SRK was destined to be a somebody: BARRY JOHN

It was Teacher's Day in India on 5th September. To mark the event, DNA India asked Barry John - the now famous theatre teacher of one of the biggest Indian icons Shah Rukh Khan - to speak about his superstar student. SRK learned acting from Barry John at Delhi's Theatre Action Group and worked in theatre before entering Bollywood. Here is what Barry John had to say about his most famous student and SRK about his teacher.

Shah Rukh Khan on his guru:
"The days when I was doing theatre in Delhi was an interesting time. Barry (John) was a great support when I was doing theatre in his group. Barry is a great teacher and above all, he is a great human being. I have learned so much from him both on stage and off it. I have always remained indebted to everybody with whom I have come in contact with at any point in my life. And that includes Barry, who'll always have a special space in my life. Most of my friends even now laugh at me that I have become a film star. Besides the fact that I work hard, God's blessings and all those people (like Barry) who have been kind to me have made it happen."

Theatre director Barry John on his most famous student:
"There are a lot of factors that go into the making when you are trying to make the cut in Bollywood - talent, perseverance, belief in yourself, a never-give-up-attitude and of course, a bit of luck. Shah Rukh had the perfect combination of all of them. Yes, he is my most famous student and I am known all over as somebody who taught acting to him. But I won't take credit for that as I believe that everything that you do is a learning process. If you look at Shah Rukh's life closely, it is the stuff of what dreams are made of. Shah Rukh's life is like a fairy tale - there's tragedy, loss, comedy and a success that none has seen so far. He was there in the right place at the right time, and worked his way up to the top without anyone there to push him. This is true that he is the reason why so many believe that they can make it in Bollywood, even if they are not related to any big-shot in Bollywood. Nobody can make anybody. Shah Rukh was destined to be a somebody, and he's also one of the most intelligent persons that I have come across. I am so proud of him like the rest of the country."

Below: Picture of SRK with Barry John (left of SRK) and other students during his theatre days in Delhi.