Shah Rukh Khan's Bonding with KKR's ₹23.75 crore buy Venkatesh Iyer: 'Owner not needed'

Kolkata Knight Riders star all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer opened up about the special bond he shares with his team's co-owner, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. He expressed how Shah Rukh Khan always made him feel valued and supported, like an elder brother. Venkatesh has been a key player for KKR since joining the franchise in 2021, and his stellar performance played a crucial role in their championship victory this year. The franchise showed immense faith in him by shelling out a whopping INR 23.75 crore to secure his services in the 2024 mega auction, making him the third most expensive Indian player in IPL history. It is clear that Venkatesh Iyer holds a special place in the hearts of both the team and its owner, Shah Rukh Khan.

The KKR star recently talked about Shah Rukh and shared his special quality of making everyone comfortable around him with his vibe.

“When I think about Shah Rukh sir, it brings a smile to my face… such is the persona. It’s such a great quality to have when you are a superstar, but still able to make people around you feel so comfortable while giving an elder-brotherly vibe," Venkatesh was quoted as saying on Indian Express’ Idea Exchange.

“We all had a certain image of Shah Rukh sir in our minds, like he’s the Shah Rukh Khan, the megastar. It’s going to be so tough to be in his presence. But he makes the environment so chill and so friendly that you end up sharing a lot of things with him," he added.

Venkatesh walked down memory lane and talked about an incident when SRK had a conversation with them for around 45 minutes, which he will cherish for the rest of his life.

“He spent a fair bit of time talking to us in this IPL. I remember this game after which he spoke with me for around 45 minutes, there’s no need for an owner to spend time, but he did. That conversation will stay with me for the rest of my life," he added.

Meanwhile, the left-handed batter slammed an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls against SRH in the IPL 2024 final to help KKR lift their third title. He recalled how Shah Rukh made his mother extremely happy after the final with some kind words for him.

“I remember after the final, my mother had come onto the ground and Shah Rukh sir met her and praised me, saying, ‘He’s a very good child’. The happiness that I saw in my mother’s eyes, I really cannot forget that moment," he added.

The 29-year-old star further said that knowing Shah Rukh has become a matter of flex for him now.

“I can show off in front of the world that I know Shah Rukh sir. This is actually a matter of flex," Venkatesh said.

“When I was there with him, that moment is supposed to be larger than life, the moment is supposed to be grand. But then, the moment was so simple and so aesthetic that there was no feeling that this is the Shah Rukh Khan that everyone loves and admires," he added.