Shah Rukh Khan Recalls Coming To Mumbai, Says, 'I lost a family in 24 hours….'

Shah Rukh Khan's speech at the Waves Summit 2025 in Mumbai delved into the complex topic of insiders versus outsiders in Bollywood. Known as the ultimate outsider who achieved massive success, SRK used the platform to challenge the conventional labels. He encouraged a shift away from these limiting categories.

Instead, Khan proposed a new perspective. He emphasized the importance of talent and hard work, regardless of one's background. He advocated for a more inclusive industry that values creativity and collaboration above all else.

During a candid conversation at the Waves Summit 2025, moderated by Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone discussed the insider-outsider dynamic in Bollywood. SRK, reflecting on his career, challenged the idea that background should dictate success. He highlighted the importance of individual effort and talent.

Shah Rukh Khan challenged the idea that extreme ambition is the key to success. He emphasized that he never viewed himself as an outsider. Instead, he embraced the industry as his own from the very beginning.

Khan dismissed the insider-outsider label, arguing that background is irrelevant. He believes success is determined by an individual's actions and ability to create their own space.

Drawing on his personal experience, Shah Rukh Khan shared how warmly he was welcomed by the industry.

When I came here, I never told myself I don’t belong. I lost a family in 24 hours, and in the next 24 hours, I gained a new one. Everyone embraced me like a new son arriving at Marine Drive. I felt this world was mine—this place was mine

- Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan believes the true challenge isn't being an outsider, but the belief of not belonging. He thinks self-pity and focusing on disadvantages hold people back. He highlighted that impact, not background, is what truly matters.

The actor, renowned for his resilience and love for cinema, motivates aspiring actors to look beyond their beginnings. He encourages them to concentrate on creating their own legacy. “Forget insider-outsider. The world you want to enter doesn’t care about you until you show why you matter. That’s what I did. That’s what you should do.”