The news report that Knight Riders’ boss Shah Rukh Khan travelled economy class on a commercial Jet Airways flight from Mumbai to Calcutta is typical of the actor. This time he had limited tickets in the first class and gallantly gave them all to the women in his entourage (mostly wife Gauri’s pals), taking an economy seat for himself and the guys in the group (the likes of Karan Johar and Riteish Deshmukh included). The airline also happily logged the info that Shah Rukh, without fuss, ate whatever was offered to other economy passengers. All of this, the chivalry and the ease with which he settled down in an area where other stars would squirm, come very naturally to Shah Rukh.

At least this time he was playing the gracious host. But a few years ago, on a chartered flight to Lucknow for a Sahara family wedding, Shah Rukh Khan, who was just another celebrity guest, had done just this, though that had gone unreported. Since Subroto Roy’s starry guest list had a few seniors like Rakesh Roshan, Jeetendra and Prem Chopra on it, Shah Rukh had pulled back and waited until all the others had got their seats in front. What remained were seats practically in the back of the bus and that’s where he sat with his group which had included Juhi Chawla (who wouldn’t have dreamt of sitting in a cramped economy seat in any other circumstances). Of course, since it wasn’t a commercial flight, the service was the same all through the plane but it was SRK’s respect for senior actors that came through, especially when the reception accorded to him on the ground was in stark contrast. A glamour-struck Subroto Roy had personally driven him in his golf cart all over Sahara city, beaming with pleasure that he was escorting Shah Rukh Khan.

There are other stars too who have had the occasional foray into the world inhabited by the other half. At the height of his superstardom, Rajesh Khanna had agreed to do an off-beat film titled Aavishkar for Basu Bhattacharya. He had reported for an outdoor schedule and was taken aback to see a taxi waiting at the airport to take him to the hotel. Rajesh Khanna those days was the Hindi film industry’s most pampered star — producers like Chinnappa Devar (for whom he made the runaway hit Haathi Mere Saathi) used to roll out the red carpet for him and his chamchas in Chennai. But Basuda was making his film on a shoe-string budget and a taxi was all he could afford to give the superstar. Rajesh Khanna sportingly smiled, shrugged his shoulders and got into the cab.

Years ago, when Amitabh Bachchan had carted along a whole lot of us to Kolkata for the premiere of Agneepath, he had taken charge as de facto host to help out producer Yash Johar (he was still to become famous as Karan Johar’s father). Before landing at Dum Dum, Amit had personally gone to every seat and told the group to stay together on the tarmac as everybody would travel in the bus that would come up to the aircraft. It was great fun as Amitabh, Jaya, Yash Johar and the press contingent went through the streets of Kolkata in a bus. However, the crowds that stopped the bus at a few places forced the superstar to do a rethink. On the return journey, Amit safely zipped to the airport in a private car, although personally he was quite game to travel junta class with everybody else.

Recently in Mumbai, Ajay Devgan who found his swank Maserati stuck in a traffic snarl, quickly hopped out to catch an auto rickshaw and made it on time for his work. Ajay has done it before and he is so casual about it that most often the driver doesn’t even realise that he has a celebrity in his rickshaw. Jackie Shroff is another star who won’t think twice before walking down the road or going by auto. Unlike Ajay who is reserved, Jackie will chat up the cab or rickshaw driver and probably be on ‘biddu-buddy’ terms with him before reaching his destination.

Unbelievably, even Hema Malini who once genuinely believed that stars were a cut above all other human beings has become more grounded. Although still aware of her celebrity status, she is chilled out enough to go to movies at a multiplex close to her house. Once, after seeing a film when she came out and her driver reported that there was a puncture, Hema took an auto rickshaw home. “I prefer autos to taxis,” says she. “At least autos are open while taxis are too stuffy.” Of course Hema, being so used to her own car, just got off and went away when she reached home after the movie, merrily forgetting that she had to pay the rickshawala!

It’s an incident that Hema herself relates mirthfully. The rickshawala didn’t know she was Hema Malini and he had to call her back and ask for his fare!