Shah Rukh Khan: The man whose charm refuses to fade

"He is not just a star; he is an emotion.” That’s how Karan Johar summed up Shah Rukh Khan in a recent podcast and for millions, it couldn’t be truer. As the actor steps into his 60s today, he remains the eternal sweetheart of the silver screen, the romantic hero whose outstretched arms seem to embrace the world. He can laugh at himself and at others, and his warmth makes him as loved in Mumbai as in Marrakech (Morocco), as adored in Delhi as in Dubai. Never the one to hide behind humility; he cheerfully calls himself “the last of the superstars”, and perhaps, the most talked about entertainer of our times. Because with SRK, it isn’t just about stardom; it’s about an everlasting charm that refuses to fade, and a kind of magic that still makes millions believe in love.



Mohabbatein Forever

His brand of mohabbatein isn’t just about charm and chemistry, but about respect, equality, and a modern understanding of what it means to love




For over three decades now, ever since he made the leap from villain to hero (Baazigar, Darr, Anjaam), and gave eternal definition to love: “Pyaar dosti hai”, and spirited his dulhania away, the dimpled guy with an untamed mop of hair has been busy building his own brand of mohabbatein – one that speaks as convincingly to seven-year-olds as to seventy.

For a generation caught in the swirl of liberalisation, Shah Rukh Khan’s films became the emotional compass of the 1990s. They offered easy aspirations and tender escapism. In those GAP tees and DKNY sweatshirts, he delivered glossy teen romances, before expanding into cross-border love stories and pluralistic sports dramas that celebrated unity in diversity. Above all, he became the poster boy of a post-modern Bollywood romance – one that evolved from the misplaced machismo of pursuit to a gentler, grown-up understanding of love.

He credits the success of his love stories to his “right and respectful” treatment of women. SRK once said, “To me, it's a personal issue: A woman not being portrayed rightly in a film. I would never do (that) film as an actor or producer. You can crack a few jokes, you can be naughty but the overall treatment of women in films should be top class. As a matter of fact, most of my love stories have done well for me because I treated women very well in my films. I treated them as equals and that is the one reason that people think I am a good romantic hero because my girls have always been respected.”

Naam toh suna hi hoga

His stardom transcends geography, language, and culture – his face instantly recognisable, his charm universally understood

There may be no city, no town, no tucked-away corner of the world where Shah Rukh Khan would walk by unrecognised. His face, that smile, those eyes, have travelled further than borders and languages ever could. His global fandom has even become the subject of academic research.

From Peru to Poland, from the Middle East to Malaysia, SRK’s fan clubs thrive. In 2022, an Egyptian travel agent once let an Indian tourist book a tour without paying in advance. The reason: “You come from the land of Shah Rukh Khan.” In Indonesia, vlogger Fathan Dasopang recreates SRK’s 1990s song sequences with a comic twist. The videos went viral in 2019.



Germany’s affair with Shah Rukh began in 2003, when Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham aired on a local channel, and for years after, Hindi cinema there was simply shorthand for Shah Rukh Khan. In Stuttgart, Rene Lazar, found comfort in Khan’s films after losing his mother. “He inspires me, he makes me happy. If I ever meet him, I’ll probably be speechless… but I’ll say thank you, Mr Khan, for the movies and the hope," Lazar said in a 2017 interview. A 60-year-old German woman has his name tattooed on her neck. “He saved my life,” she said in an Instagram video posted on his video last year, “I was very sick and alone. I watched his movies and interviews, and since then, I’ve been a big, big fan.”

In 2007, SRK even outranked Tom Cruise in a global popularity survey: 3.2 billion people knew Shah Rukh Khan, compared to Cruise’s 2.7 billion. By 2023, readers of TIME Magazine voted him the most influential figure in the world, securing the top position in the TIME100 poll, holding a proof that the phenomenon hasn’t dimmed, only deepened.

Across continents, he’s been decorated with honours: the Padma Shri in India; the Pardo alla Carriera for lifetime achievement in Europe; the Global Diversity Award at Britain’s House of Commons; and the Honorary Doctorate of Letters from La Trobe University in Australia. France named him Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters, one of its highest civilian honours, while Morocco conferred on him its prestigious Medal of Honour. At the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2022, Sharon Stone’s stunned reaction on realising she was seated next to him went viral. “I’m not easily starstruck,” she later said, “but when I saw him, I just...” For Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, Shah Rukh is “the epitome of style and class.” For Titanic director James Cameron, he’s “a giant movie star.” And pop icon Lady Gaga was dazzled by his humility.

'Shah Rukh’s second name is love'

His magic endures because he never stopped being himself

For all the frenzy and fame that follow him across continents, SRK remains disarmingly humble. Beneath the global icon is still the Delhi boy who folds his hands to greet fans, pauses for selfies and hugs, and speaks with the warmth of someone who never forgot where he came from.

Raghav Juyal, who recently worked with him on The Ba**ds of Bollywood, called SRK “a masterclass in mentorship.” “He’s my mentor,” Raghav said in a podcast. “You can’t compare SRK with anyone. He’s #1 and will always be #1. He knows he’s SRK, but there’s not even 1% insecurity in him. That’s why he’s the king.”

Kajol, who has been his co-star in some iconic films (Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham, Baazigar, My Name Is Khan), says the wisest advice about acting came from him: “Baby, you better learn how to act. This habit of giving your all in every shot will wear you out.” When his Kuch Kuch Hota Hai co-star Rani Mukerji was asked how SRK manages to look so effortlessly romantic with her, Kajol, or Juhi Chawla, she smiled and said, “Because Shah Rukh’s name is love; his second name is love.”

Shah Rukh’s generosity extends behind the camera too. Photographer Avinash once revealed that as a producer, SRK gives his technicians blank cheques. “They can fill in whatever amount they want. Whether it’s a DOP, a photographer, or anyone else on set, he trusts them completely. It’s his way of showing respect and valuing their work.”

It’s this mix of power and grace that defines his aura. “The stardom that Salman, Aamir, and I have seen actually humbles you,” SRK said at the Joy Forum in Saudi Arabia. “It makes you grateful – to the forces around you, especially the audience who loves you so much.”



Dil To Pagal Hai... For King Khan

The constant crowd outside Mannat is a testament to his charm and charisma



For 37-year-old Mumbai resident Preeti Kukreti, no trip to Bandra feels complete without a stop at Mannat – the hope always the same: that SRK might step out, even for a fleeting moment, to wave or smile. Last year, even as torrential rain lashed Mumbai, Sher Mohammad, who had come all the way from Jharkhand, stood outside the star’s bungalow, undeterred. Every day, thousands gather by the iconic sea-facing gates, driven by the same dream: to catch a glimpse of the man who defines Bollywood romance.

What makes them wait for hours under the blazing sun or in pouring rain? Fans say it’s his larger-than-life aura, that unmistakable open-arm pose, and above all, the warmth of a man who makes every admirer feel seen.