Shahrukh Khan turns 51: Top nine lesser known facts

Updated on

02 Nov 16, 17:50:17 PKT

Summary On the occassion, we bring to you, top nine lesser known facts about the celebrity

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Shahrukh Khan, the celebrity influential in paradigm shifts of Indian cinema over past decades and the first one to push Indian content outside Indian boundaries, is celebrating his 51st birthday today.

On the occassion, we bring to you, top nine lesser known facts about the celebrity whose name is synonymous to Bollywood and Indian films for thousands who are alien to the culture and style of filmmaking across the world.

Shahrukh Khan’s father met his wife over a road accident

Meer Taj Mohammad met the woman who he went on to marry over a road accident. Meer and one of his friends were strolling down Delhi Gate when they saw a car turned turtle whose driver had fled. The two men positioned the car and shifted the passengers to a nearby hospital.

Among the wounded was Begum Fatima, hailing from a family in Indian Hyderabad who by the way, was already engaged. Meer donated his blood to Fatima and later travelled to Hyderabad to donate some more to Fatima s ailing mother as his blood matched that of both.

Meer Taj Mohammad was to be rewarded by the indebted family and they offered to marry their younger daughter however, the saviour had other plans. Meer asked the patriarch to get the elder one married to him, the one who he had lent his blood.

And guess what..?

That is exactly what happened.

Theatre legends taught Shahrukh ‘bluff’ in NSD

Hot from the oven: Shahrukh Khan, wife play cards at Amir’s residence this Diwali

It is a lesser known fact that Shahrukh Khan who is purported by many as an ‘outsider’ played cards in National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi with likes of Raj Babbar during school-going days. Late Meer juggled different sources of income, one of which was to run a canteen in the college that has produced many notable artistes.

Shahrukh, the kid used to hang out at the institution after his school and have lunch at father s canteen which is where many reputable theatre actors used to hang out often.

In an interview, Shahrukh revealed that Raj Babbar taught him how to play bluff during those days.

Why Shahrukh visits London quite often?

Khan visits London quite often which until recently was because of the fact that his son studied there but there is another reason for Khan to visit the Brit city.

Shahrukh’s maternal aunt resides there; late Fatima’s sister.

Trivia: Aryan now studies film and acting in University of Southern California after he graduated in British school.

SRK dispatched a collection of DVDs to Paulo Coelho

Many have seen Khan clicked by shutterbugs with different Hollywood names but apparently, author of famous books including, The Alchemist, Eleven Minutes, Brida among others, Paulo Coelho became a fan of the celebrity after a meeting that prompted Khan to dispatch a collection of his films to him.

The noted writer took to social media to appreciate Khan’s warm attitude.

Shahid’s mother in ‘Jab We Met’ is one of SRK’s closest friends

Divya Seth, an actor who played Shahid Kapoor’s mother in ‘Jab We Met’ knows Khan since the days when none knew him except for his college friends and threatre group s actors in Delhi.

Seth was part of SRK’s group of young performers who polished their talent then under the mentorship of revered theatre director, Barry John.

SRK spent a lot of ‘quality time’ with Ranbir’s ‘bestie’ on ‘Swades’

Director of ‘Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani’ and Ranbir Kapoor’s best friend, Ayan Mukherjee revealed in an interview that Shahrukh Khan spent a lot of time talking to him during shooting of ‘Swades’ since he did not know many people in the crew and he could not even fly back to Mumbai from a remote village the film was shot in as the director was quite strict.

Ayan, who was an assistant director on the film did not miss out on the opportunity and spent a lot of time talking to the man about films and art.

The then assistant director went on to deliver ‘Wake Up Sid’ and then the money-spinner, ‘Yeh Jawwani Hai Deewani’.

Trivia: Ayan is brother-in-law of Ashutosh Gowariker (man behind Lagaan) and cousin to Kajol

‘Chalte Chalte’ was to star Aishwarya but SRK replaced her with Rani

Shahrukh Khan s then production house, ‘Dreamz Unlimited’ was to cast Aishwarya Rai in ‘Chalte Chalte’ but the female lead was replaced with Rani Mukherjee to which Aishwarya Rai Bachan allegedly over cold-shoulder to Salman.

Salman Khan s residence has been dubbed by many stars as the best place for food which is where SRK used to hang out a lot initially.

Shahrukh had rejected ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘3 Idiots’

It is a lesser known fact that ‘Rang De Basanti’ was to star Shahrukh Khan until he said No to the project only to push the project on to Amir Khan s table who saw the true potential of the film and jumped onboard with director, Rakeysh OmPrakash Mehra.

Same was the case when Rajkumar Hirani narrated ‘3 Idiots’ to Shahrukh.

Just before we wrap up our list, here is a little extra since SRK likes to take everything at least a notch bit further