Meer Taj Mohammed {SRK DAD} at his best humour

"My father had much confidence in human nature, I guess. But this taught me one thing, that if I got into trouble, I would have to sort it out myself. He taught me how to stand up for myself. Because of my father,every activity in the house,every duty was transformed into game. He charged us with the idea that we are doing such-and-such work fun. That is why, I guess, I'm so energetic.

My father's sense of humour was like childlike, which often led him to burst into gales of laughter even on the most solemn occasions. Once, a friend came to ask him a favour. He needed my father's services as a translator, since he was about to sign a business deal with a couple of English-speaking foreigners. My father agreed. "But," pleaded his friend, "no jokes, no puns and no witticisms. This means a great deal to me." So my father swore. The two arrived at the hotel, and the introductions were made. All went well, till one of the foreigners, in a show of great friendliness, leaned forward and told my father,"You can call me Dick." A desperate second later, my father burst out into teary-eyed laughter, clutching his stomach in pain. His friend froze. Least to say, that was one business deal that Mr.Dick screwed up!

My father often played pranks in the house, disguising life's lessons in laughter. Like, once, he peeked in to my sister's room and realised Shehnaaz was immersed in a novel rather than the textbook she was supposed to read. He called me, told me what i was to do and then walked into Shehnaaz's room, pretending to be in a great rage. He picked up the book and flung it out of the window. Down below, I was standing arms in position, waiting to catch it, Shehnaaz would realise that her book was safe, that the joke was on her. But she would also know that the next time round, the book might not come back.

Once the "south indian aunty" complained my father that I have been teasing her daughter, he asked in all seriousness, "Is she as pretty as you?" The lady, a little taken aback, stared at him. And when he asked again, she said yes. My father then solemnly said, "Then I am sorry I don't blame shahrukh." The lady left smiling.
---SHAH RUKH KHAN