SRK's vanity van ‘was like a house’ recalls Priyamani

Shah Rukh Khan may be known as the King of

Bollywood

, but to actress Priyamani, he’s also been a kind co-star, a hardworking dancer, and someone who once proudly called her his teacher. For the

National Award-winning actress

, working with SRK has gone beyond just facing the camera, it’s been an experience filled with fun, warmth, and unforgettable memories.In a conversation with Humans of Bombay, Priyamani opened up about her special connection with Shah Rukh Khan, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from hit films like ‘

Chennai Express

’ and ‘

Jawan

’.

Helping SRK dance in ‘Chennai Express’One of Priyamani’s biggest memories with the ‘Baazigar’ actor goes back to their high-energy dance number ‘1 2 3 4 Get on the Dance Floor’ in the hit film ‘Chennai Express’. The song is loved by fans even today, and many believe she was the one who taught SRK how to nail those South Indian-style steps.

But the actress is quick to set the record straight. “For someone like Shah Rukh to take on such an energetic song in a completely different style was commendable,” she shared, adding how much effort he put in to get it right.She also revealed how SRK went the extra mile during rehearsals. “He didn’t need to do that, but he did,” she said with admiration. “He used to bring in the choreographer’s assistants and rehearse post pack-up. That’s the kind of dedication he brings to set.” Though many said she taught him how to dance, Priyamani humbly explained she just helped him out a bit. “I didn’t teach him, I helped him.”When the superstar became the studentFast forward to 2023’s blockbuster ‘Jawan’, and Priyamani once again found herself dancing alongside Shah Rukh Khan—this time in the song ‘Zinda Banda’. But during rehearsals, something unexpected happened. The actress remembered how she was originally placed behind SRK in the formation when he suddenly paused everything.“Why are you standing there?” he asked, before gently moving her to the front. He then turned to director Atlee and said, “This girl is my teacher—she’s going to stand right in front of me.” It was a surprising and touching moment for Priyamani, who admitted feeling a mix of emotions. “Of course I was embarrassed, but also incredibly happy,” she said. “He kept looking at me for cues during the steps and made sure I stayed by his side. When Shah Rukh Khan says it, you just can’t say no.”Games, laughter and a priceless memoryIt wasn’t just hard work on the sets of ‘Chennai Express’. There was plenty of fun too. Between shots, Priyamani shared that the two of them played the popular quiz game ‘

Kaun Banega Crorepati

’ on SRK’s iPad. Much to her surprise, she actually won! “By fluke, I got the right answer, and he handed me a 100-rupee note as a prize,” she laughed. “I may not have that note anymore, but the memory is priceless.”Dinner inside the iconic Vanity VanAs filming for ‘Chennai Express’ was coming to an end, Priyamani got another memorable moment with SRK—this time over dinner. The ‘My Name Is Khan’ actor invited her into his famous vanity van for a meal, and the actress was left awestruck by how homely it felt. “It was like a house—warm, personal, filled with family pictures and tasteful decor. I was just in awe,” she said.Priyamani, who made her film debut in 2003, has delivered powerful performances across languages. With films like ‘Paruthiveeran’, ‘Thirakkatha’, and ‘Chaarulatha’ under her belt, she has long been a respected name in Indian cinema. In recent years, her roles in Bollywood and on OTT platforms—such as ‘Jawan’, ‘Article 370’, and ‘The

Family Man

’—have brought her back into the national spotlight.