WWE superstar and Hollywood actor John Cena penned a touching tribute to Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday, vowing to "never forget" their shared conversation and crediting the actor for providing "constant inspiration" to him and fans worldwide. The heartfelt note, posted on X (formerly Twitter), quickly went viral with over 2.1 million views, reigniting the cross-cultural admiration between the two global entertainers. Cena's message came in response to Khan's glowing praise during his popular #AskSRK social media session, where a fan asked the 59-year-old star to describe Cena in one word, attaching a photo of them together at a high-profile wedding. Khan, known as the "King of Bollywood", called Cena a "rock star" and lauded him as "very humble and kind", a post that amassed 3.5 million views and highlighted their mutual respect.
The exchange traces back to July 2024, when Cena attended the extravagant wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai, rubbing shoulders with Bollywood elites like Arjun Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. In a then-viral post, Cena described the 24 hours as "surreal", expressing profound gratitude to the Ambani family for their hospitality and revealing how Khan's 2017 TED Talk had reshaped his outlook on life. He specifically referenced Khan's quote, "Neither power nor poverty can make your life more magical or less torturous," which resonated deeply with Cena's philosophy of resilience and gratitude amid his wrestling and acting career. Khan reciprocated warmly, thanking Cena for "spreading the goodness" and inspiring young fans as a hero.
This latest interaction builds on a series of endearing moments between the duo, underscoring a rare bridge between WWE's high-octane world and Bollywood's emotional storytelling. In February 2024, Cena delighted Indian fans by crooning Khan's classic track "Bholi Si Surat" from the 1997 film Dil To Pagal Hai, a video that exploded online and showcased his playful side. Their bond exemplifies how global icons like Khan—whose films have grossed over $1 billion worldwide—and Cena, a 16-time WWE champion and Fast & Furious staple, transcend industries to promote positivity. Social media erupted with fans hailing the exchange as "wholesome" and "iconic", with comments flooding in about the humility that unites them despite their larger-than-life personas.
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The viral note arrives as Khan bounces back from a career resurgence with hits like Jawan (2023) and Pathaan (2023), which revitalised his box-office dominance after a brief slump. Cena, meanwhile, gears up for WWE's WrestleMania 41 in April 2026 and Hollywood projects, including a rumoured Peacemaker season two. Their friendship, sparked at the Ambanis' event, symbolises cultural fusion—WWE's Indian fanbase has grown 300% since 2015, partly fuelled by such celebrity crossovers. As the posts continue to rack up likes and shares, the tribute serves as a reminder of entertainment's power to foster inspiration across borders.
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