Filmmaker Ashima Chibber recently opened up about one of her most cherished and hilarious memories from her early Bollywood journey — a moment that involved none other than Shah Rukh Khan during the success bash of the 2006 blockbuster “Don”.
Speaking at a recent film festival panel in Mumbai, Chibber, who was then an assistant director on the film, recounted the light-hearted incident that still brings a smile to her face.
“It was the success party for Don, and the whole team was on a high. Everyone was celebrating, the energy was electric. I was young, broke, and thrilled to be in the same room as Shah Rukh Khan,” Chibber shared with a laugh. “Somehow, by the end of the night, I ended up at the table where the bill came. I jokingly asked SRK, ‘Shall we split this?’”
The room reportedly burst into laughter — including SRK himself — who, known for his quick wit and humility, played along. “He laughed and said, ‘Sure, how about you take care of the tip?’” Chibber recalled.
The moment became one of the most memorable from her early career and reflected the casual camaraderie that often exists behind the scenes in the film industry, far from the glitz and glamour seen by the public.
Ashima Chibber went on to direct her own films, including the well-received Mere Dad Ki Maruti and Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. Reflecting on her early days working on a high-profile film like Don, she said, “Those were formative years. Watching Farhan Akhtar direct, seeing how SRK worked on set — it shaped my understanding of cinema and professionalism.”
The anecdote has since gone viral on social media, with fans praising SRK’s grounded nature and Chibber’s candidness.
On X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote: “Only Ashima Chibber could have the guts to ask King Khan to split a bill. Love her energy!” Another added, “SRK’s reply is peak SRK. Tip joke is gold!”
With the buzz around Don 3 building and Ashima working on her next project, the story has come as a nostalgic reminder of a time when Bollywood’s biggest stars and future directors were all just passionate people sharing a table — and sometimes, even a joke about the bill.
