Jason Momoa praises Shah Rukh Khan — and the internet reacted instantly in the middle of promoting his new Amazon Prime Video action comedy The Wrecking Crew when an interviewer at Pinkvilla asked him about Shah Rukh Khan. What followed was not a polite, promotional non-answer. Momoa leaned in, smiled, and said: “Yes, he’s very handsome. He’s extremely handsome.” Then, unprompted, he went further — describing SRK as a sweetheart, a gentleman, and, most memorably: “He’s a better actor and better performer than I am.”
The quotes hit Indian social media within minutes. By afternoon, the clip had been shared across fan pages, news portals, and WhatsApp groups from Mumbai to London. For a story with no controversy, no drama, and no conflict whatsoever, it travelled with unusual speed.
Here’s the full story — what Momoa actually said, how the two men know each other, what triggered the interview question, and what both actors are working on next.
The Exact Quotes — What Momoa Said, Word for Word
“Yes, he’s very handsome. He’s extremely handsome.”
On their friendship and what they talked about:
“Just two mutual friends and fans of each other’s work. He is just a sweetheart. He was very much a gentleman.”
On SRK as a performer:
“He’s a better actor and better performer than I am.”
Source: Pinkvilla interview, published February 2026, during promotions for The Wrecking Crew (Amazon Prime Video)
The line that did the most work was the last one. A Hollywood star best known for playing Aquaman — one of the most physically dominant superhero roles of the past decade — voluntarily telling the world that a Bollywood actor is a better performer than him is not something any publicist would script. It landed as genuine because it felt unrehearsed, self-deprecating, and specific. Momoa wasn’t flattering a colleague during a junket. He was answering a direct question and giving a direct, disarming answer.
The History · How They Know Each Other
How Jason Momoa and Shah Rukh Khan Actually Know Each Other
The Pinkvilla interview wasn’t the first time Momoa had spoken warmly about SRK — and the warmth isn’t hypothetical. The two men have met multiple times at international events, with their friendship going back at least to 2019.
- 2019 — Joy Awards, Saudi Arabia Momoa and Shah Rukh Khan first meet at the Joy Awards in Riyadh — an annual Saudi entertainment ceremony that regularly draws global stars. A photograph taken at the event, featuring Momoa, SRK, Jackie Chan, and Jean-Claude Van Damme together in the same frame, goes globally viral. The image becomes one of the most shared celebrity-crossover photos of that year — four icons from four completely different entertainment worlds, in the same room.
- 2019–2025 — Multiple International Events The two cross paths on several more occasions at international events, including subsequent gatherings in Saudi Arabia. Momoa later describes their dynamic as rooted in mutual admiration — calling SRK someone he and the actor share mutual friends with, and framing their relationship as genuine rather than transactional.
- February 2026 — Pinkvilla Interview During The Wrecking Crew Promotions Momoa, mid-interview while promoting his new Amazon Prime Video action comedy, is asked about his interactions with Shah Rukh Khan. He answers with the quotes above. The clip goes viral across Indian social media within hours.
Saudi Arabia · 2019 · Joy Awards, Riyadh
The Context · Why This Interview Happened Now
Why Was Jason Momoa Talking to Indian Media? The Wrecking Crew Connection
The timing of the interview wasn’t accidental. Momoa is currently promoting The Wrecking Crew, his new action comedy that debuted on Amazon Prime Video on January 28, 2026. Amazon Prime Video has a large and growing Indian subscriber base — which makes Indian press tours and media interviews a natural part of a global streaming release’s promotional strategy. That’s what put Momoa in front of Pinkvilla’s cameras in the first place.
Premiered: January 28, 2026 · Genre: Buddy-cop action comedy
Writer: Jonathan Tropper
Cast: Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, Claes Bang, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Frankie Adams, Miyavi, Stephen Root, Morena Baccarin
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video globally
Genre: Buddy-cop action comedy — Momoa and Dave Bautista (Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy) as mismatched partners. Two of the most physically imposing actors in Hollywood in one film, playing for laughs as much as action.
Beyond The Wrecking Crew, Momoa has a packed 2026 slate. He is set to return to the DC Universe as Lobo — an anti-hero bounty hunter — in James Gunn’s revamped Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. It marks his first appearance in the new DC Universe after his tenure as Aquaman in the previous DCEU came to an end. He also starred in A Minecraft Movie, which became 2025’s highest-grossing Hollywood film globally.
The Star · Who Is Shah Rukh Khan
For Anyone Discovering SRK Through This Moment — Here’s Who He Is
One interesting side effect of the viral clip was a spike in Google searches for Shah Rukh Khan from international markets — particularly in the US, UK, and parts of Europe — where audiences who knew Jason Momoa but not SRK tried to understand who he was talking about with such unguarded admiration.
