Director Amol Palekar has shared insights into the making of the 2005 fantasy film Paheli, highlighting Shah Rukh Khan's respectful approach to the screenplay. In an interview on Kindlecast, Palekar revealed that despite Khan serving as both actor and producer, he made no alterations to the original script adapted from Vijaydan Detha's story, preserving its integrity throughout production.

Palekar credited this creative restraint as a key factor in the film's smooth execution. He praised Khan's dual role—where he played both a husband and a ghost taking his form alongside Rani Mukerji—as well as the actress's instinctive performance style and Khan's thoughtful approach to his craft. Amitabh Bachchan also supported the project.

The director emphasised that the strong foundation of the script, combined with the commitment of his lead actors, made his job considerably easier. Paheli, released in June 2005, remains a notable entry in Khan's filmography, particularly as audiences reassess his career trajectory ahead of upcoming releases.