Shah Rukh Khan, the first billionaire in the history of Bollywood, who dreamed of becoming an athlete as a child and whose life resembles a movie, turns 61 (photos, video)

Dreamed of becoming an athlete as a child, life like a movie, first billionaire in Bollywood history Shah Rukh Khan is 61 years old (photo, video)

Born on November 2, 1965 in Delhi, Shah Rukh Khan celebrates his 61st birthday today. He is not just a famous actor in Indian movies. Having lost his parents at a young age and forced to start his life from scratch, this young man from a family with almost no connection to the cinema world has today become one of the most recognizable movie stars globally, a major business owner, and a personality with billions of fans.

His life holds much love, separation, loss, success, and unexpected turns, just like in romantic films. His 35-year-long love story with Gauri, losing his parents early, achieving fame through anti-hero roles, stepping away from cinema for several years and making a massive comeback — all of these are different pages in Shah Rukh Khan's life.

### The boy who dreamed of becoming an athlete

Shah Rukh Khan was born in Delhi into a simple yet educated Muslim family. His father, Meer Taj Muhammad Khan, hailed from Peshawar and was a political activist who fought for India's independence. His mother, Lateef Fatima, worked in the judicial system. When discussing the actor's origins, his Pashtun heritage on his father's side is often mentioned. Shah Rukh himself has emphasized many times that his father's roots trace back to Peshawar.

Since childhood, he was active, outgoing, and interested in various activities. Attending St. Columba's School in Delhi, Shah Rukh excelled not only in academics, but also in sports and theater.

In his youth, he was passionate about sports, particularly hockey and football. However, his interest in acting gradually grew stronger. He performed on school stages, participated in various plays, and tested his talents in the world of art.

After school, he studied economics at Hansraj College. During his studies from 1985 to 1988, he did not stop pursuing theater. Later, he began a master's degree program in mass communication at Jamia Millia Islamia University, but did not complete it due to immersing himself entirely in his acting career.

One of the greatest trials in Shah Rukh's life was the early loss of his parents. His father passed away from cancer in 1981. Ten years later, in 1991, his mother also passed away. The actor later stated in various interviews that the loss of his parents fundamentally altered his worldview and attitude toward life.

His mother held a special place for him. Even after achieving success, Shah Rukh did not hide his deep wish that his mother had been by his side to watch his films and take pride in his accomplishments. The actor frequently emphasizes that one of his greatest regrets is not being able to show his current success to his parents.

### First an anti-hero, then a romantic prince

Shah Rukh Khan's acting path did not begin in cinema as many think, but on television. In 1988, he played military cadet Abhimanyu Rai in the television series "Fauji". The series brought him his first fame. In 1992, he made his big-screen debut with the film "Deewana". The film was well received by the audience and brought the young actor his first major success.

However, Shah Rukh Khan's rise to stardom did not begin with the image of a romantic hero. In the 1993 film releases "Baazigar" and "Darr", he portrayed complex, psychologically unstable, and even dangerous characters. Later, he also created a negative character in the movie "Anjaam".

At that time, many actors avoided such roles that could evoke hatred from the audience. Shah Rukh, on the contrary, took the risk. His unconventional choice paid off: he demonstrated that, unlike standard romantic heroes, he could convincingly portray complex characters as well.

The year 1995 marked a turning point in the actor's life. He starred alongside Kajol in Aditya Chopra's film "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge". The characters of Raj and Simran became one of the most iconic romantic couples in Indian cinema.

The success of the film went far beyond that of a ordinary hit. It became one of the longest-running films in the history of Indian cinema. It screened continuously for 25 years at the Maratha Mandir cinema in Mumbai, entering the Guinness Book of World Records.

Afterward, films like "Dil To Pagal Hai", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...", "Kal Ho Naa Ho", "Main Hoon Na", "Dilwale", and "Don" established Shah Rukh Khan as the primary star of the romantic genre. His signature pose — arms spread out to both sides with his head slightly raised — became world-famous.

However, the actor did not limit himself to romantic films. He portrayed a tragic lover in "Devdas", a scientist returning to his homeland in "Swades", a women's hockey team coach in "Chak De! India", and an autistic man in "My Name Is Khan".

