The movies of Indian Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan - Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Chak De India and Om Shanti Om - have been worldwide successes.
One doesn’t really need to introduce Shahrukh Khan, sometimes also called Shah Rukh Khan, King Khan or SRK for short. The Bollywood superstar has reached worldwide fame and in India, is touted as Amitabh Bhachan’s – the “Big B’s” – successor.
He is said to have more admirers than Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis put together. But regardless if one is a fan or not, one has to admire Shahrukh Khan’s versatility throughout his 20-year career as a TV and movie actor and director, especially considering his humble beginnings.
Shahrukh Khan’s Early Years
Shahrukh Khan was born on November 2, 1965 as the second child of his parents in New Delhi. Khan’s father Taj Mohammed had come to Delhi from Peshawar before India’s Partition in 1947 and his mother Fatima from Rawalpindi, both in what is Pakistan today.
Next to sports, Shahrukh Khan was interested in drama since his school days. After his mother’s death in 1991 – his father had succumbed to cancer a decade earlier – Khan moved to Mumbai to make it big in Bollywood. Already in 1992, quite a few movies were released with him in the lead role, with Deewana being the most successful one.
Shahrukh Khan’s Life Today
In October 1991, Shahrukh Khan married his childhood sweetheart Gauri Chibber, with whom he has two children: son Aryan, born in 1997, and daughter Suhana, born in 2000. His wife’s Hindu background and his own Moslem faith don’t cause any problems. At home, the Koran has its place as well as the Indian gods.
Already in 2005, the Indian TV-producer Nasreen Munni Kabir made the documentary The Inner and Outer World of Shah Rukh Khan; Still Reading Khan about his family life was produced in 2006. In Mumbai, hardly a day goes by during which there are no fans waiting for a glimpse of him in front of his luxury bungalow Mannat (“god’s gift) in the posh suburb of Bandra.
Most PopularShahrukh Khan Movies
Given the disproportionate amount of movies with Shahrukh Khan released outside of India, one gets the impression that almost every Bollywood movie stars him. But even a busy bee like Shahrukh Khan couldn’t manage this as Bollywood releases about 900 movies per year, that is between two and three movies a day. Here’s a list of the most popular Shahrukh Khan movies abroad:
Om Shanti Om (2007)
Chak De! India – "Go For It, India" (2007)
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna – "Never Say Good-Bye" (2006)
Main Hoon Na – "I Am Here" (2004)
Veer–Zaara (2004)
Chalte Chalte – "While Walking" (2003)
Kal Ho Naa Ho – "Tomorrow May Never Come" (2003)
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham – "Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness" (2002)
Devdas (2002)
Mohabbatein – "Love Stories" (2000)
Josh – "Frenzy" (2000)
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani – "But the Heart is Still Indian" (2000)
Dil Se – "From the Heart" (1998)
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai – "Something Happens" (1998)
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge - "The Brave Lover Will Take the Bride" (1995)
Deewana – "Crazy" (1992)
The Secret of Shah Rukh Khan’s Worldwide Success
In the September 23, 2005 BBC-Interview “Who’s the Real Shah Rukh Khan?” by Zubair Ahmed, SRK admitted: "My life may seem glamorous from the outside but off screen it's as ordinary as anyone else's. I want people to know that movie stars live a normal, middle-class life."
Asked who runs his life, he answers: "My two children, my family and friends. I do whatever they tell me. I love spending time with them." He continues diplomatically, when asked about his fans, "They run my professional life."
No wonder then his popularity continues. In 2007, he replaced Amitabh Bhachan as the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati, India’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Not a coincidence then that he introduced Slumdog Millionaire at the Golden Globes this year. Fans can look forward to two movies that he is currently working on: Koochie Koochie Hota Hain and My Name is Khan.
Indian movie fans might be interested in which Bollywood songs are currently all the rage at weddings in India or read a review of Anurag Kashyap’s recently released movie Dev.D, a remake of the Indian classic Devdas.
