Shah Rukh Khan, often hailed as the undisputed king of Bollywood, was once known as a ‘rebel with a cause’ when he first broke into the industry as an outsider. With an acting career spanning over 30 years, he has achieved immense success, becoming not only a national icon but an international superstar with millions of fans worldwide. Despite his achievements, one deep regret lingers for King Khan: his parents passed away before they could witness his rise to fame. As SRK celebrated his 59th birthday on November 2, 2024, let’s revisit his first interview from 1991, where the actor opened up about his early struggles and journey to stardom.
Shah Rukh Khan was a simple boy from Delhi with big dreams in his eyes. One of the biggest superstars of all time, Shah Rukh lost his father, Meer Taj Mohammed Khan, at the mere age of 14. His mother, Lateef Fatima Khan, became his primary support system. His mother became the pillar who always made him feel special, supported his dreams and helped him realise his worth.
In his interview with Stardust, SRK recounted how his mother's support had always uplifted him in his early days. He was quoted as saying:
“My mother was always very proud of me. In her eyes, I was the best and I had started believing that. Mummy made me feel like that. And after she died I suddenly realised that I was not the best after all. I was no big shit. A nobody. It was her greatest dream to see me on the big screen. She did a lot for me and nobody on this earth would have done so much…I was still young when my father died. I didn't cry at his death. I cried at my mother's death. It was very strange… very emotional… I don't know… I still can't get over it… I might start crying now…”
Shah Rukh recalled how his mother had to be admitted to the ICU the week before his first serial, Circus, was scheduled to be released. He shared his heartbreaking experience of seeing his mother surrounded by respirators and tubes. He recalled feeling powerless and telling his mother how he felt, saying things that now seemed ridiculous but were very important at the time.
Shah Rukh remembered hugging her at her bedside and begging that she couldn't die because he would be very unhappy. She hadn't seen his new show yet and there was so much they hadn't done together. The actor shared the memory of his mother’s last day, saying:
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“I remember in the ICU, she was sitting up and she had this blank look in her eyes, and she was a beautiful woman, very beautiful… I said, Mummy, you will become alright, you will become okay for me. I am going to do films. My serial (Circus) is coming up. And that night, the doctor came…he said, ‘Woh tumhari mummy ko sans chadh rahi hai, humein nahin maloom abhi kya karna hai.’ He asked me to get some injections. I went all over Delhi… I could not get them… I had just four and the doctor wanted twenty.”
SRK, who did not believe in God, prayed for the first time that night by repeating something in Arabic from the Quran in desperation to save his mother's life.
Despite all his relentless efforts, Shah Rukh Khan could not save his mother. She unfortunately passed away before his first show could air on television. The actor admitted that even though he was overwhelmed when he realised that his mother had died, it was not until he had to bury her, that his emotions came crashing down and he cried. The actor said:
“There was no drama in her dying. She had her eyes open, she just kept looking at me and then suddenly she just closed her eyes and died. I didn’t cry then. The crying came later when I was burying her. And at that time it somehow made me feel that I wasn’t so great after all. No one is great. So when I say that this one is no big shit. I don’t mean offence. I just mean that nothing is permanent, ever.”
Shah Rukh Khan has often expressed deep regret about his mother's absence during his rise to stardom. He acknowledges that after her passing, he realised he wasn't as perfect as she had always portrayed him to be. This realisation has left him feeling a certain lack of confidence.
SRK consistently credits his parents for his charisma and kindness. He believes their teachings instilled in him humility and shaped the person he is today. He is eternally grateful for their unwavering support and sacrifices, which fueled his dream of becoming a superstar.
Shah Rukh Khan once again proved why he’s an international heartthrob. The actor recently visited a jewellery store in the UAE with his wife, Gauri Khan, where CCTV footage captured his warm encounter with an employee. This brief encounter left fans all smiles at SRK’s humble gesture.
On his work front, Shah Rukh is working with Sujoy Ghosh in the upcoming film, King, where he will share the screen with his daughter, Suhana Khan. On his 59th birthday, the actor broke his annual ritual of greeting his fans from his residence, ‘Mannat’, and personally appeared in a meet-and-greet with a fun Q&A session.
What do you think of King Khan’s unfiltered and vulnerable chat in his first interview?
Also Read: Aishwarya Rai Talked About 'Adjustments' In Abhishek And Her Relationship, 'There's A Lot To Give..'
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