Shah Rukh Khan turns 42

Himanshu Shekhar

Can you ever imagine anyone else in the role of Raj in ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’? Can you visualize some other actor delivering the dialogue – Bade bade deshon mein aisi choti choti batein hoti rahte hain, Senorita? Probably no, not if you belong to the Generation Y that has grown up watching the making of the superstar King Khan. Early Life Born on 2nd of November 1965 to Taj Mohammed and Fatima Khan, Shahrukh did his schooling from St Columba’s School. His father Taj Mohammed Khan was a freedom fighter. Shahrukh as a child demonstrated signs of making of a star, when he was awarded with Sword of Honour at St Columbus, an award given for keeping the spirit of the school. His early inclination towards acting and drama was evident even at school as he often missed his classes for co-curricular activities. After graduating from Hansraj College, SRK completed his MA in Mass Communication from Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia. Probably it was just a build up to his career, which can be termed as most illustrious in Bollywood. Heartthrob Raj ruled reel across the globe Year 1995 was a turning point in not only Shahrukh Khan’s career but also Bollywood in general. For it gave Bollywood its star of the decade. His denim jackets and loosely tucked shirt became a fashion statement for youngsters. Raj became the most talked about character in Bollywood fraternity. The mustard fields in Punjab and a young boy-playing guitar with a refreshing smile became the poster image of Indian cinema. The movie saw a huge opening in India and UK. It was the first Bollywood movie to get full house booking in London’s elite theatres. ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum’ Shahrukh’s journey in the reel life is a bit different from the stars that come with an established name. With no godfather in ‘Mayanagri’ Mumbai it was the charm of succeeding in life, which took him to Mumbai. His initial struggle when he was forced to spend nights on railway platforms seems to be straight out of a Bollywood blockbuster. After the death of his parents Khan moved from Gurgaon to Mumbai in 1991. He made his Bollywood film debut in Deewana (1992), which was a box office hit and launched his career in Bollywood. His debut performance won him the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. His second release Maya Memsaab was known for its controversies as Khan appeared in what was termed as “explicit sex scenes" in the film. In 1993 he won acclaim for his performances as a murderer and obsessive lover respectively in the box office hits Baazigar and Darr. It was bold decision for it was a hero to take up negative role but both clicked. He won his first Filmfare Best Actor Award for his performance in Baazigar. He was also appreciated for his role as a young loser in Kundan Shah`s Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa which earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award (critics) the same year. In 1994 Khan once again played an obsessive lover/psycho role in Anjaam. Even though the movie was not a box office success Khan`s performance in a negative role earned him the Filmfare Best Villain Award. Then came his super successes in the form of Karan Arjun, DDLJ, Pardes, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Veer Zaara and most recently, Chak De India. He has been courageous enough to take up different roles not bothering too much about how public would react. Shahrukh Khan was recently voted as Maha Style Icon at MTV style awards ceremony. He has been in news for his ‘six-pack abs’, which he developed for his forthcoming venture ‘Om Shanti Om’. King Khan has an unprecedented hold over Bollywood and his movies sell like hot cakes. Against all expectations, he hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati. His charisma, his magic, his talent makes him undisputed ‘Baadshah of Bollywood’. From man who was largely criticized as one-dimensional, Shahrukh proved his critics wrong by his power packed role in Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Swadesh. Chak De! his last flick proved it again that he his hit even while playing different roles. Our best wishes on his birthday! Trivia

He did his High school from St Columba`s High School in New Delhi

He has been voted the sexiest man in Asia by the Jade magazine.

He was an ace in electronics and biology but wasn`t good at all

For a short spell, Shahrukh Khan ran a restaurant in Darya Ganj, New Delhi.

Shahrukh Khan is a chain smoker

Shahrukh Khan started a production house with colleague Juhio Chawla.

He married his girl friend Gauri Khan.

He has a daughter and a son.

He loves gadgets and latest computers.

His lost over 10 kgs to get his six pack body.

He considers ‘Swadesh’ and ‘Chak De’ as his best movies.