Akshay Oberoi Praises King Co-Star Shah Rukh Khan, Calls Him “One of the Kindest”

Akshay Oberoi has opened up about his experience around Shah Rukh Khan on the sets of the upcoming film King, praising the Bollywood superstar for his warmth, kindness and ability to make people feel comfortable almost immediately.

Oberoi, who is currently receiving attention for his work in Yash’s Toxic, is set to be seen in King, which brings together an ensemble of prominent names from Hindi cinema.

Although Oberoi revealed that he and Shah Rukh Khan have not shared scenes together, he said his experience of meeting and interacting with the superstar has left a strong impression on him.

Speaking about Shah Rukh’s personality away from the cameras, Oberoi said the actor’s friendliness does not feel manufactured. According to him, Khan has a natural ability to interact with people as though they have known each other for years.

Akshay Oberoi says Shah Rukh Khan visits the set even when he is not shooting

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Akshay Oberoi said that he had not shared screen space with Shah Rukh Khan but had observed the superstar’s presence around the production.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t shared the screen space. But he comes to the set even when he isn’t shooting,” Oberoi said.

He then praised Khan’s reputation for treating people warmly and respectfully.

“He is what everyone says he is. He’s one of the kindest, gentlest people,” he added.

Oberoi further explained that Shah Rukh has an approachable way of interacting with those around him.

“In five minutes, he’s talking to you like you’re his buddy. That comes naturally to him… it’s not like it’s a put-on. He can’t be faking it for all these years.”

The actor’s comments add to the many accounts from colleagues and industry professionals who have spoken over the years about Shah Rukh Khan’s reputation for making people feel welcome on film sets.

For Oberoi, the interaction appears to have reinforced the public perception he had previously heard about the superstar.

“One of the kindest, gentlest people”

Akshay’s remarks focused particularly on what he described as the natural quality of Shah Rukh Khan’s warmth.

For actors and technicians working on a major production, the atmosphere created by a film’s leading star can often influence the overall working environment. Oberoi suggested that Khan’s ability to connect easily with people contributes to the relaxed impression he makes on those around him.

His observation that Shah Rukh can speak to someone “like you’re his buddy” within minutes offers a glimpse into the actor’s off-screen personality from the perspective of a fellow performer.

The statement is particularly notable because Oberoi clarified that the two have not actually shared screen space in King. His comments, therefore, are based on his personal interactions with the superstar around the production rather than on an extended on-screen collaboration.

Akshay Oberoi also praises Siddharth Anand

During the same conversation, Akshay Oberoi spoke warmly about filmmaker Siddharth Anand and producer Mamta Anand, describing them as among his favourite people in the film industry.

“I got to reunite with my favourite people in the industry, Siddharth Anand and Mamta Anand,” Oberoi said.

His praise for Siddharth Anand was especially emphatic.

“I’d jump off a cliff for that man. He trusted me so much,” the actor said.

Oberoi credited the filmmaker with playing an important role in bringing him greater mainstream visibility.

According to the actor, his journey towards larger projects received a boost after Siddharth Anand cast him in Fighter in 2024.

How Fighter helped Akshay Oberoi gain mainstream attention

Akshay Oberoi also reflected on the long journey that led him to his current phase as an actor.

He said his appearance in Fighter helped him gain wider mainstream attention after years of working in smaller films.

“He gave me mainstream attention after years of grinding in small films,” Oberoi said while speaking about Siddharth Anand.

Oberoi also linked his appearance in Toxic to the visibility he received from his earlier work.

“I’m in Toxic because of him, because Geetu saw me in Fighter,” he added.

His comments underline the importance of visibility and professional relationships in the film industry, where a single performance or high-profile project can lead to new opportunities.

Oberoi said he remains deeply grateful for the trust Siddharth Anand placed in him.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay him for that in this lifetime,” he said.

Akshay Oberoi’s busy phase in Bollywood

Akshay Oberoi is currently going through one of the busiest phases of his acting career.

His film Toxic, starring Yash, is currently in theatres, while King is among his upcoming projects.

Before King, Oberoi is scheduled to appear in Love Lottery, which is expected to release in theatres on September 18.

The actor also has Aashram Season 4 in his upcoming slate and has joined filmmaker Neeraj Pandey’s next project, which also stars Manoj Bajpayee.

With projects spanning theatrical films and streaming entertainment, Oberoi’s upcoming slate reflects his growing presence across different formats and genres.

Shah Rukh Khan gave fans a King teaser surprise

King has already generated substantial interest among Shah Rukh Khan’s fans.

In 2025, the actor surprised audiences on his birthday by sharing a teaser connected to the film. The clip gave fans a glimpse of Shah Rukh in a different action-oriented avatar and added to the anticipation surrounding the project.

Details about the film have been closely followed by audiences, particularly because of its extensive cast and the interest surrounding Shah Rukh’s next big-screen appearance.

The project is also expected to feature a number of prominent Bollywood stars.

King cast includes several major Bollywood names

Apart from Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Oberoi, King features a star-studded ensemble, according to the information associated with the project.

The cast includes:

• Shah Rukh Khan
• Suhana Khan
• Abhishek Bachchan
• Deepika Padukone
• Anil Kapoor
• Jackie Shroff
• Arshad Warsi
• Rani Mukerji
• Akshay Oberoi

The presence of Suhana Khan has generated particular interest among fans, while the wider ensemble has made King one of the closely watched upcoming Bollywood projects.

Further details about the film’s story and individual character arcs are expected to emerge through official announcements and promotional material.

What Akshay Oberoi’s comments reveal about his experience on King

While audiences will ultimately judge King on its theatrical release, Akshay Oberoi’s comments provide an off-screen perspective on the experience of being associated with a production led by Shah Rukh Khan.

His description of Khan as “one of the kindest, gentlest people” focuses not on stardom or box-office success but on personal behaviour and interpersonal relationships.

Oberoi’s account also reflects his own journey through the industry.

After years of appearing in smaller projects, the actor says opportunities such as Fighter, Toxic and now King have brought him into a more visible phase of his career.

His gratitude towards Siddharth Anand and his admiration for Shah Rukh Khan therefore come at an important moment professionally, as he continues to expand his body of work.

What’s next for Akshay Oberoi?

With several projects lined up, Akshay Oberoi appears to have a packed schedule ahead.

His immediate upcoming release is expected to be Love Lottery, followed by his other announced projects, including Aashram Season 4 and Neeraj Pandey’s next film with Manoj Bajpayee.

King, meanwhile, remains one of the most closely watched projects on his upcoming slate because of its association with Shah Rukh Khan and its large ensemble cast.

As more official details emerge about the film, audiences will get a clearer picture of the characters and the scale of the project.

For now, Oberoi’s remarks have offered fans a personal glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan away from the spotlight.