Shah Rukh Khan: Full Biography and Career History
Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to by his initials SRK, is an Indian actor, film producer, and television personality who is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential actors in the history of world cinema. Known as the "Baadshah of Bollywood," "King Khan," and the "King of Romance," his career spanning over three decades includes more than 100 films and a legacy that has made him a global cultural icon.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Shah Rukh Khan |
| Date of Birth | November 2, 1965 |
| Place of Birth | New Delhi, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Profession | Actor, Producer, Television Host, Entrepreneur |
| Parents | Meer Taj Mohammed Khan (Father, an Indian independence activist), Lateef Fatima Khan (Mother, a magistrate) |
| Sibling | Shehnaz Lalarukh Khan (Elder sister) |
| Spouse | Gauri Khan (m. 1991), a film producer and interior designer |
| Children | Aryan Khan (Son, b. 1997), Suhana Khan (Daughter, b. 2000), AbRam Khan (Son, b. 2013 via surrogate) |
| Film Debut | Deewana (1992) |
| Net Worth | Estimated around $770 million (over ₹6,300 crores) |
Early Life and Education
Shah Rukh Khan was born in New Delhi to Muslim parents of Pathan descent. His father, Meer Taj Mohammed Khan, was an Indian independence activist from Peshawar (present-day Pakistan), and his mother, Lateef Fatima, was the daughter of a senior government engineer. He has described himself as "half-Pathan, half-Hyderabadi, and some Kashmiri."
He grew up in the Rajendra Nagar neighbourhood of Delhi. He excelled in academics and sports at St. Columba's School, where he was awarded the prestigious 'Sword of Honour', an annual award given to the student best representing the school's spirit.
He earned his bachelor's degree in Economics from Hansraj College, Delhi University (1985–1988). He then began studying for a master's degree in Mass Communications at Jamia Millia Islamia but left to pursue his acting career. He also attended the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi. Following the deaths of his parents in 1981 and 1991, he moved to Mumbai to start a career in Bollywood.
Career History
SRK's career is a remarkable story of an outsider who rose to become the undisputed king of the industry, marked by distinct, successful phases.
1. Television and The Anti-Hero Debut (1988–1994)
Television Beginnings: Khan started his career in the late 1980s with appearances in several television series. His role as the commando Abhimanyu Rai in the 1989 series Fauji earned him instant recognition. This was followed by his role in the 1989 series Circus.
Bollywood Debut: He made his film debut with a supporting role in (1992), which became a box office hit and earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.
The Rise of the Anti-Hero: In a move that defied convention, Khan took on negative roles early in his career. His obsessive lover characters in (1993) and (1993) were groundbreaking. His performance as the vengeful murderer in Baazigar won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor. His chilling "K-K-K-Kiran" dialogue from Darr remains iconic. He also played a psychopath in (1994).
2. The King of Romance (1995–2003)
This era cemented his status as the ultimate romantic hero of Indian cinema.
(DDLJ) (1995): This film was a cultural phenomenon. His portrayal of the charming and witty Raj Malhotra redefined the romantic hero. DDLJ became the longest-running film in Indian cinema history and catapulted him to superstardom.
Yash Chopra & Karan Johar Collaborations: His partnerships with these directors produced some of the biggest blockbusters of the era:
(1997): A musical romance that was a massive hit.
(1998): A blockbuster that became a cultural touchstone for a generation.
(2001): An epic family drama with a huge ensemble cast that broke box office records worldwide.
(2003): A heart-wrenching romantic drama where his performance was highly praised.
Other Notable Hits: He also starred in hits like (1997) and the critically acclaimed (1998), directed by Mani Ratnam.
3. The Versatile Actor and Producer (2004–2012)
Khan began to experiment with a wider variety of roles while continuing his box office dominance.
(2004): A departure from his romantic image, he delivered a subtle and powerful performance as a NASA scientist who rediscovers his roots. It is considered one of his finest acting performances.
(2007): He delivered a transformative performance as Kabir Khan, the coach of the Indian women's national hockey team. The non-romantic, serious role earned him immense critical acclaim and another Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
(2010): His portrayal of a man with Asperger's syndrome won him global praise and further solidified his reputation as a serious actor.
Producer and Blockbusters: He founded his production company Red Chillies Entertainment in 2003. Under this banner, he produced and starred in blockbusters like (2004), (2007), and the sci-fi superhero film (2011).
4. Global Stardom and a Brief Hiatus (2013–2022)
This period saw him star in some of the highest-grossing films while also facing a few critical and commercial setbacks, leading to a self-imposed break.
Massive Commercial Successes: He starred in back-to-back blockbusters like (2013) and (2014), both of which shattered box office records.
Experimental Roles: He continued to experiment with films like (2016), where he played a dual role of a superstar and his obsessive fan, and (2018), where he played a vertically challenged man. While his performances were praised, the films underperformed commercially.
The Hiatus: After the release of Zero, Khan took a nearly five-year hiatus from leading roles to reassess his career and spend time with his family.
5. The Unprecedented Comeback (2023–Present)
The Roaring Return: SRK made a historic comeback in 2023. His spy-action film Pathaan shattered nearly every domestic and international box office record for a Hindi film.
Continuing the Streak: He followed it up with Jawan, an action-thriller where he played a dual role. The film broke the records set by Pathaan just months earlier, making him the only Indian actor to deliver two films grossing over ₹1000 crore worldwide in a single year.
He ended the year with Dunki, a comedy-drama directed by Rajkumar Hirani, which also became a major commercial success. This comeback is widely regarded as the greatest in Indian cinema history.
Beyond Films
Business Ventures: He is the co-chairman of Red Chillies Entertainment and its subsidiary, a major VFX studio. He is also the co-owner of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Television Host: He has hosted popular game shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati (2007) and Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? (2008), as well as the TED Talks India series.
Philanthropy: He is a noted philanthropist, though he rarely publicizes his efforts. He is the founder of the Meer Foundation, which works to empower acid attack survivors. He has also been involved in numerous disaster relief efforts.
Global Ambassador: SRK is a global ambassador for Indian cinema. He has received numerous international honors, including the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the Légion d'honneur from the French government, and has been awarded several honorary doctorates from international universities.
Personal Life
Shah Rukh Khan married Gauri Chibber, a Punjabi Hindu, in 1991 after a six-year courtship. Their inter-faith marriage was highly unconventional at the time. They have three children: son Aryan, daughter Suhana, and son AbRam. Khan is fiercely protective of his family and is known to be a devoted husband and father.
Legacy and Public Image
Shah Rukh Khan's legacy is defined by more than just his films. He is a symbol of the self-made man—an outsider with no industry connections who conquered Bollywood through sheer talent, hard work, and unparalleled charisma. His quick wit, intelligence, and eloquent speeches have made him a beloved public figure. For millions across the globe, he represents the dream of success, the power of love, and the enduring charm of a true superstar. He has received 14 Filmfare Awards, tying with the legendary Dilip Kumar for the most Best Actor wins (8), and was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2005.
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