Renowned screenwriter and lyricist Mayur Puri, known for penning some of Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters, recently opened up about the rare connection between a writer and an actor—and how, in his experience, Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra stand out as truly exceptional collaborators.
While reflecting on his journey as a writer, Mayur said, “If you place all actors on one side and Shah Rukh Khan on the other, he still stands apart. Because when I write something for Shah Sir, it's as if he reads it exactly the way I had imagined it in my mind.”
Mayur elaborated on the precision with which Shah Rukh interprets a script. “When he reads a script for the first time, he reads it with such instinct—where I had imagined a pause, where I had thought of empathy, he instinctively hits those exact marks. He understands what the writer is trying to do. He knows how to elevate a scene. That understanding… it's extraordinary.”
Having worked closely with Shah Rukh on major projects like Om Shanti Om, Happy New Year, the Hindi version of The Lion King, and the upcoming Mufasa, Mayur credits SRK’s deep empathy and intellect for bringing his words to life. “All four roles were widely appreciated. The work I’ve done with him has always been special,” he added.
However, Shah Rukh Khan isn’t the only actor who has left a mark on Mayur. He also praised Priyanka Chopra for her incredible ability to grasp the heart of a scene almost instantly.
“I’ve seen that kind of accuracy in understanding the writer’s intention only in Shah Rukh Khan—and Priyanka Chopra. She reads a scene and immediately understands what we’re trying to do,” he revealed.
Mayur clarified that he hasn’t worked as closely with other actors to make broad comparisons, but emphasized that this instinctive grasp of storytelling is rare and powerful. “Maybe other actors are also great at this art, but I can only speak about the ones I’ve worked closely with. And in Shah Rukh and Priyanka, I’ve seen a clarity and sensitivity that’s truly special.”
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