Born: November 2, 1965, New Delhi · Career: 1988–present
Known as: King Khan, SRK, The Badshah of Bollywood, King of Romance
Career span: Over 35 years in film; over 100 films
Breakthrough: Baazigar (1993); global icon status cemented by Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), now the longest-running film in Indian cinema history at Maratha Mandir
Notable films: DDLJ (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Devdas (2002), Kal Ho Na Ho (2003), Swades (2004), Chak De! India (2007), My Name Is Khan (2010), Chennai Express (2013), Pathaan (2023, ₹1,050+ crore worldwide), Jawan (2023, ₹1,160+ crore worldwide — all-time highest-grossing Indian film at the time)
Awards: National Film Award for Best Actor; 14 Filmfare Awards; Padma Shri (2005); Légion d’honneur (France, 2014); honorary degrees from Edinburgh, Bedfordshire, Melbourne
Next film: King — releasing December 24, 2026
SRK’s global recognition extends well beyond Bollywood’s traditional diaspora audience. He has been profiled by TIME magazine as one of the world’s most powerful entertainers, has performed at events from Saudi Arabia to South Africa, and has been cited as a celebrity inspiration by public figures across politics, sport, and entertainment worldwide. Momoa’s praise is notable but, as a data point about SRK’s global standing, it is not unusual — a long list of international figures have spoken warmly about him over the years.
Two mutual friends and fans of each other’s work. He is just a sweetheart. He was very much a gentleman. He’s a better actor and better performer than I am.— Jason Momoa, Pinkvilla interview, February 2026
What’s Next · King (December 2026)
Shah Rukh Khan’s Next Film — King, Releasing Christmas Day 2026
The interview arrived at a moment when Shah Rukh Khan is building toward his biggest release since Jawan (2023). King — directed by Siddharth Anand, who previously directed the record-breaking Pathaan — is currently in post-production and targeting a December 24, 2026 theatrical release. It is already IMDb’s most anticipated Indian film of 2026.
Producers: Gauri Khan, Siddharth Anand, Mamta Anand (Red Chillies Entertainment / Marflix Pictures)
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan (assassin mentor), Suhana Khan (protégé — theatrical film debut), Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan (antagonist), Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, Rani Mukerji (special appearance), Jaideep Ahlawat, Raghav Juyal, Abhay Verma
Music: Sachin–Jigar (soundtrack) · Anirudh Ravichander (score)
Reportedly inspired by: Léon: The Professional (1994, dir. Luc Besson)
Story: A skilled assassin and his young protégé on a perilous mission — mentor and disciple pushing survival limits against overwhelming odds
Filming locations: Mumbai, Warsaw (Poland), Europe (action sequences)
Release date: December 24, 2026 (Christmas)
Budget: Reported to be India’s costliest action film to date
Notable: SRK’s first theatrical release since Dunki (December 2023) · Suhana Khan’s theatrical debut · Deepika Padukone’s first film post-pregnancy
IMDb status: Most anticipated Indian film of 2026
The Suhana Khan angle gives King a dimension beyond typical franchise films — it marks the first time father and daughter appear together on the big screen, in an action film no less, where Suhana plays SRK’s protégé. It is also Deepika Padukone’s first film since she gave birth to her daughter in 2024. The cast ensemble — Abhishek Bachchan as the villain, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji — is the most star-studded Hindi film lineup in years.
Did you see the Momoa–SRK clip? And are you counting down to King on Christmas Day? Tell us in the comments — and follow us on Instagram for all the King updates, the trailer drop, and every SRK–Hollywood crossover moment as it happens. Also save our Bollywood board on Pinterest to track everything leading up to December 24.
Jason Momoa & Shah Rukh Khan — At a Glance
| Detail | Jason Momoa | Shah Rukh Khan |
|---|---|---|
| Born | August 1, 1979, Nānākuli, Hawaii, USA | November 2, 1965, New Delhi, India |
| Career began | 1999 (Baywatch: Hawaii) | 1988 (TV); 1992 (film debut) |
| Breakthrough role | Khal Drogo, Game of Thrones (2011) | Baazigar (1993); DDLJ (1995) |
| Most iconic role | Aquaman, DC Extended Universe (2018–) | Rahul/Raj — the romantic hero archetype across 30+ years |
| Biggest film (box office) | A Minecraft Movie (2025) — #1 Hollywood film globally | Jawan (2023) — then all-time highest-grossing Indian film |
| Next major project | Lobo in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (DC Universe) | King — December 24, 2026 |
| Current project | The Wrecking Crew (Amazon Prime Video, Jan 28, 2026) | King (in post-production) |
| How they met | Joy Awards, Saudi Arabia, 2019 — alongside Jackie Chan and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Multiple meetings since. | |
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything about Jason Momoa’s praise of Shah Rukh Khan — answered.
What exactly did Jason Momoa say about Shah Rukh Khan?
