The King Khan of Bollywood

By: Poonam, Deviah

Shahrukh Khan, the 'Bollywood Badshah' is a brand today. Mostly when he is signed on films, the directors would know that it would do well. This is the magic of the 'King Khan.' Shahrukh first came into the limelight as a soldier, Abhimanyu in a tele-serial 'Fauji.' This took the Indian television by storm. He got instant recognition and soon was cast in Circus, a mega serial in the days when satellite television was still new and untapped. Little did he know then that he would soon be the most sought after name in Bollywood. Deewana, his debut film, opened the doors of Bollywood for him. Though he starred as a second hero to Rishi Kapoor, he made his mark. Soon offers flowed and what followed is history.

Born on 2nd November 1965, Shahrukh grew up in Delhi. His father was a lawyer and freedom fighter and mother a magistrate and a social worker. He completed schooling from 'St. Columba's school' and went on to do Mass Communication in 'Jamia Millia Islamia.' He has always been an achiever.

• Sword of Honour to the most outstanding student
• The Ravi Subramani award
• The Sujit Memorial award
• He captained all teams in football, hockey, and cricket
• He was also in dramatics
• Very good in Hindi, Electronics, Biology
• He was a king in Electronics
• He still remembers the books he studied from.

Aditya Chopra, (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge) Karan Johar (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai) and Farah Khan (Main Hoon Na) made their debut movies with Shahrukh and to say that all were hits would be an understatement. It may be interesting here to note that Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is still making money. India cinema Maratha Mandir has been airing the film weekly since its release in October 1995.

He has his own production house, Red Chillies Entertainment (called Dreamz Unlimited earlier), which has brought out, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Chalte Chalte, Main Hoon Na, Paheli of which he produced Chalte Chalte. Paheli was based on the novel by leading Rajasthani writer Vijaydan Detha. It is a folk tale, a supernatural love story about a ghost who falls in love with a newlywed woman. Shahrukh Khan was so impressed by the script that he offered to produce it. Amol Palekar's Paheli made its way to the Oscar's but failed to get selected. Shahrukh Khan and his seven-year-old son Aryan will voice the father and son lead roles in the Hindi version of hit animated movie The Incredibles.

During the Temptation 2004 show, in Sri Lanka, A grenade exploded near the stage when Shahrukh and his group were performing. Though Khan and his entourage escaped unscathed, 2 were killed and 18 injured in the incident.

Here is a list of a few of the many awards he has won:

International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, Amsterdam:

2005: Best Actor, Veer Zaara

Filmfare awards:

1993 - Most sensational Debut
1994 - Best Actor for Baazigar
1995 - Critics Award for Kabhi Ha Kabhi Na
1995 - Best Villian for Anjaam
1996 - Best Actor for Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
1997 - Best Actor for Dil To Pagal Hai
1998 - Best Actor Award for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
LUX ZEE CINE AWARDS

1997 - Best Actor for Dil To Pagal Hai
1998 - Best Actor Award for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
EXCLUSIVE AWARDS

1997 - Best Indian Citizen Award From The President Of India
1997 - Sansui Best Actor Award given away in New Delhi

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