How well do you know Shah Rukh Khan?
Shah Rukh Khan is one of the most famous actors in the world, with fans from India to Europe. Six questions, from easy to hard.
Did you know?
- Shah Rukh Khan's open-armed pose, often filmed on hilltops or in fields, is so famous that fans recreate it at tourist spots. In 2021 a bronze statue of him and co-star Kajol, showing a scene from 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', was unveiled in London's Leicester Square.
- The Maratha Mandir cinema in Mumbai kept showing 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' in a daily morning slot for well over 1,000 weeks. For many visitors, watching it there became a tradition in itself.
- Shah Rukh Khan studied economics at Hansraj College in Delhi before moving into acting. He has often spoken about his parents and how their early deaths shaped his determination to succeed.
Bollywood's global ambassador
Shah Rukh Khan grew up in Delhi and moved to Mumbai to work in films in the early 1990s. Without family connections in the film industry, he became one of its greatest stars, known for romantic roles, energetic performances and a quick wit in interviews. His films are watched across South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and beyond.
The romantic hero
In the 1990s Shah Rukh Khan became the face of Bollywood romance. Films like 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' and 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' set trends in fashion, music and even travel, with fans visiting Swiss locations where scenes were filmed. His open-armed pose became one of the most recognisable gestures in Indian cinema.
A global audience
Bollywood films reach huge international audiences, particularly among the South Asian diaspora in the UK, the US, the Gulf and elsewhere. Shah Rukh Khan's films often perform strongly in these markets, and his popularity extends to countries such as Germany, where his films have been dubbed and have a dedicated fan base.
Beyond acting
Shah Rukh Khan is also a producer through his company Red Chillies Entertainment, which works on films and visual effects. His co-ownership of an IPL cricket team connects him to India's other great passion, cricket. His speeches and interviews are widely shared for their humour and personal stories about work and fame.
A voice for fans everywhere
Shah Rukh Khan often speaks in interviews about working hard without connections in the film world. That story resonates with many young people in South Asia and abroad who hope to succeed in competitive fields. His talks at universities and events, full of humour and self-mocking stories, are widely shared online and have made him a popular speaker as well as an actor.