Shah Rukh Khan | |
|---|---|
 Khan in 2018 | |
| Born | Shahrukh Khan 2 November 1965 |
| Alma mater | Hansraj College (BA) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1988–present |
| Organisation(s) | Red Chillies Entertainment Knight Riders Group |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse | Gauri Khan (m. 1991) |
| Children | 3, including Aryan and Suhana |
| Awards | Full list |
| Honours | Padma Shri (2005) Order of Arts and Letters (2007) Legion of Honour (2014) |
Shah Rukh Khan, born on 2 November 1965, is an Indian actor, film producer, and global icon known for his work in Hindi cinema. Widely recognized by his initials SRK, he is often referred to as the “Baadshah of Bollywood” or “King Khan.” Over the course of his career, he has appeared in more than 100 films and earned numerous honors, including 14 Filmfare Awards. Khan has also been conferred the Padma Shri by the Government of India, as well as France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and Légion d’Honneur, recognizing his contribution to arts and cinema.
With a massive global fan base across Asia and the Indian diaspora, Khan is considered one of the most successful and influential film stars in the world in terms of both popularity and earnings. His body of work often explores themes such as Indian national identity, diasporic connections, and social, gender, and religious dynamics, making him a significant cultural figure beyond entertainment.
Khan began his acting journey in the late 1980s, appearing in several television serials before making his Bollywood debut with the romantic drama Deewana (1992). He gained early recognition for portraying anti-heroic characters in Baazigar (1993) and Darr (1993). His career soon skyrocketed with a series of blockbuster romantic films, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Veer-Zaara (2004), and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006).
Khan also earned widespread critical acclaim for his versatility — playing a tragic lover in Devdas (2002), a NASA scientist in Swades (2004), a hockey coach in Chak De! India (2007), and a man with Asperger’s syndrome in My Name Is Khan (2010). He continued his box-office dominance with Om Shanti Om (2007), Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), Chennai Express (2013), and Happy New Year (2014). After a brief hiatus, he made a remarkable comeback with the 2023 action blockbusters Pathaan and Jawan, both of which became record-breaking hits and ranked among the highest-grossing Indian films ever made.
Beyond acting, Khan is the co-chairman of Red Chillies Entertainment, one of India’s leading film production and visual effects companies, and co-owner of the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders as well as the CPL team Trinbago Knight Riders. His extensive brand endorsements and business ventures have earned him the nickname “Brand SRK.”
A passionate humanitarian, Khan supports numerous causes, including children’s education, healthcare, and disaster relief. In recognition of his philanthropic efforts, he received UNESCO’s Pyramide con Marni Award (2011) and the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum (2018) for championing women’s and children’s rights.
Khan frequently features in lists of the most influential and powerful personalities in global entertainment. In 2008, Newsweek named him among the 50 most powerful people in the world; in 2022, readers of Empire magazine voted him among the 50 greatest actors of all time; and in 2023, Time magazine included him in its list of the world’s most influential people — cementing his status as one of cinema’s most enduring legends.
