar) at the Red Chillies Entertainment office. We met for a brief moment and then left. Then, Mukesh sir’s (casting director Mukesh Chhabra) team got in touch for an audition. I received a call the very next day and Mukesh sir told me that the audition I gave was so good that they wanted me in the film. I couldn’t believe my ears. When I shared the news with my mother, we both started jumping. Then, I announced proudly in the house, “I AM GONNA WORK WITH SRK!”

Tell us about your character in ‘Jawan’.

I can’t really reveal anything about my character. The prevue of ‘Jawan’ is out and shows that I am part of a girl gang and SRK is our chief. You can see me with a sniper wearing my hoodie.

How was the experience working with Shah Rukh Khan?

It’s a dream of every actor to share the frame with him I believe. So, getting a chance to be around him, working with him and watching him perform firsthand is just crazy. I can’t begin to explain the love we have for Shah Rukh sir. So, working with him is like a constant reminder of ‘Oh it’s Shah Rukh sir’.

He’s extremely humble, and a very caring human being. I remember it was my first shot with him, and I was holding a lot of props in both hands. So, Shah Rukh sir sweetly held my props before the shot and fixed my collar because it was looking uneven. I was completely in awe of him and at the same time thanked him. He just looked and said, “Of course, don’t worry and just focus on your shot”. This was one of the many nice and one of the most memorable moments for me. It made me so comfortable not just as a person but also as an actor.

‘Jawan’ also stars a galaxy of south Indian actors like Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Priyamani, and Bollywood actors like Sanya Malhotra, and Sunil Grover?

It was a very enlightening and educational experience. Watching all these phenomenal actors perform gives you a push to learn from them and make yourself better. I have been following Vijay sir’s work for a while. His ‘Super Deluxe’ remains my favourite so far. When I saw him for the first time, I saw simplicity and shyness. When he performs, it’s pure magic. I was meeting Priya di (Priyamani) after seven years. The last time she saw me I was 15-years-old playing her stepdaughter in an advertisement that never came out. After seven years, I met her now as a 22-year-old in ‘Jawan’. It was a cute reunion for us. The sweetest thing was that she remembered a photograph we clicked together and shared on her birthday on Facebook. She is one of my absolute favourite people. Sanya is an absolute sweetheart. Her child-like energy is my favourite, her humbleness towards everyone around her touches me so much. The more I’m getting to know her, the more I love and respect her. After the first schedule of ‘Jawan’, I contracted Covid-19 and she stayed in touch to make sure I am fine. She even offered to send food every day for me and my mother. It was the sweetest gesture ever.

Nayanthara is the lady superstar. She has a personality and an aura of a star. I loved her energy and charisma. She is one of the strongest personalities I have met. Though I didn’t get to interact much with Sunil sir, I absolutely loved his energy and of course his sense of humour. He is a natural, making everyone laugh around him.

Working with Shah Rukh Khan is anybody’s dream, especially those who have seen him during the 90s. When you got the offer, what was your reaction?

I believe when it comes to Shah Rukh sir, I have been a fan since I was in my mother’s womb. No kidding, my mom is the biggest fan of Shah Rukh sir and when I was born, for some reason I would never watch anyone apart from him on screen. My parents were shocked to see that I would stop crying, or cribbing as a child whenever he would be on screen. I have not watched anyone else apart from him for the longest period of my life. My parents tried to take me to a film of some other actor and I cried so much that no one got to see the film. Since then, the rule was only Shah Rukh sir in the house. I have watched his films with utmost pleasure and love. I remember doing that slide on my knees that he did in his film ‘Main Hoon Na’, every day I would just slide all the way from the balcony to my room through the lobby and then play ‘Gori Gori’ song, and dance. I have practiced all his stunts from ‘Badshah’ on my parents, jumping on them, punching them and doing the elbow jab. I have grown up like this so you can imagine my excitement when I got the film. The excitement in me and my mother was just touching the sky. It’s an unbelievable moment in my life.

How was working with director Atlee Kumar in ‘Jawan’?

Atlee sir is all heart. Working with him was so wholesome. I was always looking forward to working with him. His command over his direction and clarity over what he wants is amazing. In so many beautiful interactions with sir, I remember his utmost care and love, making sure that nothing is negatively affecting his actors. I find it extremely beautiful that he makes sure that everyone who is working on his film, his cast, and crew are all treated well, and taken care of. He expressively shows his affection and gratitude towards his team, which is admirable. Working with him as his actor was a fun and learning process for me. I am grateful to him for believing in me and showing his trust in me for such a big film filled with a great list of actors.

You have been part of an action film like ‘Jawan’. What kind of preparation was required for the character?

Preparation of action in life for me took place with Brahmastra. I underwent physical training for ‘Brahmastra’ for six months before the shooting started. I took training in MMA for full body strengthening. So, for the action sequences in ‘Jawan’, the rehearsals definitely became easier for me with that kind of training. We had some basic preps like learning how to handle guns before the shoot. I can’t reveal much about the preparation of my character right now. Action is one of my favourite genres, and as an actor, I look forward to getting more and more action films, as I thoroughly enjoy it.

How was the working experience with Ayan Mukerji in ‘Brahmastra’?

It was an experience to remember. For a newcomer, who has worked as a child actor before, directly working on a set as humongous as ‘Brahmastra’ was an extremely special feeling. It was a very new experience… I was doing action for the first time. It was a chance to prove my acting acumen and having to work with Ayan Mukerji was important to have that trust. He took that leap of faith with a new actor, and it was a huge thing. I’m very thankful to him for giving me such a huge opportunity. We shot for a really long time, and that’s a set where I learned a little about the pressure and work of a director, the things that rely on them. I will forever be grateful to be a part of this huge universe called ‘Brahmastra’.

What’s your expectation from ‘Jawan’? Do you think it will open doors and fetch good opportunities for you?

More than expectations, I hope that I have given justice to my role and my part in the film. I believe if I did, it would definitely open doors and opportunities. A film as big as ‘Jawan’ will be watched all over the world. There is no limit to the fans of Shah Rukh sir. I am one myself, and right now I just can’t wait for it to be released honestly. I am eagerly waiting for September 7, 2023.

What did you learn from megastar Shah Rukh Khan while working on ‘Jawan’?

He rehearses till he perfects it. The want and the hunger in him are to make every shot right. Also, he showed us how important rehearsals are. He wouldn’t waste any take, just rehearse it till he gives it in one take. It’s amazing to watch him. Also, he made everyone feel welcomed and loved. He always and always smells the best. He has the utmost patience even after being superstar Shah Rukh Khan. He gives the warmest and best hugs.

We all know Shah Rukh Khan is witty. So, how was your experience when you met him for the first time?

So, when I was working on ‘Brahmastra’ I got to know that the character of scientist will be played by Shah Rukh sir, and me being a fan since childhood got so excited to know that I’m in the same film as him and will get a chance to meet him. But our characters never interacted in the film. I was just so sad and I could see the dream-crushing in front of my eyes. But little did I know that in my next film, I will be with him directly. I told him later that I was in Brahmastra, too, and he acknowledged. In fact, I remember showing him my 0.5-second shot in the trailer, and remember him looking at my face blankly and then cutely he took a screenshot of my shot on the phone and said he will keep it. Even though it sounds like a small conversation to me, it was a journey of three years, where I thought I won’t get a chance to meet him, to get a film with him. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

What are your future plans?

The plan is simple… to keep working hard and doing good work. Hopefully, I will keep giving performances that are worth watching. I want people to cry with me, laugh with me and dance with me in the theatres. I want to give them many reasons to come back and watch me in my next project.