Bollywood’s iconic trio – Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan – recently graced an event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, making a rare joint appearance. During their time on stage, they openly discussed their enduring stardom, the bonds of their friendship, and their individual cinematic journeys that have shaped Hindi cinema for over three decades.
The three superstars, often celebrated as the “Khans of Bollywood,” captivated the audience during a special session at the Joy Forum 2025 on Friday.
Salman Khan, known for his unique blend of humor and straightforwardness, downplayed the notion of stardom, emphasizing that none of them truly see themselves as “stars.”
He explained, “None of us refer to ourselves as stars. While journalists might label us as ‘Salman Khan, star’ or ‘Aamir Khan, super duper star,’ we don’t personally subscribe to that. At home, we’re just like anyone else; I still get lectured by my parents.”
The 59-year-old actor further added, “It’s the collaborative effort of our directors, cinematographers, writers, and especially the audiences that elevate us. They are the ones who transform ordinary individuals like me into the figures you see on screen.”
Shah Rukh Khan, meanwhile, attributed their immense popularity to the deep emotional connection they share with their fans.
He elaborated, “Aamir is incredibly methodical, a true perfectionist, always working diligently to craft a compelling story. Salman, on the other hand, approaches his work with a free-spirited, heartfelt spontaneity. I try to combine elements of both approaches. But ultimately, the core value that unites the three of us, and countless other stars who will emerge, is the emotional resonance our films carry.”
Shah Rukh continued, “Perhaps it’s rooted in our Indian culture, a familial connection that, regardless of the story or character we portray – be it a good guy, a villain, happy, poor, or rich – allows this emotional bond and cultural aspect to transcend linguistic and platform barriers.”
The actor, who will celebrate his 60th birthday on November 2, expressed his commitment to “serving audiences.”
He stated, “I am dedicated to ensuring they are entertained, and I am eternally grateful for the love and unwavering support my fans have shown me over the past 35 years. I truly admire these gentlemen. Look at me, I’m still looking up to Salman! They are both inspiring and aspirational, and I feel incredibly honored to share this stage with them.”
Aamir Khan reflected on the role of destiny and timing in their careers, acknowledging that it’s “impossible to fully explain how or why we became stars.”
The 60-year-old actor mused, “We were perhaps fortunate to be born in India, which allowed us to be a part of Hindi cinema. Had we been born elsewhere, our paths might have been entirely different.”
Aamir concluded, “It’s a confluence of opportunity and being at the right place at the right time. Of course, everyone puts in hard work, but many influential factors that contribute to success are simply beyond our direct control.”
In one of the session’s most memorable moments, Salman playfully highlighted that he and Aamir both come from film backgrounds. “But this man here (referring to SRK) didn’t — he came from Delhi,” Salman quipped.
Shah Rukh quickly retorted, “Salman, I’m sorry, but I also come from a film family. Salman’s family is my family. Aamir’s family is my family.” This drew a witty response from Aamir, “Now you know why Shah Rukh is a star,” which was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Aamir also shared that he considers himself “the most reluctant star” among the three. He admitted, “I prefer to stay out of the spotlight; I’m not entirely comfortable with all the attention.”
Later, Shah Rukh hinted at the exciting prospect of the three superstars finally collaborating on a much-anticipated project.
He remarked, “It’s been too long that I’ve been humble… too nice, too kind. I must say, if the three of us are involved in a project, it’s a dream in itself. Hopefully not a nightmare… Inshallah, whenever a suitable opportunity and story arise, we are always open to it. Whenever Aamir, Salman, and I get together, I feel incredibly thankful to be on the same stage with them.”
Salman playfully challenged him, saying, “Shah Rukh has a habit of repeating one particular line… I want him to say it here. Try and state right now that nobody can afford the three of us in a film together. Say it.” Shah Rukh responded with a grin, “I wouldn’t dare say that in Saudi, because everyone here would instantly declare, ‘Habibi, done, done, done!’ Affordability isn’t just about money; it’s about our schedules, our unique working styles, and our individual quirks. We joke around so much that any director would constantly have to tell us to get back to work!” Aamir affirmed that all three feel emotionally ready to collaborate on a film.
He concluded, “It simply boils down to finding the perfect script. So, hopefully… the script will be the most crucial element for the three of us to unite on screen.”