KING KHAN goes economy class

For those who thought Shah Rukh Khan only travels kingsize — this should be news. Yesterday morning, Shah Rukh travelled to Kolkata in the economy class of Jet Airways and not on a chartered flight as he’s wont to do. His team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, took on the Deccan Chargers and SRK had to be in time for the match. As the first class seats were full, SRK did not mind travelling economy class.

Says a co-passenger, “Shah (as he’s fondly called by close friends, including Farah Khan) flew to Kolkata with his entourage. Since the group was large, SRK gave the ladies the first class seats including his own and asked the guys to do the same.

So while Bhavna Pandey (Chunky’s wife), designer Shabina Khan, Divya Kumar (T-Series Bhushan Kumar’s wife), Neelam Kothari, Seema Khan (Sohail’s wife) and a few other friends of SRK and Gauri sat in first class, SRK along with Karan Johar, Riteish Deshmukh, Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani and Priyadarshan made themselves comfortable in the economy class.”

The co-passenger observes that unlike other stars who behave arrogantly while flying, Shah Rukh was absolutely normal and fuss-free. “Shah Rukh even ate the food served in the economy class without any objections. The other passengers were thrilled and kept asking Shah for autographs and he kept obliging them.”

Gauri wasn’t part of the entourage. The source adds, “Gauri and the kids (Aryan and Suhana) along with Arjun Rampal, Mehr Jessia, Maheep Kapoor and Nandita Mahtani arrived in a private jet.”

Designer Manish Malhotra who was part of Shah Rukh’s group was spotted with two suitcases full of Kolkata Knight Riders’ black-and-gold outfits.

The source says, “Manish gave the outfits to everyone so they could wear them during the match and cheer SRK and his team. Yesterday, the atmosphere at the Eden Gardens stadium was electric as the two teams played to a packed crowd of over 80,000.

Shah Rukh’s entourage stayed at the ITC Hotel Sonar Bangla Sheraton and Towers, Salt Lake City.” Shah Rukh returned to Mumbai today morning by HDIL’s chartered plane.

Upala KBR