It was these very roles that demonstrated his capabilities as an actor were not restricted to a single genre. He won numerous Filmfare Awards, and in 2023, he was named Best Actor at India's National Film Awards for his performance in the movie "Jawan".

### A relationship that started at 18 and has lasted for 35 years

One of the most important people in Shah Rukh Khan's life is his wife, Gauri Khan. Their love story is no less romantic than the events in Indian movies.

They met in 1984 at a mutual friend's party when Shah Rukh was 18 years old. The young man fell in love with Gauri at first sight. However, thinking there was another guy next to her, he did not dare approach her. As it turned out later, Gauri was actually waiting for her brother.

When Shah Rukh gathered the courage to invite her to dance, Gauri refused. Despite this, the young man did not give up on her.

However, Shah Rukh's possessive nature negatively affected their relationship for a time. He did not like Gauri communicating with other guys and even interfered with her appearance. Eventually, tired of such a relationship, Gauri decided to leave for Mumbai.

Fearing he would lose his beloved, Shah Rukh set off in search of her. The actor later recalled in an interview searching for Gauri with his friends across the entire city, finally finding her on a beach. When they met, they gave free rein to their emotions, hugging and crying together. After that incident, they decided to continue their relationship.

One of the biggest obstacles in their love was religion and family views. Gauri grew up in a Hindu family, while Shah Rukh was Muslim. Furthermore, at that time, Shah Rukh was not yet a famous actor, but a young man with an uncertain future. Gauri's parents initially opposed their daughter marrying a representative of another religion who wanted to become an actor.

Interestingly, Gauri later mentioned in an interview that to calm her parents down, they jokingly changed Shah Rukh's name to Abhinav. This attempt was certainly not a serious solution, but it shows the lengths to which the young couple went to preserve their love.

Finally, on October 25, 1991, Shah Rukh and Gauri got married. Their wedding was celebrated with ceremonies that combined Hindu and Muslim traditions.

Today, their family consists of three children: Aryan, born in 1997; Suhana, born in 2000; and AbRam, born in 2013. Gauri Khan herself holds a prominent place not only as the wife of a famous actor, but also as a renowned interior designer, entrepreneur, and producer.

The traditions of both religions are respected in their family. According to Shah Rukh, he did not want to forcibly impose a religious choice on his children. Once, when asked about his children's religion, he stated that he considers them Indian first and foremost.

As open and lighthearted as Shah Rukh Khan appears in public, he is equally protective of his family life. He wants his children not to remain in the shadow of fame and to choose their own paths independently.

### A five-year hiatus and an unexpected return

There were also setbacks in Shah Rukh Khan's career. In the second half of the 2010s, some of his films did not yield the expected results. Projects like "Fan", "Jab Harry Met Sejal", and "Zero" failed to reach the level of the actor's previous box-office hits.

After the release of the movie "Zero" in 2018, he stepped away from lead roles for a while. During this period, the actor devoted more time to his family, business, and choosing new projects. It was during this very period, in 2022, that the actor also performed the Umrah pilgrimage.

Fans waited a long time for his return to the big screen. Finally, in 2023, Shah Rukh Khan conquered theaters once again with the film "Pathaan". "Jawan", released after that, also achieved massive commercial success. At the end of the year, Rajkumar Hirani's film "Dunki" hit the screens.

The movies "Pathaan" and "Jawan" in particular proved that the actor can still draw large audiences to theaters. They generated great interest not only in India, but also in the international market.

Shah Rukh Khan's biggest project in 2026 is the movie "King". Directed by Siddharth Anand, this film is expected to be the next important stage in the actor's return to the big screen.

Along with Shah Rukh Khan, his daughter Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, and Rani Mukerji will also star in the film. This project is generating particular interest as the father-daughter duo's first big-screen collaboration.

The official release date of the film is set for December 24, 2026. Thus, even before hitting the screens, "King" has become one of the most anticipated Indian films of the year.

The young man who once tested himself on a Delhi theater stage is now one of global cinema's most famous stars. His films are watched in different countries, in different languages, and by representatives of different generations. The love of Raj and Simran, the fate of Rizwan Khan, the determination of Kabir Khan, or the heroism in "Jawan" — all of these reveal different facets of the actor's craft.