The copyright of the article Bollywood Star Shahrukh Khan in India is owned by Simone Preuss. Permission to republish Bollywood Star Shahrukh Khan in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I really enjoyed your great article on SRK. I am from
India and I know how strong he is. He is a great entertainer. I would just
like to add his one of the biggest blockbusters...actually his biggest hit
is 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaenge' - "The Brave Lover will take the
Bride". You can read about it here -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilwale_Dulhaniya_Le_Jayenge
Thanks
and Smiles!!!
Preetam
Mar 21, 2009 1:27 AM
Guest :
Hi Preetam, Thanks for your comment and glad to hear that you enjoyed
the article. You're right about "Dilwale..." - I've added it to
the list. I think it is hard to understand for people not living in India
how and why movie stars get idolized so much. Though SRK's fan following in
Germany, for example, is growing by the minute! Cheers, Simone
Mar 23, 2009 6:10 AM
Guest :
Shahrukh Khan, my parents hate him to the core.. but me n my bro have
started liking him and have become a gr8 fan of Shah Rukh, ever since we
started watching him off the movies. We enjoy watching him more in
interviews n talk shows n award functions.
Shah Rukh Khan has
an amazing sense of humour. He's an Brand in himself. And by far the most
ethical and most chivalrous person in bollywood. He is fun to watch. The
youngistan can immediately connect to him and frankly speaking I enjoyed
KBC more when Shah Rukh was hosting that show.
It'd be
interesting if you write a piece on Shahrukh as a brand...
Cheers Brijesh
Mar 31, 2009 1:52 AM
Guest :
hi my sweet heart SRK. i be in a film with you. really enjoyed
your great article on SRK. I am from India and I know how strong he is. He
is a great entertainer. I would just like to add his one of the biggest
blockbusters...actually his biggest hit is 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaenge' -
"The Brave Lover will take the Bride". You can read about it
here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilwale_Dulhaniya_Le_Jayenge Thanks and Smiles!!! shaukat khan
May 22, 2009 11:51 AM
Guest :
*Prithvi~
I love your article on SRK, thank you. SRK is my one
& only favourite actor in bollywood. I love his acting & I love his
versatality in acting very much :D
Jun 14, 2009 6:07 AM
Guest :
HAI SHARUK I am been very happy after conecting with ur Photo galary
& ur artical add some more happy for that.the ever fillm u'r acting on
be a worldwide success.Even I am came to IPL cricet match SORRY i
don't have a chance to talk with u.never mind allfor been GOOD. being
happy after looking ur smile.
Jul 30, 2009 1:01 AM
Guest :
hi srk i m bilal frrom pakistan hyderabad you are big big superstar in the
world more big super star for me i m very love for you i vove srkkkk
Sep 2, 2009 3:27 AM
Guest :
hi SRK its daud from rawalpindi pakistan u r the greatst of all times and
go well as u r going
Sep 10, 2009 1:23 PM
Guest :
hi every one i am from venezuela and love srk he is very famous here also
really i like all of your comentries about him
Oct 7, 2009 4:31 AM
Guest :
hi, am from cameroon and i do love SRK to a fault that he is
already part of me. i love his everything, personality, and acting. he is a
hero of all time and will do remain a legend as i believe it is just a gift
and talent from God.Shahrukh, keep on!!
Nov 6, 2009 8:12 AM
Guest :
Hi SRk I really love lots of your movies. You are a great star. I enjoy
watching your movie with drama love seen it make the movie more intersting
to many specator.That movie you make with your self and kajol name Dilwale
Dulhaniya le Jayenge. I think that you made that movie seem so, wonderfui
to many young teenage and fokes. keep up the great work SRK. I will be
watching more of your exciting movies/ Thank you Naz
Nov 7, 2009 7:58 AM
Guest :
Hi I am kazi Sherpa frm Nepal, i am one of the die heart fan of Srk since
1998 after watching KKHH, this movie is evergreen , even after 200 yrs this
movie will b the most romantic love story for our upcoming gen... Love
Srk,,,
