Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos holds Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan in high esteem, often captivated by his renowned charisma and humility. In a recent interview with Nikhil Kamath, Sarandos didn't hesitate to name Shah Rukh Khan as his favorite Indian celebrity, highlighting a bond that began even before Netflix made its significant foray into the Indian market.

Their connection was first established in 2018 when Ted Sarandos visited India ahead of the launch of Netflix's inaugural Indian original series, 'Sacred Games.' Shah Rukh Khan was among the very first celebrities Sarandos met. Recalling this initial encounter, Sarandos shared, "Early in coming to India, I met Shah Rukh Khan right away. He graciously hosted a very nice dinner for me, and we hit it off immediately."

This initial meeting paved the way for a lasting friendship. Sarandos mentioned subsequent visits to India where he, sometimes accompanied by his wife, enjoyed "nice times" and "great times" with the actor. Their camaraderie extended beyond Indian borders, with the two also meeting in Los Angeles while Shah Rukh Khan's son was studying there. Sarandos even noted the distinct experiences, stating, "Having dinner with Shah Rukh Khan in India is much different than dining with him in Los Angeles."

Beyond his personal rapport with SRK, Ted Sarandos also shed light on Netflix's ambitious collaborations within the Indian film industry, particularly with acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Sarandos described the project 'Heeramandi' as "one of the most creatively interesting projects he has ever worked on in India."

Elaborating on the genesis of 'Heeramandi,' Sarandos revealed that Bhansali approached Netflix with an "enormous vision," presenting the project "almost like it was a dare." He mused, "I dare you to make this, it’s so big." Given Bhansali's status as a "cinema legend," Sarandos found the idea of him creating a television series "almost unheard of." He candidly shared, "I think he came for us to say no. And when we said yes, it was a complicated production." The result was a series on a "truly grand scale."

The Netflix platform is also set to feature work from the next generation of the Khan family, as fans can look forward to Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan’s upcoming project, titled "The Ba**ds of Bollywood*".

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan himself remains active on the film front. His recent cinematic ventures include the successful films 'Pathaan,' 'Jawan,' and 'Dunki,' all released in 2023. He is currently reported to be filming for his next movie, 'King,' which is being directed by Siddharth Anand and will also feature his daughter Suhana Khan and actor Abhishek Bachchan.