'Shah Rukh Was Stroking My Hair, I Thought I Am Imagining Him': 'Astitva' Actress Niki Aneja Recalls Her Accident

Niki Aneja, known for her roles in shows like 'Astitva', 'Sea Hawks', and 'Gharwali Baharwali', recently reflected on a traumatic chapter of her life during an interview.

Niki Aneja, known for her roles in shows like 'Astitva', 'Sea Hawks', and 'Gharwali Baharwali', recently reflected on a traumatic chapter of her life during an interview. While at the peak of her career, Niki experienced a horrific accident on the set of her TV show when a car ran over her.

Niki Aneja recalls Shah Rukh Khan visiting her in hospital

In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan, she revealed that Shah Rukh Khan visited her in the hospital late at night to offer his support and assistance. Remarkably, it was Shah Rukh who informed her about the identity of the driver responsible for the accident, sharing that he had seen the individual learning to drive just hours before the incident.

Recalling the experience, Niki shared, “I was in the hospital for a month and a half. I was undergoing treatment and I was delirious. One night, I just woke up and saw Shah Rukh Khan sitting next to my hospital bed. I thought I am on too much medication and I am imagining Shah Rukh.”

She explained that she had worked with Shah Rukh on international stage shows and had even been cast in 'Yes Boss' as the lead actress. However, she had to quit the project after filming for five days. Niki fondly remembered her time on set with him.

 

What Shah Rukh said to Niki

Speaking about Shah Rukh’s visit, she said, “Shah Rukh held my hand and said, ‘Niki, it’s Shah. I am so sorry. It’s 12 in the night, but because there was paparazzi outside, I was waiting for them to leave. I can only come in the night.’ He then started stroking my hair and asked me how I was, if I wanted anything. I asked him, ‘What are you doing here?’ He said, ‘Answer one question, were you hit by a red Maruti van?’ I said yes, but why are you asking that?”

Shah Rukh then explained that on the day of the accident, he had seen the same red Maruti van at Film City. “He said I was going for the shoot of 'Devdas', and this red Maruti van was being used to teach someone how to drive. He told me that I waited for 10 minutes because that man was learning to drive and there was no space to go past him. Shah Rukh remembered that. He gave me the news that the person who has hit you, he didn’t even know how to drive,” Niki recalled.

She expressed her dismay at the production crew’s decision to hire an untrained driver to save costs, stating, “Shah Rukh came to tell me all the way and it made me respect him even more. He told me to sue the production house.” Niki reflected on how this reckless act, aimed at saving Rs 1,000 had a devastating impact on her career.

Niki Aneja was most recently seen in Vidya Balan’s 'Neeyat'.