During a Pinkvilla interview in February 2026, while promoting his Amazon Prime Video film The Wrecking Crew, Jason Momoa was asked about Shah Rukh Khan. He said SRK is “very handsome — extremely handsome,” called him “just a sweetheart” and “very much a gentleman,” and then went further: “He’s a better actor and better performer than I am.” He described their dynamic as “just two mutual friends and fans of each other’s work.” The interview was part of Momoa’s global promotional tour for The Wrecking Crew, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video on January 28, 2026.
Have Jason Momoa and Shah Rukh Khan actually met in person?
Yes, multiple times. Their first high-profile meeting was at the Joy Awards in Saudi Arabia in 2019, where a photograph featuring Momoa, SRK, Jackie Chan, and Jean-Claude Van Damme together went globally viral. The two have crossed paths at several subsequent international events, including additional gatherings in Saudi Arabia. Momoa described their friendship in the Pinkvilla interview as rooted in genuine mutual admiration — they share common friends and have discussed each other’s work.
What is Jason Momoa’s new film The Wrecking Crew?
The Wrecking Crew is an American buddy-cop action comedy directed by Ángel Manuel Soto and written by Jonathan Tropper. It premiered on Amazon Prime Video on January 28, 2026. The film stars Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista (Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy) as an unlikely law enforcement duo — two of the most physically imposing actors in Hollywood playing a film that leans heavily on comedy alongside action. The supporting cast includes Claes Bang, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Frankie Adams, Morena Baccarin, and Stephen Root. The Indian media interviews where Momoa spoke about SRK were part of his global promotional tour for this film.
What are Jason Momoa’s upcoming films in 2026?
Beyond The Wrecking Crew (now streaming on Amazon Prime Video), Momoa has a busy 2026 slate. His most anticipated upcoming appearance is as Lobo — an anti-hero bounty hunter — in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, his debut in James Gunn’s revamped DC Universe after his tenure as Aquaman in the previous DC Extended Universe concluded. He has five additional films scheduled for release in 2026 across various genres. He also starred in A Minecraft Movie in 2025, which became the highest-grossing Hollywood film of that year globally.
What is Shah Rukh Khan’s next film?
Shah Rukh Khan’s next theatrical release is King, directed by Siddharth Anand (who also directed Pathaan). The film is scheduled for a Christmas Day release on December 24, 2026. It stars SRK as a skilled assassin alongside his daughter Suhana Khan — who makes her theatrical film debut — as his protégé. The cast also includes Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan as the antagonist, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, and Rani Mukerji. The film is reportedly inspired by Léon: The Professional (1994) and is described as India’s costliest action film to date. It is currently IMDb’s most anticipated Indian film of 2026 — SRK’s first theatrical release since Dunki in December 2023.
Why did Jason Momoa’s comments go viral so quickly?
Several factors combined. First, the content itself was unusual — a Hollywood superstar of Momoa’s stature voluntarily saying a Bollywood actor is a better performer than himself is not a typical celebrity-interview moment. Second, the tone felt unscripted and genuine: Momoa wasn’t giving a promotional answer; he was answering a direct question with a specific, self-deprecating response. Third, Shah Rukh Khan’s global fanbase — which extends across India, the South Asian diaspora worldwide, and a growing international audience — mobilised the clip rapidly across platforms. And fourth, the historical context of the 2019 viral photo meant fans already had emotional investment in the Momoa–SRK story, giving the new clip an instant narrative hook.
Which other Hollywood stars have praised Shah Rukh Khan?
SRK has received praise from a broad range of international figures over the years. Will Smith has spoken warmly about him at public events. Mark Zuckerberg, speaking at an IIT event, cited SRK as an example of global celebrity influence. David Letterman featured him on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction (Netflix, 2019) and described him as the biggest star he’d ever interviewed. Comedian Russell Peters has been a long-time admirer and friend. Director Wes Anderson and multiple European festival programmers have cited his influence. Momoa’s February 2026 comments add to this long-standing pattern of international cultural figures recognising SRK’s status — though the specific phrasing (“better actor than me”) is notably more direct than most previous praise.
Is Shah Rukh Khan the biggest Bollywood star globally?
By most metrics, yes — or at least one of the top two alongside Amitabh Bachchan for different generations. SRK has over 100 films to his name and a career spanning more than 35 years. His films Pathaan (2023, ₹1,050+ crore worldwide) and Jawan (2023, ₹1,160+ crore worldwide — the highest-grossing Indian film at its time of release) confirmed his commercial dominance remains intact three decades into his career. He has received honorary doctorates from Edinburgh, Bedfordshire, and Melbourne universities, France’s Légion d’honneur (2014), and India’s Padma Shri (2005). TIME magazine has listed him among the world’s most powerful entertainers. His global fanbase extends well beyond the Indian diaspora — he has significant audiences in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and increasingly in Western markets following the global success of Pathaan and Jawan on Netflix.
Content writer at Popcorn Review, specializing in movie reviews, box office insights, and film analysis. Passionate about bringing cinema stories to life.
