The singer, whose voice was closely identified with Shah Rukh's on-screen persona through the 1990s and early 2000s, said their fallout was rooted in issues of 'ego' and 'self-respect.'

He also admitted that what hurt him the most was the absence of an apology from the superstar, suggesting that unresolved emotions still linger despite the passage of time.

Abhijeet on SRK's 'Unapologetic' Behaviour

Reflecting on the situation, Abhijeet said, "Shah Rukh Khan's ego and my self-respect are the reasons for the rift. Shah Rukh is younger than me, yet when Farah Khan's husband abused him so much, Shah Rukh still hugged him. Aamir Khan even named a dog after Shah Rukh, and the two of them still became friends."

© Instagram/Abhijeet Bhattacharya

He went on to explain that what affected him most was the absence of an apology, which he felt could have resolved things. "What hurt me was that you couldn't even say sorry once. You are such a big person, yet no apology," he said, adding that the incident left a deep emotional mark on him.

Abhijeet also clarified that his decision to step away from projects involving Shah Rukh was not rooted in ego. Instead, it came from a place of personal disappointment. He shared that there was a time when he deliberately avoided singing for other actors as well, because he had strongly associated his voice with Shah Rukh's screen presence and felt deeply connected to that collaboration.

Abhijeet Bhattacharya further reflected on past experiences, saying he often felt overlooked even when he was around Shah Rukh Khan. He noted that a simple gesture from the actor might have been enough to ease the tension between them.

© Instagram/Shah Rukh Khan

Addressing claims that people invoke Shah Rukh's name for attention, Abhijeet dismissed the idea in his case. He asserted that he did not need such publicity, pointing out that his voice played a key role in shaping many of the memorable songs associated with the superstar's on-screen image.

Despite the lingering bitterness, the singer did not entirely shut the door on reconciliation. He acknowledged that if they were ever to come together again, he still believed his voice would complement Shah Rukh's screen persona in a way that audiences once strongly connected with.

Abhijeet and SRK's Collaborations

For a long time, Abhijeet Bhattacharya was seen as one of the most iconic playback voices associated with Shah Rukh Khan, contributing to several hit songs in films like Baadshah and Main Hoon Na.

However, their professional collaboration is believed to have come to an end after Billu. Over the years, Abhijeet has consistently stated that the fallout stemmed from issues related to recognition and proper credit. He has particularly pointed to his experience during Main Hoon Na, where he felt his contribution was not adequately acknowledged, something he says deeply affected his sense of self-respect.