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Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan & Aamir Khan reunite at Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh to discuss fame, fans & 35 years of stardom in a once-in-a-lifetime Bollywood moment.
In a rare and historic reunion, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan shared the stage at Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh.
It was a moment for the history books — a sight that generations of Indian cinema lovers had long yearned for. On a glittering evening at Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, the three titans of Bollywood — Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan — came together on the same stage, not for a film, not for an award, but for a conversation about the one thing that has bound them for over three decades: stardom.
The Joy Forum, one of the world’s most influential entertainment summits, hosted the trio under the patronage of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). The two-day global event aims to redefine the business of entertainment and creativity — and the sight of India’s three biggest superstars sharing a platform embodied that vision perfectly.
As cameras flashed and the packed audience erupted in applause, the Khans took their seats, carrying the weight of 35 years of cinematic history between them. What followed was an unfiltered, often humorous, and deeply introspective dialogue on fame, vulnerability, creativity, and their relationship with the audience that made them who they are.
Aamir Khan Opens Up: “Among the Three of Us, I’m Probably the Most Reluctant Star”
The conversation began with Aamir Khan, who admitted that being in the public eye had never come naturally to him, “Among the three of us, I am probably the most reluctant star,” Aamir said candidly. “I like to stay in the corner. I don’t like the limelight on me — I’m not comfortable with that.”
His statement was met with a playful interjection from Shah Rukh Khan, who quipped, “You always wanted to be a star more than both of us.” To which Salman Khan added with a smirk, “He was the first born star.”
But Aamir, always the introspective one, smiled and continued, “I am more of an introvert. I’ve always been uncomfortable in many ways. But all of us have our own ways of dealing with it.”
This mix of humour and honesty set the tone for what would become one of the most authentic public conversations among the trio in years.
Shah Rukh Khan on Fame and Noise: “Everything Else Is Just Noise — Believe in Your Story”
Taking over, Shah Rukh Khan — eloquent as ever — reflected on navigating fame in the era of social media, “I don’t want to take away the importance of social media,” SRK began thoughtfully. “But when you’re in the public eye — whether you’re an actor, a creator, or anyone else — you need blinkers on. Cinema, storytelling, creativity — all of it begins with belief. And if you believe in what you’re doing, everything else becomes noise.”
He elaborated further, his voice calm but firm, “Every morning, if we were to look at social media, people would tell us what film to do, who to star with, what to wear, and even how to sit. But that’s not art. You must begin your day and end your career with one thing — faith in your story. You must tell the story you believe in, and everything else will follow.”
The hall broke into applause. In that moment, SRK wasn’t just addressing actors but creators, dreamers, and anyone learning to tune out the chaos of public opinion, “For 35 years, we’ve been surrounded by this noise,” he added. “But at the end of the day, we’re shy people who’ve just learned to live with it. We don’t take fame seriously — we take our work seriously.”
Salman Khan Reflects: “Success Has Made More Failures Than Failure Itself”
As the audience leaned in, Salman Khan shared a story from his teenage years that perfectly captured how movies can shape identity, “I must have been 13 or 14 when I went to watch Enter the Dragon,” he said, grinning. “When I came out of the theatre, I thought I was Bruce Lee. I got beaten up, of course,” he laughed.
But then came the insight — the Salman-style philosophy wrapped in simplicity, “That impact of cinema stayed with me. When people walk out of the theatre, they should want a son like you, a brother like you, a husband like you. That’s the magic of a good character. Films should make you walk out as a 20% better person.”
He paused, and his voice softened, “But I’ve also seen success make more failures than failure itself. When you fail, you get up and work harder. When you succeed, arrogance sets in. You can take credit for failure because you chose it — but success belongs to everyone.”
It was classic Salman — grounded, reflective, and wise in his own unconventional way.
On Fans, Fame, and Staying Grateful
When asked about maintaining healthy boundaries with fame, the three Khans shared a rare moment of unity, “You have to be true to yourself,” Shah Rukh answered on behalf of the trio. “Stardom humbles you. It makes you grateful. We’re in the service of the audience — and every gesture, every dialogue, every scene is for them.”
He continued, “We don’t even like calling them fans. They’re people who love us, and we owe them the same love back. For 35 years, they’ve stood by us — and our job is to make sure they leave the theatre inspired, entertained, and maybe even a little happier.”
Aamir nodded, while Salman added, “The audience is your biggest reality check. You can never take that love for granted. It’s sacred.”
The Legacy of Three Legends
As the conversation came to an end, the symbolism of the moment wasn’t lost on anyone.
Three men who once defined eras of competition and cinematic dominance now sat side by side — relaxed, reflective, and proud of the legacy they built together.
Their philosophies may differ — SRK’s poetic idealism, Salman’s straightforward wisdom, and Aamir’s analytical introspection — but their shared reverence for cinema and the audience binds them in a brotherhood that transcends fame.
For fans across generations, seeing them laugh, debate, and celebrate one another wasn’t just nostalgia — it was a reminder of why they became legends in the first place.
About Joy Forum 2025
The Joy Forum 2025 is being held in Riyadh on October 16–17, under the patronage of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). The event brings together world leaders from the entertainment industry, global speakers, and creators shaping the future of cinema and live performance.
What’s Next for the Khans?
Shah Rukh Khan is currently shooting for King, an action thriller directed by Siddharth Anand, co-starring Deepika Padukone, Suhana Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan. Salman Khan is busy with Battle of Glawan directed by Apurva Lakhia, while also hosting Bigg Boss 19.
Aamir Khan will soon return to screens in Rajkumar Hirani’s upcoming biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, India’s cinema pioneer.
Interestingly, all three also made cameo appearances in Aryan Khan’s hit series The Ba****ds of Bollywood earlier this year — a fitting tribute to their enduring legacy in an industry they helped shape.
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun…Read More
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun… Read More
October 17, 2025, 20:18 IST
