In a heartwarming digital exchange that melted the internet’s heart, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan shared a touching message for India’s newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir—calling him ‘My captain’ and playfully promising, ‘I can make you smile.’ The brief yet powerful interaction, sparked by Gambhir’s birthday wishes to SRK, has since gone viral across social media platforms .
Theirs is a friendship forged in the high-octane world of the IPL. Back in 2012 and 2014, when Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lifted the IPL trophy, Gautam Gambhir was the calm, steely captain at the helm. SRK, the charismatic owner, always stood visibly proud on the sidelines. Now, years later, that mutual respect remains as strong as ever.
When Gambhir—now the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team—sent birthday wishes to the ‘King of Bollywood,’ SRK didn’t just thank him. He replied with affectionate nostalgia: “My captain… I can make you smile.” The line, dripping with warmth and inside-joke familiarity, instantly resonated with fans who remember their KKR glory days .
Shah Rukh Khan’s birthday this year became a mini-celebration of cricket-celebrity camaraderie. Alongside Gambhir, other cricketers like Suresh Raina, Rinku Singh, and Harbhajan Singh also sent him warm messages—and SRK responded to each with his trademark wit and grace.
These exchanges weren’t scripted PR—they felt genuine, personal, and refreshingly human in an age of curated social media.
Their bond symbolizes something deeper in Indian sports culture: the rare, organic connection between a film superstar and a cricketer that transcends mere business. SRK has often said Gambhir was the “heart” of KKR, while Gambhir has credited SRK’s belief in him as a leader during tough times.
Now, with Gambhir at the helm of Team India, fans are subtly hoping that SRK’s famous positivity might even rub off on the team’s morale. After all, who better to lift spirits before a high-stakes Test than someone who’s literally promised, “I can make you smile”?
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Gambhir joins KKR as captain under SRK’s ownership |
| 2012 | KKR wins first IPL title |
| 2014 | KKR clinches second IPL title |
| 2025 | Gambhir appointed India head coach; SRK calls him ‘My captain’ |
Within hours of the exchange going public, #MyCaptain began trending on X (formerly Twitter). Memes juxtaposing Gambhir’s intense match faces with SRK’s beaming smile flooded Instagram. One fan wrote: “If SRK can make Gambhir smile before an Ashes tour, India’s already won.”
It’s this blend of nostalgia, affection, and national pride that makes the moment more than just a celebrity tweet—it’s a cultural snapshot of modern India, where cinema and cricket continue to share the same heartbeat.
Times of India: ‘My captain’: Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘I can make you smile’ comment for Gambhir goes viral
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