‘Shah Rukh Khan supplied samosas to Us’: Pankaj Kapur’s unexpected NSD memory about a 10-year-Old future superstar

Before he became one of the biggest stars in global cinema, Shah Rukh Khan was unknowingly creating memories that would one day become treasured stories for some of India’s most respected actors.

Veteran actor Pankaj Kapur recently shared a delightful anecdote from his student days at the National School of Drama (NSD), recalling how a young Shah Rukh Khan once played a small but memorable role behind the scenes of a major theatre production.

The story emerged during a conversation on a YouTube channel, where Kapur reflected on his early years in theatre and a reunion with his former NSD classmates.

A Reunion Filled With Memories

Pankaj Kapur revealed that he recently celebrated 50 years since graduating from NSD and hosted a reunion at his home. The gathering quickly turned into a nostalgic journey through decades-old memories from their theatre days in Delhi.

Among the many stories discussed was their experience working under legendary theatre director Ebrahim Alkazi, a towering figure in Indian theatre who was known for staging grand productions at historic locations.

Kapur recalled that Alkazi was simultaneously directing acclaimed plays such as Razia Sultan, Tughlaq, and Andha Yug at Delhi’s iconic Purana Qila.

The ancient fort provided a dramatic backdrop for the productions, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for both actors and audiences.

The Naan-and-Samosa Plan

One particular memory from the production of Razia Sultan stood out.

In a scene depicting hungry citizens gathering before the ruler, Kapur and several first-year students were cast as members of the crowd. During the performance, actors portraying soldiers were required to throw pieces of naan into the crowd as part of the staging.

The students soon saw an opportunity.

Kapur recalled that he and his friends developed a secret system. The soldiers would deliberately toss the naans in their direction, and the students would catch and save them.

During the interval, the group would gather backstage and enjoy an improvised feast of naan, tea, and samosas.

It was a simple act of youthful creativity that made their theatre days even more memorable.

Enter a Young Shah Rukh Khan

What makes the story particularly fascinating is the identity of the person who helped provide those samosas.

According to Kapur, the snacks came from none other than a 10-year-old Shah Rukh Khan.

At the time, Shah Rukh’s father reportedly operated the canteen at the National School of Drama, making the future superstar a familiar face around the institution.

Recalling the memory, Kapur revealed that the young boy would supply the samosas that became part of their backstage gatherings.

The revelation offers a rare glimpse into Shah Rukh Khan’s childhood years, long before he entered the world of acting and became one of India’s most celebrated entertainers.

Shah Rukh Khan Had Spoken About NSD Earlier

The story also aligns with comments Shah Rukh Khan made in a previous interview, where he acknowledged his family’s connection to NSD.

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The actor had shared that his father ran the institution’s canteen and that he spent considerable time around theatre artists and performers during his formative years.

Those interactions, he said, exposed him to experienced actors and helped shape his understanding of performance and storytelling long before his own acting career began.

Two Remarkable Journeys

The anecdote also highlights the remarkable journeys of both men.

Pankaj Kapur went on to become one of India’s most respected actors, earning acclaim for performances in films such as Maqbool, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Ek Doctor Ki Maut, and Jersey, along with memorable television shows like Karamchand and Office Office.

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan transformed from a theatre-loving boy in Delhi into an international icon, earning titles such as King Khan and Badshah of Bollywood through a career filled with blockbuster successes.

Looking Ahead

Today, Shah Rukh Khan continues to remain one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema. The actor is currently preparing for the release of his upcoming film King, directed by Siddharth Anand.

The highly anticipated project also stars Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Suhana Khan, Raghav Juyal, Saurabh Shukla, and Arshad Warsi, and is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on December 24, 2026.

For fans, however, Pankaj Kapur’s latest recollection serves as a reminder that every superstar has humble beginnings—and sometimes those beginnings involve serving samosas backstage to aspiring actors who would themselves become legends.